Donald Trump found himself in a downtown Manhattan courtroom that was noticeably empty compared to his previous court appearances. This served as a reminder to Trump that he is now a criminal defendant for the first time. The room was initially half-empty, but by the afternoon, it was filled with 96 jurors who may be part of the jury that will hear the hush money trial against Trump.
During the court session, Trump spoke only three times, mainly acknowledging his rights as a criminal defendant. Throughout the day, he interacted with his attorneys, often whispering to them and sharing notes. He also closed his eyes at times as the judge questioned each prospective juror. Trump spoke to the press outside the courtroom after the session, expressing his frustration at not being allowed to attend certain events despite the judge not ruling on the matter.
With just six reporters and one sketch artist present in the courtroom, a protective pool provided reports to the numerous journalists watching from an overflow room. Trump sat with his attorneys at the defendant’s table and closely followed the evidence presented by the district attorney’s office. This included snippets of his past depositions and tweets about his former fixer, Michael Cohen.
During the jury selection process, most jurors did not visibly react upon seeing Trump as the defendant in the case. However, one juror smiled upon entering the courtroom and seeing Trump. As Judge Merchan addressed the prospective jurors, Trump turned around to watch them. Trump also had to pass by Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg, who brought the case against him, as he entered and exited the courtroom.
Trump will return to court the following day for further questioning of prospective jurors. By the end of Monday, 32 jurors remained in the pool from the initial 96, and more may be brought in on Tuesday. This trial marks the first criminal trial of a former president, and the prospective jurors will play a crucial role in determining whether to convict Trump.
Overall, Trump’s experience in the courtroom as a criminal defendant was marked by a shift in surroundings from his previous court appearances. The trial against him is underway, with evidence being presented and jurors being carefully selected. As the proceedings continue, Trump will need to navigate the legal process and defend himself against the charges brought by the Manhattan District Attorney’s Office. The outcome of this trial will have significant implications for Trump’s future.
