Judge Sabotages Election, Trump Suffers

How strange of a decision for the judge to make?

In a New York City courtroom, a ruling by Judge Juan Merchan has set the stage for the trial of former President Trump in connection to Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg’s probe into alleged hush-money payments prior to the 2016 presidential election. Trump’s bid to dismiss the charges was rejected by the judge, firmly establishing that the trial will commence next month, with jury selection slated for March 25 and an anticipated duration of six weeks.

Trump, accompanied by his legal team, made an appearance for a hearing on Thursday morning where the decision was rendered. Facing a set of 34 counts of falsifying business records in the first degree following an indictment by Bragg earlier in April, Trump maintained his plea of not guilty throughout.

Prior to the court proceedings, Trump voiced his grievances against Bragg’s handling of the case and the broader context of crime rates in New York City, characterizing the situation as election interference orchestrated by the current administration. Expressing frustration with being embroiled in legal matters instead of actively campaigning, particularly with the South Carolina primary looming on Feb. 24, Trump hinted at evening campaign efforts during the trial period.

The timing of the trial coincides closely with key primary dates, notably just following the Louisiana primary and preceding crucial primaries in Connecticut, Delaware, New York, Rhode Island, and Wisconsin on April 2, shaping the Republican nominee landscape.

Bragg’s allegations assert that Trump systematically falsified business records to obscure illicit activities during the 2016 election cycle, primarily concerning purported hush-money transactions. This legal action marks a significant escalation from prior investigations, including those by federal prosecutors in the Southern District of New York and the Federal Election Commission, which previously opted against pursuing charges related to payments made to Stormy Daniels and Karen McDougal.

Notably, this indictment is one among a series of legal challenges Trump has faced in recent years, including investigations led by special counsel Jack Smith into classified records and 2020 election interference, as well as inquiries by the Fulton County, Georgia, District Attorney’s office regarding events surrounding January 6.

Following the morning hearing, Trump is expected to return to Mar-a-Lago in Palm Beach, Florida, while the legal proceedings loom over his political endeavors.