The trial for Trump’s hush money case commences with no jurors selected on the first day.

The trial for Donald Trump’s hush money case has begun, marking the first criminal trial of any former U.S. president. The trial revolves around charges of falsifying business records to suppress stories about Trump’s sex life. Despite high anticipation, no jurors were selected on the first day, and the selection process is set to resume the following day.

The trial presents a unique situation as Trump simultaneously campaigns for the presidency while facing criminal charges. Throughout the past year, he has portrayed himself as a victim of politically motivated prosecutions aimed at derailing his candidacy. Trump’s defense team has labeled the trial as a “scam” and a “political witch hunt.”

This trial serves as a reckoning for Trump, who already faces three other indictments, ranging from hoarding classified documents to plotting to overturn an election. However, the political implications of this particular case are less clear, as a conviction would not prevent him from running for president again. Additionally, the allegations in this case are seen as less severe compared to the other charges.

The process of selecting jurors is proving to be a challenging task due to Trump’s notoriety and the ongoing presidential election. Only about a third of the initial 96 potential jurors remained after several were excused for various reasons, including their inability to be fair and impartial. One female juror was dismissed after expressing strong opinions about Trump, despite initially indicating she could be neutral in deciding the case.

Judge Juan Merchan stressed the importance of selecting jurors who can set aside personal biases and make decisions based on evidence and the law. Trump’s defense team has claimed that Democratic prosecutors are weaponizing law enforcement to impede his presidential run.

Trump has used the trial as an opportunity to criticize judges and prosecutors, referring to it as “political persecution” and an “assault on America.” The judge denied a defense request to recuse himself from the case due to a claimed conflict of interest. Prosecutors have also asked the judge to fine Trump for violating a gag order through his social media posts.

The charges against Trump stem from payments made to his former lawyer, Michael Cohen, to reimburse him for hush money paid to adult film actor Stormy Daniels. Prosecutors argue that these payments were falsely recorded as legal fees to conceal their true purpose. Trump’s defense maintains that the payments were legitimate legal expenses, not a cover-up.

This trial represents a significant moment for Trump, who has spent decades involved in lawsuits but now faces the possibility of up to four years in prison if convicted. His defense team has attempted to have the case dismissed or delayed, citing concerns about the jury pool’s potential bias and requesting a change of venue.

Manhattan prosecutors argue that the publicity surrounding the case is primarily due to Trump’s own comments. They believe that fair and impartial jurors can be found among Manhattan’s population of 1.4 million adults. The prospective jurors will remain anonymous throughout the trial, with their names kept secret from everyone except the prosecutors, Trump, and their legal teams.

As the trial progresses, the focus will shift towards selecting a jury that can render an unbiased decision based on the evidence presented. Both the prosecution and defense will have the opportunity to challenge potential jurors based on specific criteria. The trial will continue to be closely watched as it unfolds against the backdrop of a highly contested presidential election.

In summary, Donald Trump’s hush money trial has begun with no jurors selected on the first day. The trial presents a significant moment for Trump, who simultaneously campaigns for the presidency while facing criminal charges. The process of selecting jurors has proven challenging due to Trump’s notoriety and the ongoing election. Throughout the trial, Trump has criticized the proceedings as politically motivated persecution. The charges against him center on payments made to Michael Cohen to suppress stories about his sex life. As the trial continues, both sides will strive to select a fair and impartial jury to determine the outcome of this historic case.