Donald Trump has admitted that he didn't stand in his hush money trial due to concerns about his past being brought up by prosecutors. He stated that the presiding judge's rulings made it difficult for him to testify, as they had no case. Trump initially suggested he would testify, but later told reporters that the limited gag order in the case prevented him from testifying. Judge Merchan later told Trump that he has an "absolute right" to testify and that the gag order does not apply to his statements in court.
Trump has pleaded not guilty to falsifying business records to conceal the alleged scheme and denied any wrongdoing. This is the first of Trump's four criminal cases to go to trial, possibly the only one before the 2024 presidential election. There was no requirement or expectation that Trump give testimony. His attorneys focused on attacking the credibility of the prosecution witnesses instead of demonstrating Trump's innocence to jurors.
On Tuesday, Trump's defense team rested their case, with a former federal prosecutor called to attack the credibility of the prosecution's key witness, Michael Cohen. The jury was sent home for a week until closing arguments are expected on May 28. The attorneys returned to the courtroom to discuss how the judge will instruct jurors before deliberations, a road map meant to help them apply the law to the evidence and testimony.
Trump has pleaded not guilty to falsifying business records to conceal the alleged scheme and denied any wrongdoing. This is the first of Trump's four criminal cases to go to trial, possibly the only one before the 2024 presidential election. There was no requirement or expectation that Trump give testimony. His attorneys focused on attacking the credibility of the prosecution witnesses instead of demonstrating Trump's innocence to jurors.
On Tuesday, Trump's defense team rested their case, with a former federal prosecutor called to attack the credibility of the prosecution's key witness, Michael Cohen. The jury was sent home for a week until closing arguments are expected on May 28. The attorneys returned to the courtroom to discuss how the judge will instruct jurors before deliberations, a road map meant to help them apply the law to the evidence and testimony.
