Opening Arguments in Trump Trial to Happen Monday, Judge Confirms

Jennifer Bowers BahneyApr 19th, 2024, 4:57 pm

AP Photo/Seth Wenig.

Judge Juan Merchan confirmed that opening arguments in Donald Trump’s criminal hush money trial will get underway Monday.

MSNBC’s Katie Phang tweeted Merchan’s pronouncement: “We’re going to have opening statements on Monday morning. This trial is starting.”

Judge Merchan: “We’re going to have opening statements on Monday morning. This trial is starting.”

— Katie Phang (@KatiePhang) April 19, 2024

Earlier in court Friday, the final five alternate jurors were seated in the case, paving the way for Monday’s opening statements. The 12 main jurors and one alternate were seated earlier in the week.

Trump also sat through a Sandoval hearing Friday, where he learned “the scope of questions” he could face during cross-examination if he decides to testify.

The former president faces 34 felony counts for falsifying business records to cover up clandestine affairs prior to the 2016 election. Trump denies any wrongdoing and has repeatedly called the trial a “witch-hunt.”