The New York judge responsible for overseeing the hush money trial involving former President Trump has stated on Monday that Trump will not be allowed to attend the Supreme Court arguments regarding presidential immunity next week.
The judge had previously postponed making a decision on whether to allow Trump to attend his son Barron’s high school graduation in May. However, this latest development came after that decision was made.
As the trial of his hush money case began in Manhattan, Trump made attempts to take off specific days. The trial is expected to last for weeks, if not months.
The New York trial adjourned on Monday, just before the Supreme Court is scheduled to hear oral arguments on April 25 regarding Trump’s presidential immunity claim in his federal criminal case. As a result, Trump will not be permitted to be in Washington, D.C. on that day.
Judge Juan Merchan denied Trump lawyer Todd Blanche’s request to allow the former president to skip a trial in New York Supreme Court, stating, “Arguing before the Supreme Court is a big deal, and I can certainly appreciate why your client would want to be there, but a trial in New York Supreme Court … is also a big deal.”
The judge further mentioned that he would meet him at this location next week.
According to New York state law, Trump must be present for the entire duration of his trial unless he obtains special permission from the judge to be excused.
After the court wrapped up for the day, Trump insinuated that Merchan considers himself to be “superior” to the Supreme Court for hindering his presence during the high court’s oral arguments.
The former president claimed that Merchan had stopped him from attending his son Barron’s high school graduation in May. The judge chose not to make a decision on the issue earlier on Monday, but did not completely deny the former president the opportunity to be present at the event.
“I had been eagerly anticipating that graduation ceremony, where both his mother and father would be present,” Trump expressed to reporters. “Unfortunately, it seems that the judge has decided not to let me evade this fraudulent trial. It’s nothing but a deceitful scheme.”
During his address outside the courtroom, Trump criticized Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg (D) for being present at the trial throughout the day. He insinuated that there is a high rate of muggings and killings happening outside the courthouse.
On the opening day of Trump’s inaugural criminal trial, the proceedings primarily focused on resolving pending legal issues. It was only after a lunch break in the afternoon that the jury selection process commenced.
Trump has been accused of falsifying business records in relation to a hush money payment made by his former fixer, Michael Cohen, to adult film actress Stormy Daniels. The payment was made prior to the 2016 election in an alleged attempt to conceal an alleged affair. Trump maintains his innocence and denies any involvement in the affair.
Jury selection is set to continue on Tuesday and could potentially take several days or even weeks.
