On Tuesday, April 4, former President Donald J. Trump pleaded not guilty in a New York City court. He’s the first president to ever be accused of a crime in our country. He’s also running for president again—and may be on trial as the campaign heats up next spring.
What is President Trump accused of?
Donald Trump, the former president of the United States, is facing 34 felony charges of falsifying business records. The charges come from hush money payments made to suppress stories about affairs he allegedly had outside his marriage. These events took place almost seven years ago.
When is Trump’s trial expected to take place?
Although his next court hearing is scheduled for December 4, 2023, it is unclear when the trial will take place. Prosecutors will probably request a trial date of January 2024, while Trump’s lawyers suggested a spring 2024 trial. However, Trump’s case is far from typical, and his lawyers plan to fight it aggressively with a blizzard of paperwork. This could conceivably push any trial closer to the presidential election in November 2024.
What happens if Trump is elected president again?
If Trump is elected president again, he would not hold the power to pardon himself because these are state charges. However, putting a president-elect or president on trial for state charges would be uncharted legal territory. It is unclear what the outcome would be.
What other legal challenges is Trump facing?
Aside from the New York case, Trump faces federal criminal investigations over allegations he tried to overturn his 2020 election defeat and mishandling of classified documents. He also faces a Georgia investigation into his attempts to fight his 2020 defeat in that state.
How might Trump fight these charges?
In his early career in real estate, as a television celebrity, and then in politics, Trump has employed aggressive counter-attacks and delay tactics when confronted with legal challenges. He has accused Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg of targeting him for political gain and could try to seek dismissal of the charges on those grounds. Trump’s lawyers could also challenge the charges on other grounds, such as the venue or the statute of limitations. However, legal experts say these challenges could present thorny legal issues that take time to resolve.
Compiled by NOTICE News staff and Reuters.