Journalists from The Hill discussing former President Trump’s criminal trial for illegal payments, provided responses to questions about the ongoing case in New York.
Trump is being tried for 34 charges of altering business records related to illegal payment deals made during his 2016 presidential campaign. Trump has declared his innocence and denied any misconduct.
Zach Schonfeld and Ella Lee covered a variety of topics, from the atmosphere in the courtroom to the main aspects of the case.
Chosen responses from the “Ask me anything” are as follows:
Question: Did [Stormy Daniels’s] testimony actually hurt Trump’s defense?
Answer: Hello, this is Ella, Stormy Daniels’s testimony could have aided or hindered Trump’s defense.
A few moments were potentially damaging. Daniels stated that she chose to publicize her story in 2016 because, with Trump standing for public office, she hoped the financial trail would act as protection.
Her statement connected the illegal payment scheme to Trump’s 2016 campaign, which is what prosecutors need to elevate the usual misdemeanor charges of falsifying business records to the felony level Trump is accused of.
Her testimony also generally presented Trump in a negative manner. If jurors are persuaded that Trump needed to conceal his actions to secure the 2016 election, it could also support the prosecution’s case.
Her testimony could also potentially benefit Trump’s defense. Defense lawyers aimed to depict her as motivated by money and inconsistent in her account. Throughout her testimony, jurors appeared less captivated than with prior witnesses – which might indicate they weren’t as convinced, or influenced, by her statements.
To sum up: It all comes down to how the jury views her credibility as a witness.
For further analysis on day 1 of Stormy Daniels’s initial appearance on the witness stand: https://thehill.com/regulation/court-battles/4639359-stormy-daniels-trump-hush-money-trial-takes-stand/
We’re The Hill reporters, Zach Schonfeld and Ella Lee, covering Trump’s hush money trial + we’ll answer any Q’s you have on Stormy Daniels’s ongoing testimony or the case – Ask us anything!
byu/thehill ininthenews
Question: If Trump were imprisoned, would the Secret Service be required to safeguard him while incarcerated? What would his imprisonment be like? Has this ever occurred before?
Answer: Hello, it’s Zach! This has not happened previously where a sitting or former U.S. President has been jailed. Therefore, we would be in uncharted territory, and no one knows for certain.
It would definitely be an exceptional situation. There have been some reports from various sources indicating that the Secret Service and other agencies have discussed what that might entail, but there is no concrete plan that we are aware of. There is no protocol like the secret funeral plans for Queen Elizabeth, also known as “London Bridge”. However, we are not yet fully aware of potential plans if this were to occur. some Trump receives Secret Service protection for life, even if he is convicted. Rep. Bennie Thompson (D-Miss.), who chaired the House Jan. 6 Committee, recently introduced a bill that would remove Secret Service protection from convicted felons (
click here for more reporting on this from my colleague, National Security Reporter Rebecca Beitsch!). I believe this is unlikely to advance with Republicans controlling the House.I’ll also mention that New York City Mayor Eric Adams (D) was asked this week if Rikers Island was prepared in case Trump was imprisoned.
“In this line of work, especially in law enforcement, we have to adapt to whatever comes our way,” Adams stated. But we don’t want to deal with a hypothetical situation. But they’re professionals, they’ll be prepared.”
Did you hear Trump using strong language during the Stormy Daniels testimony? If so, what did he say?
Question: Hello, it’s Ella! I was seated about four rows behind where Trump was sitting, I did not hear him using strong language during Daniels’ testimony. However, I don’t doubt it to be true.
Answer: The courtroom is about the size of a basketball court, and Trump sits with his back to reporters. Also in between reporters and the former president are several law enforcement officers and members of his entourage, which this week h