I'm at the Manhattan criminal courthouse on this frosty morning, where Donald Trump will show up and see if his stormy Daniels cover-up trial begins next month.
Follow @thedailybeast for updates.
Follow @thedailybeast for updates.
As usual, security is tight. There are two TSA-style checkpoints on the way into the 15th floor courtroom.
This pretrial hearing will not be publicly broadcast, so I'll be writing from the courthouse.
This pretrial hearing will not be publicly broadcast, so I'll be writing from the courthouse.
Justice Juan Merchan will begin this at 9:30, and he'll decide whether the trial can start as planned on March 25.
Trump faces 34 felony counts of faking business records to hide his hush money payment--an attempt to save his 2016 presidential campaign from embarrassment.
Trump faces 34 felony counts of faking business records to hide his hush money payment--an attempt to save his 2016 presidential campaign from embarrassment.
DA Alvin Bragg Jr. just walked into the courtroom. His prosecution team is already at the table.
Here's the prosecution team at the table right now:
• Joshua Steinglass, assistant district attorney
• Susan Hoffinger, chief of the investigation division
• Matthew Colangelo, senior counsel to the DA and former DOJ official
• Joshua Steinglass, assistant district attorney
• Susan Hoffinger, chief of the investigation division
• Matthew Colangelo, senior counsel to the DA and former DOJ official
Steinglass was the lead trial lawyer when the DA's office scored a victory against the Trump Organization, which got convicted of tax fraud in 2022.
thedailybeast.com/manhattan-jury…
thedailybeast.com/manhattan-jury…
Trupm just walked into the courtroom with his usual side-to-side slow waddle.
At his side are defense attorneys Susan Necheles, Todd Blanche, and (it appears to be) Emil Bove.
At his side are defense attorneys Susan Necheles, Todd Blanche, and (it appears to be) Emil Bove.
Justice Juan Merchan sat down and is starting.
Here's a little background on his relationship with Trump.
thedailybeast.com/trumps-rough-h…
Here's a little background on his relationship with Trump.
thedailybeast.com/trumps-rough-h…
Breaking news: The judge immediately ruled: Trial starts March 25 and no, he will not dismiss this case.
This hearing is getting heated. Blanche is accusing the judge of "election interference," saying that there's no possible way Trump can prepare for four trials at once.
Counterpoint: This is the only trial anytime in the next three months.
Counterpoint: This is the only trial anytime in the next three months.
The judge has repeatedly told Blanche to stop interrupting him and had to ask him to sit down.
Blanche said he could talk about this "all day," but Merchan won't have it.
Blanche said he could talk about this "all day," but Merchan won't have it.
Funny exchange when Blanche cites "extraordinary media saturation" of Trump news coverage that could taint NYC jury pool. Asks to reconvene in early March.
Judge is baffled.
"You think that the saturation will be gone by then?" he said, eliciting laughter. "When? April? May?"
Judge is baffled.
"You think that the saturation will be gone by then?" he said, eliciting laughter. "When? April? May?"
Ah, when they say the quiet part out loud.
Trump's team doesn't want to ask potential jurors whether they're members of rightwing extremist groups like Proud Boys, Oathkeepers, Three Percenters, etc.
Trump's team doesn't want to ask potential jurors whether they're members of rightwing extremist groups like Proud Boys, Oathkeepers, Three Percenters, etc.
Moving on to other proposed questions, the judge has rejected the idea of screening juror's based on their personal politics.
He not focused on whether someone doesn't like Trump as a person.
"That's not the issue. The issue is whether these people can be fair and impartial."
He not focused on whether someone doesn't like Trump as a person.
"That's not the issue. The issue is whether these people can be fair and impartial."
Minor issue: Steinglass asks the judge to help reconfigure the courtroom's "asymmetric real estate."
The DA has 5 lawyers and a tiny table on the right. Trump's team has a massive table on the left.
The DA has 5 lawyers and a tiny table on the right. Trump's team has a massive table on the left.
The DA's office thinks it'll take 15-17 days to present its case. So, we're looking at a trial that could last until the end of April—or more.
Blanche makes a reasonable request: Pause the trial April 22-26.
It's Passover Jewish holiday, which is observed by some of the lawyers.
But it's *also* NYC schools spring break.
This would be hell for any New York parent—that includes jurors.
Judge doesn't seem receptive.
It's Passover Jewish holiday, which is observed by some of the lawyers.
But it's *also* NYC schools spring break.
This would be hell for any New York parent—that includes jurors.
Judge doesn't seem receptive.
Blanche: "We strenuously object to what's happened in this courtroom... it shouldn't happen in this country."
Judge: "What's your legal argument at this point?"
Blanche: "That *is* my legal argument."
Judge: "That isn't a legal argument. I'll see you March 25."
And... scene.
Judge: "What's your legal argument at this point?"
Blanche: "That *is* my legal argument."
Judge: "That isn't a legal argument. I'll see you March 25."
And... scene.
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