What to know about Trump's hush money trial
- The first seven jurors were selected in Judge Juan Merchan's courtroom today for Donald Trump’s hush money trial.
- Panelists include a salesman, an oncology nurse, an IT consultant, a teacher and a software engineer. The seven were sworn in and told to return to court on Monday.
- Trump is required to be present at trial, which could go for six to eight weeks.
- Trump has pleaded not guilty to 34 counts of falsifying business records related to a $130,000 payment made to adult film actor Stormy Daniels at the end of the 2016 election cycle to keep her quiet about her allegation that she and Trump had a sexual encounter. The former president has denied the allegation.
- Catch up on what you missed on Day 1.
Trump claims gag order is 'totally unconstitutional'
Responding to a reporter's question about whether he believed he had violated a gag order Merchan put in place, Trump responded, "No, I didn't. There shouldn't be a gag order."
Trump also repeated an argument made by his attorneys, suggesting that the gag order is "totally unconstitutional."
Trump reiterates criticism of Alvin Bragg
Trump reiterated his criticism of Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg when talking to reporters outside the bodega.
He alleged that the Manhattan DA is persecuting him, saying, "They go after Trump" rather than violent criminals. Bragg's office indicts people accused of various offenses, including violent crime.
Trump says Merchan is 'conflicted'
Responding to reporters' questions outside of the bodega about his trial today, Trump repeatedly said that Merchan is "conflicted" and suggested that his hush money trial "is rigged."
"There’s never been a judge so conflicted as this. It’s ridiculous. And also, there’s no crime," Trump said.
Trump arrives at bodega, greeted by crowd
Trump entered the bodega as the crowd outside chanted "Trump," "U-S-A" and "four more years."
Trump to speak at bodega
Trump is visiting a New York City bodega as his campaign highlights crime shortly after the second day of his hush money trial wrapped up.
The former president "believes that only by undoing the Democrat party’s soft-on-crime policies can law and order be fully restored to every borough throughout New York City," his campaign said in a press release.
The Trump campaign has frequently discussed what he paints as soaring crime, but statistics from the FBI and police departments suggest otherwise.
The bodega, located in upper Manhattan, was the site of a fatal stabbing in 2022, when a store clerk allegedly stabbed a man who attacked him. The murder case against the clerk was dismissed, and the Manhattan district attorney's office said that it could not be proven beyond a reasonable doubt that the stabbing was unjustified.
Trump speaks before departing courthouse
After leaving the courtroom, Trump reiterated criticisms of Judge Merchan, calling him "conflicted."
He also alleged that the judge was "rushing this trial, and he’s doing as much as he can for the Democrats."
"This is a Biden-inspired witch hunt, and it should end, and it should end very quickly," Trump said.
Trial concludes for the day; jury selection resumes on Thursday
The trial has wrapped for the day. Jury selection will resume on Thursday morning.
Seventh juror selected
A seventh juror has been chosen.
The juror is an attorney as a civil litigator.
The juror lives on the Upper East Side in Manhattan and is not a native New Yorker.
Lawyers huddle about striking jurors
The lawyers are now discussing which of the three who were just questioned should be struck.
Potential juror: 'The country's on the line'
A potential juror — the former corrections officer — said that he knew “some of the kids” in the Central Park Five.
He also said that he “kind of enjoys” the way Trump walks into a room.
The potential juror said he understands that his duty is to be fair, and that much of the public perception about a president is “how the media covers you.”
"This isn’t showmanship," the potential juror said. "This is real life. A man’s life is on the line. The country’s on the line. This is serious."
