Trump trial scheduled for March 2024

The trial of Donald J. Trump is scheduled for March 25, 2024, the judge presiding over his criminal case in Manhattan said Tuesday.

Mr Trump, who appeared on video for the first time since 34 charges were brought against him last month, appeared to react angrily when the date of the trial was announced by Judge Juan Merchan. Mr. Trump’s microphone was muted and it was unclear what he was saying to the attorney sitting next to him, Todd Blanche.

The performance itself was short. Judge Merchan reviewed the restrictions he has placed on Mr Trump’s use of material from the case and asked Mr Blanche if he had reviewed the restrictions with his client. Mr. Blanche said yes.

Prosecutors working for the District Attorney, Alvin L. Bragg, asked that Trump’s access to certain file material be restricted and asked Judge Merchan to prohibit the former president from distributing the prosecution’s evidence, including records of interviews with witnesses and testimony from the grand jury. on social media or to reporters.

Trump’s lawyers fought that request, but at a hearing earlier this month, Judge Merchan said he would grant it. However, he stressed that Mr. Trump would be free to speak on the “vast majority of the evidence.”

Prosecutors also requested that Mr. Trump personally read the terms of the restrictions — which are contained in a document called a protection order — at that hearing. Judge Merchan agreed to a virtual appearance and scheduled the hearing for Tuesday.

Before the performance began, Mr. Trump waited on camera, visible in high definition to the entire courtroom — a remarkable way to meet the former president. He narrowed his eyes and glared at the camera, folding and unclasping his hands, never holding them in the same position for long. He looked like a man not used to waiting.

Mr. Trump barely touched his microphone as the hearing got underway. But as Judge Merchan reviewed the motion schedule that will continue the trial, he seemed increasingly agitated and spoke frequently with Mr. Blanche.

The charges against Mr. Trump stem from a payment of hush money to a porn star on his behalf during the 2016 campaign. The payment was made by Mr. Trump’s former fixer, Michael D. Cohen; after winning the presidency, Mr. Trump repaid Mr. Cohen by signing nine of the eleven checks used to pay him back. Prosecutors say Mr Trump’s family business, the Trump Organization, subsequently created false records to justify the payments, saying they were made to reimburse Mr Cohen for legal services.

Mr. Trump’s lawyers are trying to move the case from state court to federal court, likely a long haul. A federal judge will consider their request at a hearing in federal court on June 27.