Donald Trump called the hush money case against him an “assault on America” as he arrived in New York court ahead of his historic trial.
The former US president is accused of criminally altering business records to conceal a $130,000 (£104,200) payment to an adult film actress. Stormy Danielsreal name Stephanie Clifford, during her 2016 election campaign.
Ms. Daniels and Karen McDougal, former Playboy modelwho received $150,000 (£120,000), both claim to have had dealings with Trump.
His lawyers say the payment was to save him and his family embarrassment, not to help him win the election.
Speaking upon his arrival at the Manhattan courthouse, Trump said: “Nothing like this has ever happened before. This should never be brought.
“This is an assault on America. An assault on our country. A bankrupt country.
“It’s an attack on a political opponent, that’s all. So I’m very proud to be here.”
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Photo: AP
Trump then continued to attack the US president Joe Biden and repeated claims that the trial is political persecution, saying: “This is a country run by an incompetent man who is very involved in this matter.”
Before the proceedings began, Judge Juan M. Merchan denied the defense’s request to recuse himself from the case.
Defense lawyers had renewed a motion filed last summer, arguing that a media interview Mr. Merchan gave, his daughter’s work at a political consulting firm and his daughter’s social media activity created a conflict of interest which merited recusal.
Photo: Reuters
But Mr Merchan said Trump had “failed to provide” evidence of a conflict and instead relied on a “series of inferences”. [and] insinuations.”
“The defendant’s second request for recusal is denied,” the judge ruled in court.
He added that he would not yet rule on Trump’s request to skip the trial on May 17 in order to attend his son’s graduation.
“It really depends on whether we are on time and where we are in the trial,” Mr. Merchan said.
People are holding up signs against Trump. Photo: Reuters
The trial begins with jury selection, which NBC, Sky News’ US partner network, said could take up to two weeks due to the large number of potential jurors.
The defense and prosecution agreed to a “hybrid” approach to the selection process, in which jurors are asked separate questions – one about conflicts with the trial and the other about whether jurors identify themselves as impartial or impartial.
Mr. Merchan said the process — first requested by Trump’s lawyers — would not delay anything.
About 200 Trump supporters gathered outside the courthouse, along with about 40 others protesting the former president.
Trump and his legal team before jury selection begins. Photo: Reuters
A group of protesters held up a banner that read: “No one is above the law.”
Monday’s proceedings mark the first of four indictments against the former president that will go to trial, and it is the first to take place before this year’s presidential election.
Trump faces two others criminal trials accusing him of trying to overturn his 2020 election defeat to Mr. Biden, and another that accuses him of mishandling classified information after leaving the White House in 2021.
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He has pleaded not guilty to all charges against him. No other former U.S. president has ever faced criminal charges.
Michael CohenTrump’s former personal lawyer, said he coordinated with Trump the payments to Ms. Daniels and Ms. McDougal.
Cohen pleaded guilty to campaign finance violations in 2018 in connection with the payments and was sentenced to three years in prison. He was placed under house arrest after a year.
