Former President Trump is currently embroiled in four criminal cases, facing a total of 91 felony counts. Among these cases, The People of the State of New York v. Donald J. Trump is currently underway, garnering significant media coverage. This case, commonly referred to as the “Hush Money Case,” is the first of the criminal trials that the former president is facing as he gears up for the 2024 Presidential election. Trump’s indictment in March of last year marked a historic moment, as he became the first former President of the United States to face criminal charges.
The “Hush Money Case” revolves around allegations that Trump falsified business records after paying off former adult film actress Stormy Daniels to conceal an extramarital affair they had in 2006. To reduce the likelihood of political scandal during the 2016 election, the former president paid $130,000 in hush money to Daniels. Then, when Trump became president, he used funds from his business to pay his former lawyer, Michael Cohen.
Recently, the trial for this case commenced, with nearly 100 prospective jurors initially summoned. However, approximately 50 were quickly dismissed due to concerns about impartiality. Outside the courthouse, anti-Trump protesters made their voices heard, reflecting the public interest in the case. 12 jurors have now been selected for the case.
Apart from the “Hush Money Case,” Trump faces legal challenges in Georgia, Florida, and D.C. In Georgia, he is accused of interfering in the 2020 Presidential election by pressuring officials to “find 11,780 votes,” the margin he needed to surpass Biden’s vote count. While some charges in this case were dismissed, Trump and other defendants await trial for remaining felony offenses.
In D.C., Trump is charged with conspiracy-related offenses linked to his alleged interference in the 2020 election, including obstructing an official proceeding and conspiracy against rights. Similarly, in Florida, he faces charges related to hoarding classified documents without proper clearance. Despite attempts to dismiss some cases, Trump awaits his trials as the American people weigh these legal challenges alongside their electoral decisions in November.