The trial of former President Donald Trump in Manhattan is not going to go well for him, signs already indicate.
OPINION: This article may contain commentary which reflects the author’s own views.
During the first week of the historic criminal trial, Judge Juan Merchan reprimanded former President Trump’s defense attorneys for challenging his decisions.
Merchan criticized the frequent filing of pre-motion letters and emphasized that the trial would proceed with opening arguments on Monday as planned. He insisted that the defense must accept his rulings and refrain from further attempts to delay the trial.
“The defense is literally targeting every singe decision…There comes a point where you have to accept my rulings. The court’s decision is clear,” Merchan said, according to Fox News. “We’re going to have opening statements on Monday morning. This trial is starting.”
When Trump’s attorney, Susan Necheles, requested the names of next week’s witnesses, Merchan asserted that the trial would not be delayed, regardless of whether the names were provided.
“Whether you get the name or not, you’re not going to delay the trial,” he barked, the outlet reported.
Despite the prosecution’s reluctance to share witness names, they agreed to disclose one name to the defense on Sunday night. Additionally, they warned that if Trump were to disclose the witness’s name on social media, they would withhold further information for the rest of the trial.
As Merchan prepared to adjourn, Trump attempted to rise from his seat, prompting Merchan to instruct him to remain seated, to which Trump complied.
“Sir, can you please have a seat?” Merchan said.
On Tuesday, The Associated Press reported that the first seven jurors were chosen to serve in Donald Trump’s New York criminal trial. The selection process is ongoing to form a panel of 12 jurors and six alternates deemed impartial toward the former U.S. president.
The judge also cautioned lawyers against any attempts to intimidate potential jurors, noting an instance where Trump, the Republican presidential candidate in the upcoming Nov. 5 election, was heard muttering during the questioning of a prospective member.
Trump is facing 34 felony charges for allegedly falsifying business records to conceal a hush money payment to pornographic actress Stormy Daniels, just before the 2016 election. Daniels asserts that she engaged in a sexual encounter with Trump approximately a decade earlier.