For the first time in history, a jury will hear a criminal case against a former American president. Prosecutors will accuse Donald Trump of a hush money scheme designed to keep potentially damaging stories about his personal life from becoming public.
A Manhattan jury will hear opening statements from both sides in the first of four criminal cases against Trump. The statements will provide insights into the allegations and Trump’s expected defense. Witnesses, including a porn actress and Trump’s former lawyer, are expected to testify.
Trump faces 34 felony counts of falsifying business records and could face up to four years in prison if convicted. A conviction would not prevent him from seeking the presidency again, but it would bar him from pardoning himself. Trump has repeatedly denied any wrongdoing.
The trial coincides with Trump’s presidential campaign, forcing him to balance courtroom appearances with campaign events. He has presented his legal challenges as an asset, fundraising and criticizing the justice system. The jury includes professionals from various backgrounds and will be tasked with setting aside any bias.
The case stems from a payment made to a porn actress, Stormy Daniels, to prevent her from publicly discussing her alleged sexual encounter with Trump before the 2016 election. Prosecutors allege Trump concealed the true nature of the payments in business records, which his lawyers dispute.
To secure a felony conviction, prosecutors must prove Trump falsified business records to conceal a crime. The allegations do not rise to the level of other federal charges against Trump, but the New York case remains significant as the only one likely to proceed to trial before the November election.
