In the ongoing criminal case involving former President Trump’s hush money payments in New York City, Judge Juan Merchan has confirmed that the trial will proceed as planned on March 25, despite the defense’s request for a delay. Trump’s defense attorney, Todd Blanche, sought to postpone the trial, but Judge Merchan denied Trump’s motion to dismiss and stated that jury selection would commence on the scheduled date. Trump, present in the courtroom, arrived at the lower Manhattan courthouse before 9 a.m. ET.
Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg has leveled 34 felony charges against Trump for allegedly falsifying business records. The charges stem from accusations that Trump manipulated Trump Organization records to conceal payments made to his former lawyer, Michael Cohen. These payments were purportedly used to suppress stories about Trump’s alleged extramarital affairs with Stormy Daniels and Karen McDougal just before the 2016 election. Trump has entered a plea of not guilty to all charges and maintains his innocence. Blanche, Trump’s attorney, contends that the payments to Cohen were legitimate transactions from Trump’s personal accounts.
Blanche argued in pretrial motions that Trump’s use of personal funds to compensate his attorney does not constitute falsification of Trump Organization records. Judge Merchan, overseeing the case, scheduled a hearing last year to address pretrial motions and finalize the trial’s start date, which remains set for March 25.
