In a series of last-minute attempts, former President Donald Trump has been unsuccessful in getting a New York appeals court to delay his upcoming hush money trial. Trump’s lawyers argued that he should be on the campaign trail rather than defending himself in court. However, Justice Ellen Gesmer swiftly rejected their request, marking another loss for the former president. With the ruling in place, jury selection is set to begin next Monday.
Trump’s hush money case is the first of his four criminal indictments to go to trial and would be the first criminal trial ever of a former president. His lawyers have been fighting to remove the trial judge and challenge his pretrial rulings, which they believe have hindered Trump’s defense. One of their arguments is that the trial should be postponed until the Supreme Court rules on an immunity claim raised in another criminal case against Trump. They claim that some evidence in the hush money case could be excluded if the Supreme Court rules in their favor.
However, Judge Juan Merchan, who is presiding over the case, declared this request untimely, stating that Trump’s lawyers had many opportunities to raise the immunity issue before they finally did so. The appellate chief for the Manhattan district attorney’s office echoed this sentiment, arguing that Trump’s lawyers should not be rewarded with a delay at the last minute after having months to raise the issue.
During the emergency hearing, Trump’s lawyer Emil Bove emphasized the importance of the trial and its historic nature. He argued that staying the trial at this point would be incredibly disruptive and that there is a powerful public interest in ensuring that the trial proceeds.
Gesmer presided over the hearing in an unconventional setting – a court basement lobby – due to the regular courtroom being in use. Throughout the hearing, Trump’s lawyers also raised other complaints, including their request for Merchan to step aside from the case due to bias and a conflict of interest. They accused Merchan of favoring Democrats, citing his daughter’s work for a firm that has represented President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris. However, the appellate chief dismissed these recusal arguments as meritless.
In addition to the delay requests, Trump’s lawyers took issue with several other matters, including a protocol put in place by Merchan to manage court filings and a gag order that bars Trump from making public comments about the case. They argued that these restrictions infringe on Trump’s First Amendment rights and hinder his ability to campaign.
Despite their efforts, Trump’s lawyers have been repeatedly denied their requests for a delay. The trial will proceed as scheduled, and Trump will face the charges of falsifying his company’s records to hide payments made to his former lawyer and fixer, Michael Cohen. Cohen’s activities included paying off porn actor Stormy Daniels to suppress her claims of an extramarital sexual encounter with Trump.
As the trial approaches, the outcome will not only have legal implications but also political ones. The trial will set a precedent for future cases involving former presidents and their accountability for their actions while in office. It remains to be seen how Trump’s defense will unfold and what impact this trial will have on the political landscape.
In conclusion, Donald Trump’s request for a delay in his hush money trial has been rejected by a New York appeals court, marking another loss for the former president. Despite his lawyers’ arguments, the trial will proceed as scheduled, making it the first criminal trial ever of a former president. As the trial approaches, the stakes are high, with potential legal and political implications. All eyes will be on the courtroom as the trial unfolds and its outcome is determined.
