Former President Donald Trump is currently facing a historic criminal trial in Manhattan, which marks the first time a former U.S. president has faced criminal prosecution. The trial involves 34 felony counts of falsifying business records to cover up a sex scandal. Behind the scenes, the U.S. Secret Service and other law enforcement agencies are grappling with the unprecedented scenario of potentially having to protect Trump in prison if he is convicted.
On Tuesday, Trump’s lawyers defended him at a hearing, claiming that he merely reposted what other people said. However, the judge pointed out that Trump had embellished the comments of others. Trump faces up to $1,000 per violation or up to 30 days in jail for violating a gag order placed on him in the hush money case.
Prosecutors also revealed that Trump’s discussions with Steve Bannon are relevant to the “primary” underlying crime that elevates the charges Trump faces from a misdemeanor to a felony.
In a separate development, David Pecker, the former publisher of the National Enquirer, testified on Tuesday that he coordinated with Trump’s then-lawyer, Michael Cohen, to buy up damaging stories about Trump during the 2016 presidential campaign. Pecker testified that he immediately notified Cohen about a story from a former National Enquirer editor-in-chief, Dylan Howard, that Trump had fathered an illegitimate child with a maid at Trump Tower. Cohen denied the tale but promised to investigate. He eventually told Howard to buy the story and prevent its publication.
Pecker also testified that he learned about another story from a Playboy model who claimed to have had a romantic relationship with Trump for a year. Trump’s eyes remained closed during both testimonies, according to observers.
The trial is ongoing, and it remains to be seen what the outcome will be. However, the fact that a former U.S. president is facing criminal prosecution is a significant event in American history.
