The judge overseeing Trump’s hush money trial in New York has decided that Trump can’t go to the Supreme Court next week to argue about presidential immunity. This comes after the judge previously said Trump couldn’t attend his son Barron’s high school graduation in May.
Trump wanted some time off from his trial, which could go on for weeks or even months. But the judge said no to him missing the Supreme Court session on April 25, where they’re talking about whether Trump is immune from prosecution as president.
Judge Juan Merchan has given former President Donald Trump a serious heads-up, saying he has to show up for his New York trial unless the judge personally gives him the green light to skip. In New York, the law says defendants like Trump have to be there for every part of their trial, except in special cases.
This reminder from the judge comes as Trump faces charges tied to a payment to adult film star Stormy Daniels, supposedly to hide an affair. The trial is kicking off on March 25, 2024, and Trump’s legal team is gearing up to fight the charges. But Judge Merchan’s message is clear: Trump needs to be there, unless the judge says otherwise.
After court, Trump complained, saying the judge thinks he’s more important than the Supreme Court by not letting him go to the arguments. He also accused the judge of stopping him from going to his son’s graduation, even though the judge hadn’t decided that yet.
Trump also had some words for the Manhattan District Attorney, Alvin Bragg, who was at the trial all day. He said there was lots of crime outside the courthouse. The first day of the trial mostly dealt with legal stuff, and they’re going to start picking the jury soon.
Trump is accused of messing with business records linked to hush money paid by his old lawyer, Michael Cohen, to Stormy Daniels. Trump says he didn’t do it and there was no affair. They’ll keep picking the jury in the next few days or weeks.