Hush Money Trial: Jurors Begin Deliberations in First Criminal Case Against a Former President
On Wednesday, jurors in the hush money trial involving former President Donald Trump are set to begin deliberations after receiving instructions from the judge. This marks the first criminal case against a former American president, making it a significant moment in history.
During the closing arguments, prosecutor Joshua Steinglass accused Trump of attempting to deceive voters in the 2016 presidential election through a hush money scheme. The purpose of this scheme was to silence potentially damaging stories that could have negatively impacted his campaign. Steinglass described the case as a conspiracy and cover-up at its core.
In contrast, Trump’s lawyer, Todd Blanche, vehemently defended his client, referring to the star prosecution witness as the “greatest liar of all time.” Blanche called for an acquittal on all charges and questioned the credibility of both Stormy Daniels, the adult film actress involved, and Michael Cohen, the Trump attorney who made the payments.
The trial revolves around 34 felony counts of falsifying business records, which could carry a prison sentence of up to four years. Trump has pleaded not guilty and maintained his innocence throughout the proceedings.
As the jurors deliberate, they have several options. They can choose to convict Trump on all counts, acquit him entirely, or deliver a mixed verdict where he is found guilty on some charges but not others. In the event of a deadlock, Judge Juan M. Merchan may declare a mistrial.
One of the central issues in the trial is the credibility of witnesses, particularly Stormy Daniels and Michael Cohen. Steinglass addressed concerns about witness credibility by emphasizing that Daniels’ story contains details that align with reality, reinforcing Trump’s motive to silence her. He also highlighted that the hush money scheme was essential for Trump to maintain his strategy of deflecting criticism following the release of the infamous 2005 “Access Hollywood” recording.
Blanche attempted to downplay the significance of the recording, stating that it was not a catastrophic event. He also reassured the jurors that the case did not solely rely on Cohen’s testimony, acknowledging that while he may not be likable, he possesses valuable information about the events in question.
The charges against Trump primarily revolve around reimbursements he signed for Cohen’s payments, which were falsely labeled as legal expenses. Prosecutors argue that this fraudulent labeling was meant to conceal the purpose of the hush money transaction and interfere with the 2016 election. Defense lawyers contend that Cohen did legitimate legal work for Trump and his family.
Blanche passionately attacked Cohen during his closing arguments, labeling him as the “GLOAT” (greatest liar of all time) and emphasizing his bias and motivation to fabricate a false story. To secure a conviction, jurors must be convinced beyond a reasonable doubt that prosecutors have proven their case.
Overall, the trial has delved into seamy discussions about sex and tabloid practices. However, at its core, the charges focus on the reimbursements Trump signed and their fraudulent nature. The jury’s decision will determine whether a former president can be held criminally accountable for his actions, making this trial a historic moment in American politics.
