On Monday, former President Donald Trump faces a historic moment as he becomes the first former president to stand trial in a criminal case. The trial centers around allegations that Trump orchestrated a scheme to pay hush money to adult film actress Stormy Daniels to silence her about an alleged affair just before the 2016 election.
A Circuitous Route to Trial
The path from hush money payment to prosecution has been far from straightforward. The investigation into Trump’s involvement has navigated through multiple prosecutors’ offices, grand juries, and levels of the court system, including two trips to the Supreme Court.
The Origin: Federal Campaign Finance Probe
The saga began in January 2018 when the Wall Street Journal reported on Trump’s lawyer Michael Cohen arranging a payment to Daniels. Despite denials, federal authorities launched an investigation, leading to Cohen’s guilty plea on campaign finance violations. However, due to Justice Department policy, Trump, then president, couldn’t be charged.
A Battle Over Records
After Cohen’s plea, the Manhattan district attorney’s office opened its own investigation. Trump fought subpoenas for his tax records, leading to a protracted legal battle that reached the Supreme Court. Eventually, in February 2021, prosecutors obtained the documents.
Doubts and Resurgence
Despite having the records, prosecutors struggled to settle on a legal theory for charging Trump. The case went dormant until November, when Vance’s successor, Alvin Bragg, renewed interest. By March 2023, a grand jury indicted Trump for falsifying business records related to the payment to Daniels.
Facing Trial
On Monday, Trump will face trial on 34 felony counts related to the hush money payment. His appearance marks a significant moment in U.S. legal history as a former president stands trial for the first time.
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