New York Supreme Court Justice Juan Merchan is yet to decide whether former President Donald Trump can attend his son Barron Trump’s upcoming high school graduation. Merchan has refrained from ruling on Trump’s request to be excused from trial proceedings scheduled for that day.
The commencement of the criminal trial, orchestrated by Democrat Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg, unfolded on Monday. Bragg has charged Trump with 34 felonies, alleging falsification of business records in connection to payments made to adult film actress Stormy Daniels. Notably, Trump is not facing accusations related to concealing a sex scandal. Trump vehemently denies all allegations against him, but if found guilty, he could potentially face incarceration.
While the jury selection process has commenced in the criminal trial, Trump’s legal team has proactively sought permission for him to forego trial proceedings on May 17, citing his son Barron’s impending high school graduation in Florida, the former president’s home state. Although Merchan has acknowledged the request, he has deferred making a definitive decision.
Merchan remarked, “It really depends on if we are on time and where we are in the trial,” indicating the possibility that Trump may have to forego attending his youngest son’s significant milestone due to the trial.
Observers have characterized the situation as another instance of perceived political targeting against Trump. Jason Miller, an advisor to Trump, lambasted the trial, labeling it a “disgusting” episode of political persecution. Trump himself, addressing reporters prior to entering the New York courtroom on Monday, decried the trial as a form of “political prosecution” and an unprecedented assault on the nation.
https://twitter.com/JasonMillerinDC/status/1779914396459753743?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw
“This case was brought as political persecution,” Trump asserted, condemning it as an unwarranted attack on the country. He further criticized the involvement of what he described as an “incompetent man” in the proceedings, insinuating nefarious motives behind the trial.
https://twitter.com/TrumpWarRoom/status/1779866504848191915?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw
Sen. J.D. Vance (R-OH) echoed similar sentiments, characterizing the trial as a form of “election interference.”
https://twitter.com/JDVance1/status/1779901002755252600?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw
via joemiller