Trump’s Bid to Delay Hush Money Trial Denied by New York Judge
Trump's fate in the hush money case, along with the multitude of other legal challenges he faces, hangs in the balance as the trial date approaches.
New York, 9 April 2024: A New York judge has denied former U.S. President Donald Trump’s emergency request to postpone a criminal trial concerning hush money payments to an adult film star Stormy Daniels during the 2016 presidential campaign. The decision by Associate Justice Lizbeth Gonzalez from an appellate court in Manhattan comes after Trump’s legal team sought to delay the trial indefinitely and change its venue.
What Actually is Hush Money Case?
The controversy surrounding the hush money payments dates back to Donald Trump’s presidential campaign in 2016. It emerged that Trump’s former personal lawyer, Michael Cohen, facilitated a $130,000 payment to adult film star Stormy Daniels just before the election. The payment was allegedly made to silence Daniels about an alleged affair she had with Trump in 2006. This payment was accompanied by a nondisclosure agreement intended to prevent Daniels from publicly discussing the affair.
In 2018, Michael Cohen pleaded guilty to campaign finance violations related to the hush money payments. He admitted that he made the payment to Daniels at the direction of Trump and with the intention of influencing the outcome of the presidential election. Cohen’s guilty plea raised questions about whether the payments constituted illegal contributions to Trump’s campaign and whether Trump was aware of or involved in the scheme. Trump initially denied knowledge of the payment or the affair. However, he later acknowledged reimbursing Cohen for the hush-money payment, claiming it was a private transaction and not a violation of campaign finance laws.
The hush money payments and the attempts to conceal them raised questions about potential campaign finance violations and whether they constituted an illegal contribution to Trump’s presidential campaign. The investigations into this matter were part of broader scrutiny into Trump’s conduct and the actions of his associates during the 2016 election campaign.
The controversy surrounding the hush money payments added to the legal challenges and controversies that marked Trump’s presidency. It also fueled debates about presidential accountability and the ethical conduct of public officials.
Legal Battle
The trial, seen as a landmark case involving a former U.S. president, is scheduled to commence on April 15 with jury selection, as confirmed by Judge Juan Merchan. Despite Trump’s attempts to challenge the proceedings, Judge Merchan has continued preparations for the trial, addressing issues related to jury selection in a recent communication with counsel from both sides.
Trump, who was arraigned in early April 2023, faces charges of falsifying business records to facilitate “hush-money” payments to adult film star Stormy Daniels, aimed at suppressing allegations of a past sexual encounter with Trump during his presidential campaign. Despite facing 34 criminal charges related to these payments, Trump maintains his innocence and has pleaded not guilty.
The legal battle surrounding the trial has intensified, with Trump’s legal maneuvers facing skepticism from legal experts. His attempts to challenge the trial venue and delay proceedings have been met with doubt over their potential success. Legal commentator Harry Litman highlighted the unlikelihood of Trump’s latest legal tactic, comparing it to previous efforts by the former president to alter legal proceedings.
Future Implications:
Trump faces a myriad of legal challenges beyond the hush money trial, including 40 criminal charges in Florida related to the retention of classified information after leaving office, and 14 charges across Georgia and Washington D.C. for his alleged attempts to overturn the 2020 election. Additionally, he faces civil cases in New York concerning tax fraud and defamation.
Despite Trump’s claims of political persecution and attempts to delay legal proceedings until after the presidential election, legal experts suggest that the trial is likely to proceed as scheduled. Judge Merchan has already rejected previous attempts to delay the trial based on claims of presidential immunity, indicating a firm stance on the matter.
As the legal battle unfolds, all eyes remain on the courtroom in Manhattan, where the trial of a former U.S. president will mark a significant moment in American legal history. Trump’s fate in the hush money case, along with the multitude of other legal challenges he faces, hangs in the balance as the trial date approaches.
