Donald Trump arrived at a Manhattan courthouse on Monday, April 22, for opening statements in his high-stakes criminal trial, the first ever of a former president, with proceedings set to run in parallel with his attempt to retake the White House.
Security was tight Monday after a man set himself on fire last week outside the courthouse in an unrelated but gruesome incident.
Trump faces 34 counts of falsifying business records as part of a scheme to pay $130,000 in "hush money" to Daniels to ensure an account of their alleged tryst did not get published ahead of the 2016 presidential election. The alleged crime is less significant than the indictments in three other investigations revolving around Trump's attack on the 2020 election – which the Republican lost to Democrat Biden – and his hoarding of secret documents. Trump could face jail time in the current case, although a fine or probation is more likely, analysts say.
Monday is expected to see each camp lay out their case to jurors and mount preemptive attacks on the opposing side's witnesses.
Trump has railed against the case, particularly what he calls the "very unfair" partial gag order imposed by Judge Juan Merchan to prevent him from using his media presence to attack witnesses, prosecutors and relatives of court staff. He ranted again overnight, taking to his Truth Social platform to decry the "Corrupt and Highly Conflicted Judge" overseeing the case.
"It is a sham that should not have been brought, except to try and damage Biden's political opponent, me," Trump wrote in capital letters. "See you tomorrow morning!"
A hearing also will be held Tuesday at which Merchan will decide if Trump is already in contempt of court due to his outbursts during jury selection. "We are still considering our options... as far as what sanctions we will be asking for," prosecutor Josh Steinglass said last week.
Merchan chastised Trump for apparently muttering and gesturing within earshot of prospective jurors last week. "I will not have any jurors intimidated in this courtroom," he said.