Former United States President Donald J. Trump has sat in courtrooms facing impeachment and investigations into his conduct several times over the past eight years. On April 5th, 2023, Trump was forced to confront a similar challenge. He was arrested and charged with 34 counts of falsifying business records and concealing information prior to the 2016 presidential election.
Following the controversy with adult film star, Stormy Daniels, Trump reportedly paid $130,000 to conceal potentially damaging information. These payments were dispatched through Trump’s previous attorney, Michael Cohen. In order to remain private, Trump altered business payments to a number of recipients and disguised them as charges for legal services. In the United States, this constitutes a felony. Donald Trump has since initiated a lawsuit against Cohen for allegedly breaching his contract. The supposed hush-money payments were given to adult film star, Stormy Daniels, Playboy model Karen McDougal, and a doorman that allegedly had information about a child that Trump fathered outside of his marriages.
Appearing in court several times, Donald Trump has pleaded not guilty to all 34 counts. Soon after, he delivered a message that the “fake case was brought only to interfere with the upcoming 2024 election and it should be dropped immediately.” Those in the Republican party have argued that regardless of Trump’s beliefs and attitudes, the case is not strong enough to hold up in federal court. Democrats remain hopeful that Donald Trump will be indicted.
The attorney responsible for these charges is Manhattan district attorney, Alvin Bragg. Bragg is the first attorney to bring charges against a former United States President. In respect to this, Bragg has stated, “everyone stands equal under the law.” He suggests that there is no value of money and power that will release him from these charges. This is monumental for United States history considering that no United States President has had to answer to criminal charges in a court of law. These charges also bring into question the election of Donald Trump in 2016. Had the voting public been aware of allegedly damaging behavior by Trump, it may have swayed voting decisions.
Prosecutors have expressed worry about Donald Trump and his social media presence during this case, as it may sway jurors or judges and bring about a mistrial. Since charges became public, he has posted incendiary comments about Alvin Bragg, calling him an “animal.” His son, Donald Trump Jr., has also posted a picture of a judge’s daughter claiming that she was a campaign worker for the Biden-Harris campaign. Donald Trump and those in his circle have made several attempts to invalidate the charges against him, and convince the public that this trial is all an elaborate scheme to sabotage his 2024 Presidential campaign. In court, however, the judge warned Trump against “making statements that are likely to incite violence and civil unrest.”
In the following months, it is likely that we will witness complex legal proceedings that will significantly impact the political future of the United States. The outcome of this case depends on the evidence presented, attorney arguments, and ultimately, the decision of the judge and jury. Trump’s legal team must file any and all motions before August 8, 2023, to which, the prosecution must counter by September 19, 2023. The next in-person court hearing is scheduled for December 4th.