“This is a process that is being observed and practiced all over the world. . . They practice it, they analyze it. All the legal experts, all the jurists have said that this process is a disgrace,” he added.
Trump arrived at the courthouse in Lower Manhattan for the second day of a trial that is expected to last at least six weeks as he battles 34 counts of falsifying business records. The jury variety will continue on Tuesday, a task that is expected to last at least a week.
LIVE UPDATES: TRUMP HUSH MONEY TRIAL ENTERS DAY TWO AS JURY SELECTION CONTINUES
Former President Donald Trump leaves Trump Tower for Manhattan Criminal Court, Tuesday, April 16, 2024, in New York City. Trump will return to court as a judge over fights to locate a panel of juries that will make a decision on whether the former president is guilty of fees from criminals who allege he falsified business records to cover up a sex scandal in the 2016 campaign. (AP Photo/Noah K. Murray)
Ninety-six prospective jurors came into the courtroom on Monday, where they were asked a series of questions about whether they could serve as independent jurors. More than 50 of the 96 applicants were fired for admitting they might not have sat on the panel at all. , while a handful of others were fired for other issues.
The court is expected to review a panel of about 500 jurors before settling on 12 New Yorkers and a handful of alternates from the group.
Former President Donald Trump awaits the start of deliberations on the second day of the jury meeting in Manhattan Criminal Court, Tuesday, April 16, 2024, in New York City. Donald Trump returned to the courtroom Tuesday to deliver judgment on the struggles to locate a panel of jurors that will make a decision on whether the former president is guilty of felon fees that They allege he falsified business records to cover up a sex scandal in the 2016 campaign. (AP Photo/Mary Altaffer, pool)
PRESIDING JUDGE IN TRUMP HUSH MONEY CASE REFUSES TO REUSE
The origins of the lawsuit can be traced back to the 2016 election cycle, when Trump’s former lawyer Michael Cohen paid $130,000 to former porn actor Stormy Daniels to allegedly silence his allegations that she had an extramarital affair with Trump in 2006.
Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg arrives at Manhattan Criminal Court, Tuesday, April 16, 2024, in New York City. Donald Trump returns to a New York courtroom Tuesday as he rules judgment on struggles to locate a panel of juries that will make a decision on whether the former president is guilty of criminal charges alleging he falsified business records to cover up a sex scandal in the 2016 campaign. (AP Photo/Yuki Iwamura)
Trump has denied having an affair with Daniels and has also pleaded guilty to the charges.
Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg filed the indictment last year. Prosecutors say the Trump Organization reimbursed Cohen for the payment to Daniels and falsely recorded the bills as legal fees. Prosecutors are running to prove that Trump falsified records with the intent to dedicate or cover up a second offense, which is a felony.
Trump calls Hush Money trial ‘an assault on America’ as case officially begins
Former President Donald Trump, from left, arrives at Manhattan Criminal Court Tuesday, April 16, 2024, in New York City. Donald Trump returned to a New York courtroom Tuesday to deliver judgment on struggles to locate a panel of juries that will make a decision on whether the former president is guilty of criminal charges alleging he falsified business records to cover up a sex scandal during the 2016 campaign. (AP Photo/Yuki Iwamura)
“I paid a lawyer and marked it as a legal payment account. I didn’t know that. I marked it as legal payments. That is precisely what Array is, and you are accused of this?”Trump said Tuesday.
Trump has been lashing out at the president, Judge Merchan, for months, adding on Truth Social, where he described him as “suffering from an acute case of Trump disorder syndrome. “Trump’s legal team had also sought Merchan’s recusal from the case, alleging that Merchan’s daughter worked as a Democratic consultant. The judge denied the move on Monday.
Judge Juan Merchan poses for a photograph in his office Thursday, March 14, 2024, in New York City. A dozen Manhattans will soon be the first Americans to see a former president charged with a crime. The jury swing is set to begin Monday in the secret trial of former President Donald Trump. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig) (AP Photos)
“There is no timetable here,” Merchan said Monday before rejecting the request for recusal.
TRUMP TRIAL: JURY SELECTION RESUMES AFTER POTENTIAL JURORS EXCUSED FOR SAYING THEY CAN’T BE IMPARTIAL
“We must respect the law,” he added. “We have to get justice. “
Former President Donald Trump awaits the start of deliberations on the second day of the jury meeting in Manhattan Criminal Court, Tuesday, April 16, 2024, in New York City. Donald Trump returned to the courtroom Tuesday to deliver judgment on the struggles to locate a panel of jurors that will make a decision on whether the former president is guilty of felon fees that They allege he falsified business records to cover up a sex scandal in the 2016 campaign. (AP Photo/Mary Altaffer, pool)
Trump’s legal team had also asked Merchan last year to recuse himself, pointing to his daughter’s paintings and previous small donations Merchan had made to Democratic reasons for the 2020 election. The ruling also denied the recusal request, mentioning that a judicial ethics notice committee had decided that her daughter’s interests would not affect her ability to oversee the case.
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The trial is expected to last about six weeks. The court will not meet on Wednesday, April 29 or Monday, April 29.
Fox News Digital’s Brooke Singman contributed to this report.