Former President Donald Trump made a notable appearance in a downtown Manhattan courtroom on Monday for his first criminal trial as a defendant. The courtroom, typically bustling with activity, was notably half-empty as Trump entered, a stark contrast to his previous court appearances.
Trump, accompanied by his legal team, took his seat at the defense table as the room slowly filled with 96 prospective jurors for the hush money trial. Throughout the proceedings, Trump engaged with his attorneys, whispered to them, and closely followed the motions being debated with the Manhattan District Attorney's Office.
During the jury selection process, Judge Juan Merchan posed up to 42 questions to each potential juror, a meticulous process that Trump observed with occasional moments of contemplation.
Although Trump's interactions within the courtroom were limited, he expressed his frustration outside the courthouse after the session. Trump voiced his discontent with the judge's decision not to allow him to attend upcoming Supreme Court arguments on presidential immunity and his son's graduation, referring to the situation as a 'scam.'
Despite the challenges and restrictions imposed by the trial proceedings, Trump's presence in the courtroom marked a significant shift in his legal battles, underscoring the gravity of the hush money trial and its implications for the former president.
