“The most interesting witness will be Cohen”: What consequences could Trump’s historic criminal trial bring?

This Monday, the 15th, the republican tycoon donald trumponce again starred in a historic event in U.S by becoming the first former president to sit in the dock during a criminal trial.

TO LOOK: 6 keys to historic first criminal trial against Donald Trump beginning in New York

Wearing a blue suit, white shirt and red tie, and with a small American flag pin on his lapel, the 45th president of the United States appeared before Judge Juan Merchan, who in the coming weeks is expected to decide the degree of responsibility Trump had in the payment of US$130,000 to former porn actress Stormy Daniels in exchange for her silence about an alleged extramarital relationship during the 2016 presidential campaign that ended up taking him to the White House.

“This is an attack on the United States. Nothing like this has ever happened“Trump said upon arriving at the courthouse.

The payment itself does not represent a crime; However, prosecutors believe this would have been hidden as legal expenses from the Trump Organization. To carry out this operation, the then candidate would have to falsify 34 accounting documents from the family company and camouflage the return of the money to Michael Cohen, then Trump’s lawyer and trusted man who became his sworn enemy and will be one of the main prosecution witnesses. .

In short, Judge Merchan must determine the degree of knowledge that Trump had about this illicit movement. If he is found guilty, the tycoon could face a sentence of up to four years in prison. The first day of the process was dedicated to choosing the jury (twelve members and six substitutes).

“Although we have never seen a former president charged in a criminal case, it is not something that completely surprises us. Furthermore, it has a less shocking effect because Trump was a media figure before being a politician. In terms of the media effect it has on society, we have seen that it does not affect it very negatively, but it seems to give it arguments to be able to victimize itself.“, comments on this to The trade political analyst, professor at UCLA and commentator for CNN en Español Octavio Pescador.

In this sense, once again Trump seems invulnerable to the judicial scandals against him, although the expert considers that an important factor this time will be his former ally Cohen.

“Where there might be something very interesting is in Michael Cohen. Of all of them, the most interesting witness is him because he knows everything about him, he was by his side for decades. Maybe through him we will know something that we didn’t know until now.”, says Pescador.

True to his style, the former ruler has dedicated himself to disqualifying the case against him, ensuring that it is “a witch hunt” seeking to prevent his return to the White House and calling Judge Merchan “corrupt”Through posts on his Truth Social network.

The judge of Colombian origin repeated this Monday that he will not abandon the case, a request presented on several occasions by Trump’s defense.

“Our enemies want to take away my freedom because I will never let them take away theirs.“Trump told his supporters.

“I believe that they (Trump and his defense) will try to extend this process as long as possible. If they are lucky enough to have one of the jurors disagree, known as a “hung jury,” they will have to start all over again. There are many resources I could still turn to to extend this”, says Pescador.

Todd Blanche, Trump’s lawyer, assured that his client “wants to be present in everything”The trial, which is projected to last between six and eight weeks.

In this regard, Judge Merchan read Trump a legal provision known as the ‘Parker warning’ that recognizes his right to appear at trial as a defendant but adds that he may be arrested if “interrupts”The process, as broadcast on social media by several journalists present in the room.

The provision, which Trump consented to, indicates that the defendant can be excluded from the courtroom and arrested for misconduct, after which the trial can continue in his absence, and also provides for his arrest if he does not appear there when necessary . .

The Stormy Daniels case is just one of four criminal trials facing the former head of state, although it is most likely the only one whose verdict will be known before the November 5 elections, when Trump will face the Democrat again. Joe Biden for the presidency of the United States.

Classified documents

In August 2022, the FBI conducted a search at Mar-a-Lago, Trump’s Florida mansion. During the operation, authorities found dozens of boxes stored in different rooms, including the bathroom, containing around 13,000 official documents – 300 of them confidential – that the former president had stolen without government authorization. The White House.

This led to an indictment of dozens of counts against trumpmainly for deliberately withholding national defense information, which could lead to him serving up to 20 years in prison.

The trial is scheduled to begin May 20 in Florida federal court.

Attack on the Capitol

This legal process is taking place in the courts of Washington DC, where the former president is accused of trying to reverse the results of the 2020 elections and of encouraging the infamous assault on the Capitol that took place during the ratification of Biden’s victory at the Legislative headquarters. in January 2021.

The charges against him could carry a maximum of 55 years in prison. The process should have started on March 4, but Trump’s defense managed to postpone it until the Supreme Court determines whether he is protected by face-to-face immunity during the events or can be tried for them.

The court is expected to resolve the matter on April 25, while the trial is unlikely to be held before the November elections.

Attempt to reverse results

Also in the context of the 2020 elections, Trump is accused before a state court in Georgia of trying to reverse the results that gave victory to Democrat Biden in that southern state. The tycoon is also accused of having formed a mafia organization with 18 accomplices for this purpose.

However, a controversy arising from an alleged romantic relationship between Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis and Nathan Wade, a subordinate she hired to handle the case against Trump, sparked parallel litigation that led to Wade’s resignation and delayed the process.

There are no clear dates for the next stages of the trial.

Source: Elcomercio

jack

I am Jack Morton and I work in 24 News Recorder. I mostly cover world news and I have also authored 24 news recorder. I find this work highly interesting and it allows me to keep up with current events happening around the world.