Opening statements are beginning Monday morning in the alleged "hush money" trial against former President Donald Trump in New York.
Trump is accused of falsifying business records during his 2016 presidential race to pay porn star Stormy Daniels to remain silent about an alleged sexual encounter the two had in the past.
Before the opening statements began, Judge Juan Merchan reminded the jury that Trump is “presumed to be innocent.” He said the presidential candidate's legal team is not required to prove his innocence. Instead, Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg’s team is required to prove his guilt.
Before he entered the courtroom, Trump spoke to reporters about New York Attorney General Letitia James' effort to void his $175 million bond in a separate civil fraud case in the city.
“When you put up cash and the number is $175 — which is what we’re supposed to be putting up — but I gave it in cash,” Trump said. “She shouldn’t be complaining about the bonding company; the bonding company would be good for it because I put up the money. And I have plenty of money to put up, but nobody is going to be putting up with this.”
Trump also asserted that the trial is "election interference" and part of a "witch hunt."
According to a report from CBS News, "Prosecutors from Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg's office will have 40 minutes to present their opening statements. Trump's attorneys will then have 25 minutes. The proceedings are not being televised, since New York law doesn't allow recording of criminal proceedings."
Reporters were allowed inside the courtroom.
Just before going to court, Trump posted to Truth Social urging his supporters to go out and peacefully protest.
In a post to Truth Social, Trump questioned why pro-Palestine protesters, “and even rioters,” are allowed to roam cities, scream, shout, sit, block traffic, enter buildings,” and “basically do whatever they want?”
Trump pointed out that, on the other hand, “people who truly LOVE our Country, and want to MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN, are not allowed to ‘Peacefully Protest,’ and are rudely and systematically shut down and ushered off to far away ‘holding areas,’ essentially denying them their Constitutional Rights.”
The Republican presidential candidate continued, “America Loving Protesters should be allowed to protest at the front steps of Courthouses, all over the Country, just like it is allowed for those who are destroying our Country on the Radical Left, a two tiered system of justice.”
“Free Speech and Assembly has been ‘CHILLED’ for USA SUPPORTERS. GO OUT AND PEACEFULLY PROTEST. RALLY BEHIND MAGA. SAVE OUR COUNTRY! ‘THE ONLY THING YOU HAVE TO FEAR IS FEAR ITSELF.'”
