Things We Never Thought We’d See

Pigs flying? No, Trump on trial

Credit: Getty Images

Finally. The trial of The People of New York vs. Donald J. Trump has commenced. 

Although no cameras are allowed in the court, a pool photographer captured the above image of the defendant. It says everything. A massive media presence is providing minute-by-minute play-by-play. Fair to say this reporter has found himself riveted by the courtroom repartee. It is a day many thought would never happen: Donald Trump confronted in court, before jurors, about alleged criminal acts. Far from a “hush money” case, the prosecution has laid out an alleged conspiracy by Trump to interfere with the outcome of a presidential election. And all Donald Trump could do is sit there and watch.

While many will celebrate the trial’s beginning, it is also a day of great sadness for our country. Not only because our political and judicial systems will be tested in uncharted ways, but also because we will, and should, be unnerved by the prospect of what this trial may bring, whatever the verdict. 

Leading up to the trial, Trump has disparaged the court, the judge, the judge’s family, the prosecutors, the witnesses, and soon, no doubt, the jurors. He has been warned, but so far that is all.

Judge Juan Merchan is responsible for order in his court and the safety of jurors, witnesses, court staff, and prosecuting attorneys. He must assure those participating in this trial that they will be protected against intimidation, harassment, and threats by the presumptive Republican nominee for president and his supporters. Yes, that’s where we are. 

Imagine trying to sell this surreal story to Hollywood. No one would buy it because no one would believe it.

The New York Times reported there are at least nine court officers and additional Secret Service agents in the courtroom today, a much larger security presence than normal.

Outside the court, a local park has been turned into a stage by Trump supporters. Concern should also be raised for those who might take action on behalf of the former president. His words on social media could have real-world consequences, and the judge must be prepared to act.

That could happen on Tuesday, when Merchan will rule on whether Trump violated his gag order. And if so, what punishment he will receive. It seems nothing short of taking away his phone or his freedom will stop him.   

Due to Trump’s penchant for social media intimidation, the prosecutors have told the judge that they won’t give Trump’s lawyers the order in which their witnesses will appear because they are concerned Trump will menace them on Truth Social.

It is also a sad day for the millions of Americans who the former president and his cronies have convinced that his collective legal troubles are nothing more than a charade. Let’s let a jury of his peers decide.

And of those peers, let us in the press respect their privacy and anonymity. Jury duty is a civic responsibility. The jurors in this case will need courage and tenacity to get through what will likely be a six-week ordeal.

Until today, Trump’s delaying tactics have worked … to keep his myriad cases from commencing before the election. The wheels of justice, though slow to turn, have finally brought the former president to trial. And the timing couldn’t be worse for Trump. With his poll numbers slipping and the daily images of a disgruntled defendant Trump everywhere, candidate Trump is in the last place he ever wanted to be.

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Dan