Former President Donald Trump’s efforts to delay his New York hush money trial have been unsuccessful, with jury selection set to begin soon. However, experts believe Trump may still try various longshot options to stop the trial from moving forward. One potential option is to file an emergency motion to change the venue of the trial from Manhattan, a location described as unfriendly to the former president. Trump has proposed holding the trial in Staten Island, the only New York City borough he won in 2020.
Changing the venue would depend on the outcome of jury selection, as Trump could argue for a change if jurors show bias against him or indicate they cannot be fair and impartial. Trump could also appeal to the New York Court of Appeals to look at his previous requests to delay the trial, although the court is not required to take his case. Another potential tactic Trump could use is firing his legal counsel, although this move may not be well-received by the judge overseeing the trial, who would likely want a quick turnaround to the next trial date.
Despite the potential options Trump may explore to delay the trial, experts believe the trial is likely to proceed as scheduled. The trial is set to begin on Monday with jury selection and is expected to last around six weeks. Trump’s legal team has faced setbacks in their attempts to delay the trial, including challenges to a gag order on Trump and requests for the judge to recuse himself. Trump’s attorneys have also argued for a pause in the trial while the Supreme Court hears his argument for presidential immunity in a separate federal case.
Trump was indicted last March on 34 felony charges related to hush money payments to adult film actress Stormy Daniels before the 2016 presidential election. Trump allegedly reimbursed his former attorney Michael Cohen for the payments, which prosecutors claim were falsely identified as legal fees to cover up other alleged crimes. Trump has pleaded not guilty to the charges and has criticized the trial as a “witch hunt.” Cohen, who pleaded guilty to similar charges in 2018, has become a vocal opponent of Trump and may be a prosecution witness in the trial.
Overall, while Trump may still try to delay or halt his New York hush money trial, experts believe the trial is likely to move forward as scheduled. Trump’s legal team has faced challenges in their attempts to delay the trial, including appeals to change the venue, requests for the judge to recuse himself, and arguments for a pause in the trial. The trial is set to begin on Monday with jury selection and is expected to last around six weeks, potentially affecting Trump’s 2024 presidential campaign.
