Item 1 of 2 Former U.S. President Donald Trump smiles to the jury pool as he is introduced to them, at the beginning of his trial before Justice Juan Merchan over charges that he falsified business records to conceal money paid to silence porn star Stormy Daniels in 2016, in Manhattan state court in New York City, U.S. April 15, 2024 in this courtroom sketch. REUTERS/Jane Rosenberg/Pool/File PhotoFormer U.S.
"This is an outrage," Trump said before entering the New York state courtroom on Monday. "This is political persecution." Rick Hasen, a professor of law at the UCLA School of Law and a critic of Trump's efforts to overturn his 2020 election defeat, called the hush money charges against Trump "so minor" they risk undermining the importance of the more serious cases he faces, including state and federal charges related to his alleged efforts to overturn the 2020 result."And for his supporters, Trump has set up a no-lose situation," Hasen said.
The case is the first of the four criminal indictments Trump faces to go to trial. It is unclear whether the other three will begin before the Nov. 5 election. In New York, falsifying business records is a misdemeanor. Bragg is arguing that Trump committed a felony by falsifying those records to further or conceal another crime - by violating election interference or tax laws.