How Donald Trump’s Fate is in the Hands of 12 New Yorkers

Former President of the United States, Donald J. Trump, is facing trial for 34 felony charges for fabricating business records with the intent of obscuring and committing crimes. 

Trump allegedly paid adult film actress Stormy Daniel hush money of $130,000 for their affair in 2006 while his wife, Melania Trump, was pregnant with their son. The 45th President pleaded not guilty in the hush money trial and stated that he would continue campaigning for Presidential elections that will take place on November 5 this year. 

The Trial 

On April 15, 2024, the trial “People of the State of New York v. Donald J. Trump” commenced in New York County (Manhattan), presided over by Acting Justice Juan Merchan of the New York Supreme Court. Merchan is history’s first judge to supervise the criminal indictment of a US President, living or dead, and to find a President guilty of criminal contempt of court. 

He granted permission to five still press pool photographers but rejected requests from media outlets to livestream the arraignment or utilize electronic devices in the courtroom. Sketch artists in the courtroom also recorded the proceedings. As a precaution, the glass doors of the courtroom were covered.  Merchan cautioned Trump not to use social media to encourage violence during the arraignment because of his past behavior. 

The public prosecutor in the case, Joshua Steinglass, has sided with Trump’s former lawyer and fixer, Michael Cohen, as the prosecution’s star witness. Trump’s defense attorney, Todd Blanche, questioned the same and formulated a 10-point argument to deconstruct the prosecution’s statements. 

Steinglass addressed the judge and the jury to counter the defendant’s statements, explaining that this case is not about Cohen and that he is “like a tour guide through the physical evidence where the documents don’t lie.” 

The New Yorkers 

The jury consists of 12 New Yorkers who hold Trump and the outcome of the United States’ fate in their hands. Initially, two more members were on the jury, but they were excused on April 18 since their family and friends identified them from the news published by various media outlets. 

The jury for this 5-week trial now comprises five women and seven men who have been instructed not to discuss this case with their employers and family but can inform them about being on the jury.

The judge instructed the jury on Wednesday to begin the deliberations. The jury has to come to a consensus to give a verdict. The former President fears this will be a case of a hung jury, leading to a retrial. 

What does this mean for the upcoming Presidential Elections?

On Wednesday, Trump called this trial “rigged” and accused Judge Merchan of being “corrupt” to reporters outside the Manhattan courtroom. During this session, Trump attacked the Democrats, calling them “thugs” and “fascists” responsible for inflation. He then proceeded to make statements such as “taking back our nation on November 5,” calling it the most crucial day in the history of the United States. 

Even though he testified during the trial, Trump has frequently claimed that his remarks have prevented him from participating in campaign activities. However, he has continued to campaign and raise money throughout the trial, even during the break, and his approval ratings have not decreased, which is why he is still campaigning.

He said, “I haven’t actually been campaigning for the past five weeks, even though I have gained a significant lead in the polls in recent weeks.” He believes the “people of this country” see that the trial is being rigged, so he is still leading the polls. 

The jury will again put aside their biases and continue deliberations on 31 May at 9:30 in the morning.