Former United States President Donald Trump’s request to dismiss criminal charges stemming from hush money paid to a porn star was denied by a New York judge on Thursday, reported Reuters. This ruling has significant implications, potentially paving the way for the first-ever criminal trial of a former US president.
For the case, Justice Juan Merchan set a trial date of March 25 – a significant development in one of the four criminal prosecutions Trump faces as he pursues the Republican nomination to challenge Democratic President Joe Biden in the November 5 US election.
The indictment alleges that Trump falsified business records to cover up a $130,000 payment to porn star Stormy Daniels before the 2016 election. Trump had asked Merchan to dismiss the 34-count indictment, but the judge took less than 10 minutes to deny his request and confirm the trial’s start date.
Trump has repeatedly claimed that the case is politically motivated, asserting that it wouldn’t have been brought against him if he weren’t running for president. This trial is set to begin before the three other criminal cases Trump faces.
By the time of the trial’s commencement, Trump may have effectively secured the Republican nomination, having won the first four state nominating contests and maintaining a significant lead over his sole challenger, Nikki Haley, in opinion polls.
Throughout his legal battles, Trump has used court dates as opportunities to raise funds for his presidential campaign, although the effectiveness of this strategy has waned over time.
Trump has pleaded not guilty to the money charges brought by Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg, a Democrat. Outside the courthouse, a small group of protesters expressed their opposition to Trump, holding signs and shouting slogans against him.
Trump’s political and legal calendars are increasingly intertwined as he prepares for a potential rematch with Biden in the 2024 election. In addition to the New York case, Trump’s lawyers are appearing in a separate court hearing in Georgia to challenge the prosecutor who charged him and several allies with crimes related to efforts to overturn the 2020 election results in the state.
Meanwhile, Trump also faces federal charges in Washington, D.C., over his attempts to overturn his election loss, as well as charges in Florida related to his handling of classified documents. In all cases, Trump has pleaded not guilty.
The legal battles facing Trump represent a significant challenge to his political ambitions. While he remains a frontrunner for the Republican nomination, his legal troubles could impact his ability to mount a successful campaign against Biden in the general election.
Trump’s lawyer, Todd Blanche, pressed Merchan to reconsider the trial date, citing scheduling conflicts with the other cases. However, Merchan remained firm, emphasizing the importance of proceeding with the trial as scheduled.
The denial of Trump’s request to dismiss the money charges marks a significant development in the ongoing legal saga surrounding the former president. With the trial set to begin in March, all eyes will be on the courtroom as Trump faces the possibility of becoming the first former US president to stand trial on criminal charges.
The outcome of the trial could have far-reaching implications for Trump’s political future and the broader landscape of American politics. As one of the most polarizing figures in recent history, Trump’s legal battles have been closely watched by both his supporters and detractors.
Regardless of the trial’s outcome, it is clear that Trump’s legal troubles will continue to shape the political landscape in the months and years to come. The March trial date represents a crucial moment in Trump’s post-presidency as he seeks to navigate the legal challenges that lie ahead.
