Trump trial not a referendum on his presidency, prosecutor tells prospective jurors

ONE OF FOUR INDICTMENTS

The hush money case is one of four criminal indictments he faces, which stem from alleged mishandling of classified information and trying to overturn his 2020 loss to Biden. He has pleaded not guilty in those cases, which may not go to trial before the election.

Though the New York case is centred on events that took place more than seven years ago, prosecutors are trying to hold Trump accountable for more recent conduct as well.

On Monday, they asked Justice Juan Merchan to fine Trump US$1,000 for each of three social media posts this month that criticized Daniels and Michael Cohen, Trump’s former fixer who is expected to be a prominent witness in the trial.

Under a gag order imposed by Merchan, Trump is barred from making statements about witnesses, court staff and family members that are meant to interfere with the case.

Trump’s lawyer Todd Blanche said the former president was only responding to their criticism of him.

“A finding of criminal contempt, imposition of sanctions, and stark warnings from this Court are the minimum remedies necessary to achieve this indispensable objective,” prosecutors wrote in a court filing made public on Tuesday.

Merchan said he will consider the fines on Apr 23.

Jury selection is expected to consume the rest of the week, and the trial is scheduled to last through at least May.