Trump Faces Criminal Trial for Business Records Violations, Prosecutors Pursue Conspiracy Charge

Fox News’ Todd Piro provides an update on the ongoing criminal trial of former President Trump, which has entered its third week with opening statements delivered by both defense attorneys and prosecutors from the Manhattan District Attorney’s Office. Trump has pleaded not guilty to 34 counts of falsifying business records in the first degree related to hush money payments during his 2016 presidential campaign. Prosecutors aim to prove that he conspired with others to promote or prevent election, alleging this conspiracy involved a catch & kill practice at American Media Inc., headed by former CEO and National Enquirer publisher David Pecker. Trump’s defense attorneys maintain the former president is innocent of all charges. Judge Juan Merchan has imposed a gag order on Trump prohibiting him from making statements about court staff or potential witnesses, which he allegedly violated 14 times in comments made to press between his appearances at trial. The prosecutor argued that these remarks constituted knowing and willful breaches of the judge’s orders. Merchan has not yet ruled whether Trump should be fined $1,000 per violation or held in contempt of court for violating the gag order. Prosecutors have also requested a fine against Pecker for failing to disclose his testimony until two days before trial as required by law. Meanwhile, Merchan has rejected requests from both Trump and former first lady Melania Trump’s birthday celebrations due to scheduling conflicts with court proceedings. The judge will consider whether the former president can attend Barron Trump’s high school graduation on May 17th based on how the trial progresses.