Trump becomes the first former US President to face criminal trial

Former United States President Donald Trump has become the first US President to face a criminal trial. Donald Trump appeared in a Manhattan court in the US to face charges of paying hush money to a porn star.

• Donald Trump served as the 45th President of the United States from January 20, 2017, to January 20, 2021.
• This case could disrupt Donald Trump's attempt to win the US presidential election in November 2024.

Trump is the first former US President to face criminal trial:

• This is the first criminal trial of any former US commander-in-chief. The trial is the first of four indictments against former US President Donald Trump.
• At the start of court proceedings on 15 April 2024, Judge Juan M. Merchan rejected the defense's request to recuse himself from the case.

Donald Trump declared himself innocent:

• In this court process, Trump is required to participate in the trial. The process is expected to last until May 2024. Jury selection is anticipated to last approximately one week.
• After this there will be a process of testimony. However, the case is considered by some legal experts to be the least consequential of the four criminal trials scheduled to be heard before the November 5 election. Trump has declared himself innocent in this case.

Porn star Stormy Daniels paid dollars to keep quiet: 

• New York prosecutors had accused him of falsifying records to hide a $130,000 payment in the final days of the 2016 presidential campaign.
• It is alleged that it was given to porn star Stormy Daniels to remain silent regarding a 2006 sexual relationship. However, Trump has denied any such relationship.
• It is widely seen as the least consequential of Trump's four criminal trials. But if even a single decision goes against Trump, it will jeopardize his independence and also raise doubts about his ability to lead the country.
• The former president, aged 77, has entered a plea of not guilty to the charges against him. If found guilty, he may have to remain behind bars for four years. The allegations do not prevent him from contesting elections or becoming president. Yet the possibility that he could be convicted and sentenced to prison could trigger a political crisis in the US.

Impeachment motion brought against President Donald Trump:

• This is the third time in American history that an impeachment motion has been brought against a President.
• However, there was no threat to President Trump's government. Because despite the impeachment process being passed in the lower house, it was difficult to pass it in the Senate. At that time the ruling Republican Party had a majority in the Senate.
• This is the third time in American history that an impeachment motion has been brought against a President.
• Before Trump, the impeachment process had started against Andrew Johnson in 1868 and Bill Clinton in 1998. However, both times the President could not be removed from power.
• In 1974, President Richard Nixon was accused of spying on one of his opponents. This was named the Watergate Scandal.