Staff Reports
Former President Donald Trump recently expressed frustration over the timing of his New York criminal trial on Truth Social, a platform he helped create. The trial was set to start with jury selection scheduled for March 25. However, due to motions filed by Trump’s legal team, the trial was delayed until Monday. Initially, Trump’s lawyers requested a 90-day delay to thoroughly examine the large volume of documents provided by federal prosecutors. Ultimately, they agreed to a 30-day delay in negotiations with Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg.
Trump took issue with the timeline, calling out Judge Juan Merchan as “perhaps the most highly conflicted Judge in New York State history.” He claimed that the 30-day period was insufficient for his legal team to review the extensive documentation, alleging that the district attorney had concealed and withheld information from them. Additionally, Trump questioned the timing of the trial, suggesting that it was strategically launched during his presidential campaign.
Trump laments ‘short period of time’ to prep for hush money trial https://t.co/GPe6zsG1Xm via @dcexaminer
— ?PalmTreePatriot? (@FLMomNYGirl) April 15, 2024
The former president is facing 34 felony counts related to accusations of making hush money payments to multiple women who alleged affairs with him in 2018. Notably, former Trump attorney Michael Cohen and adult film actress Stormy Daniels are expected to testify in the trial. According to Daniels, she was one of the women who received hush money payments from Trump.
While Trump is embroiled in numerous felony charges nationwide, the New York trial holds particular significance as it could potentially conclude before the 2024 elections, in which Trump is anticipated to be the Republican nominee challenging President Joe Biden. Furthermore, Judge Merchan imposed a gag order on Trump, prohibiting him from discussing court personnel, their family members, or the judge’s own daughter, Loren Merchan, who has affiliations with the Democratic party.
Trump’s frustrations with the trial’s timing and the handling of evidence by the district attorney reflect his concerns about the legal proceedings and their potential impact on his political future. As the trial unfolds, it remains a focal point for both Trump and his political adversaries.
