Trump trials live: judge could set new date in hush money case as deadline looms to pay $454m bond in fraud case
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Good morning, US politics blog readers. Today is another big one for Donald Trump and his lawyers, who are expected in a New York City courtroom for a hearing that may decide when his case on charges related to hush money payments goes to trial anytime soon. Jury selection was originally supposed to begin today, but Manhattan district attorney Alvin Bragg requested a delay after receiving new documents from federal prosecutors. He now says no further postponements are necessary, and we’ll see if judge Juan Merchan agrees. Trump has been indicted four times, but all of his cases have been tied up in pre-trial motions and appeals, raising the possibility that none are resolved prior to his expected face off in the November presidential election against Joe Biden. The Manhattan case appears to be the one closest to starting trial, and we’ll see if Merchan gets the ball rolling, or gives the former president another delay.
Today is also the deadline for Trump to put up a $454m bond required by the judgement in his fraudulent property valuation case, or face that prospect that New York attorney general Letitia James starts seizing his bank accounts and, potentially, his commercial property. The former president has had trouble finding a backer willing to do that, but there’s still time for someone to step up.
Congress left Washington DC after narrowly averting a partial government shutdown, but leaving behind all kinds of unfinished business, including whether or not to approve military aid to Israel and Ukraine.
White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre spars with reporters at 1pm ET.
Here’s the latest on Donald Trump’s search for a $454m bond, and what happens if he does not secure one in the coming hours, from the Guardian’s Dominic Rushe:
Time was running out for Donald Trump to secure a bond covering the $454m loss for his recent fraud case loss on Monday, opening the way for New York’s attorney general to begin the long, slow process of seizing his assets.
The former president has until Monday to secure a bond covering the half-billion-dollar judgment against him while he appeals the decision. Trump must post collateral covering 120% of the judgment, according to court filings, a sum of more than $557m. Last week his lawyers said it was a “practical impossibility” for him to secure a bond of this size.
“A bond of this size is rarely if ever seen. In the unusual circumstance that a bond of this size is issued, it is provided to the largest public companies in the world, not to individuals or privately held businesses,” his lawyers argued.
The attorney general, Letitia James, had made clear that she will seize Trump assets if the bond is not secured. On Friday her office filed judgments in Westchester county, north of New York City, home to Trump’s sprawling Seven Springs estate and golf course.
A judgment has already been entered in New York City, home to some of Trump’s most famous assets, including Trump Tower and 40 Wall Street.
Donald Trump is this morning doing what he does: raging on Truth Social about the latest developments in his rollercoaster of a career as a businessman and politician, the latest subject being the massive $454m bond he is on the hook for.
The former president has not found someone willing to back his guarantee, raising the possibility that Letitia James may start freezing his bank accounts and seizing his property. On Truth, Trump was apoplectic about the prospect that he’d have to part with some of his real estate, or his “babies”, in order to satisfy his financial obligations:
Crooked Pols!!! There should be no FINE. Did nothing wrong! Why should I be forced to sell my “babies” because a CORRUPT NEW YORK JUDGE & A.G. SET A FAKE AND RIDICULOUS NUMBER. “TAKE HIS CASH SO THAT HE CAN’T USE IT TO DEFEAT HIS POLITICAL OPPONENT, CROOKED JOE BIDEN.” ELECTION INTERFERENCE, ALL HEADED UP BY THE WHITE HOUSE - THIS INCLUDES FANI AND THE CORRUPT MANHATTAN D.A. BRAGG ADMITTED THERE WAS NO CRIME, WAS MORTIFIED BY WHAT MARK POMERANCE DID - AND HE SHOULD BE. WITCH HUNT!
Good morning, US politics blog readers. Today is another big one for Donald Trump and his lawyers, who are expected in a New York City courtroom for a hearing that may decide when his case on charges related to hush money payments goes to trial anytime soon. Jury selection was originally supposed to begin today, but Manhattan district attorney Alvin Bragg requested a delay after receiving new documents from federal prosecutors. He now says no further postponements are necessary, and we’ll see if judge Juan Merchan agrees. Trump has been indicted four times, but all of his cases have been tied up in pre-trial motions and appeals, raising the possibility that none are resolved prior to his expected face off in the November presidential election against Joe Biden. The Manhattan case appears to be the one closest to starting trial, and we’ll see if Merchan gets the ball rolling, or gives the former president another delay.
Today is also the deadline for Trump to put up a $454m bond required by the judgement in his fraudulent property valuation case, or face that prospect that New York attorney general Letitia James starts seizing his bank accounts and, potentially, his commercial property. The former president has had trouble finding a backer willing to do that, but there’s still time for someone to step up.
Congress left Washington DC after narrowly averting a partial government shutdown, but leaving behind all kinds of unfinished business, including whether or not to approve military aid to Israel and Ukraine.
White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre spars with reporters at 1pm ET.