Trump, First Former U.S. President to Face Criminal Trial... Trump Claims "Election Interference"

Former President Donald Trump, a presidential candidate, is set to become the first ex-president to stand trial as a defendant in a criminal case. This comes as the criminal trial schedule begins this week over allegations that Trump paid hush money to cover up a sexual misconduct scandal ahead of the 2016 presidential election. Major U.S. media outlets predict that if former President Trump is found guilty, it could significantly impact the outcome of the upcoming November election.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

According to major foreign media including The Wall Street Journal (WSJ) on the 14th (local time), Judge Juan Merchan of the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York in Manhattan will start jury selection on the 15th, marking the commencement of the criminal trial in which former President Trump will stand as a defendant.

Former President Trump faces 34 charges, including paying $130,000 in hush money through his personal lawyer Michael Cohen to prevent the disclosure of a past sexual relationship with former adult film actress Stormy Daniels just before the 2016 presidential election, and falsifying company records related to those payments.

Alvin Bragg, the Manhattan District Attorney who indicted former President Trump, plans to focus on proving during the trial that Trump committed a felony by forging corporate documents with the intent to conceal and deceive about other crimes. Bragg argues that these illegal acts were felonies because they were carried out to hide unfavorable information that could interfere with Trump's presidential bid.

Former President Trump will also testify in court. At a press conference on the 12th, when asked by reporters whether he would take the witness stand in this trial, he said, "I will testify and tell the truth."

Among the four criminal trials in which former President Trump is indicted, this case is the only one scheduled to take place before the November election. The Trump camp made every effort to postpone this trial until after the election, but their request was denied. Trump has responded by calling it "an election interference by the Democratic forces based on political motives."

Former President Trump must attend court throughout the trial, which is expected to last about 6 to 8 weeks. During the first week starting on the 15th, jury selection will take place, followed by trials four times a week on weekdays except Wednesdays. WSJ explained, "During this period, former President Trump will not be able to focus on his election campaign and will have to spend time in court."

Former President Trump claimed, "While I am stuck defending myself in court, the crazed Democrats will be raising millions of dollars."