The Progressive American

While it is difficult to say what will happen, nobody can deny the significance of a former President on trial.

With Trump’s trial now starting, there has been intense speculation about the potential results and whether or not they will matter when November arrives. The historic trial almost certainly will provoke differing opinions across the political spectrum, but one thing remains undeniable: This trial matters. 

Trump Won’t Be Able to Control the Trial

While former President Trump has spent much of his time both in and out of office avoiding the consequences of his actions, such as in his impeachment proceedings, it is unlikely that he will be able to control the trial’s proceedings. 

While Trump has been mocked for seemingly falling asleep in court, it is more important to note another part of Trump’s courtroom behavior: his outbursts. In one instance, a potential juror was asked about social media posts she made, and Trump attempted to say something to her. While it is unclear what was said, it was enough to cause Judge Merchan to admonish Trump and his lawyers, warning that further attempts to intimidate jurors wouldn’t be tolerated. 

It is not the first time Trump has gotten into trouble in court for his conduct. During his defamation trial with E. Jean Carroll, Trump repeatedly got into spats with Judge Lewis A. Kaplan, who had to threaten to kick him from the proceedings. He also got into a spat with the Judge in his civil fraud case. 

These outbursts are interesting and arguably amusing, but what matters here is that they demonstrate Trump’s unease at being faced with situations he can’t control. Judge Merchan’s warning about any attempts to intimidate jurors also shows that Trump can face consequences for any attempt to disrupt the proceedings. Previously, Judge Merchan warned the former President that he could face punishment if Trump weren’t in the courtroom daily. 

These limitations on Trump’s usually chaotic persona mean that he can’t use the court as a campaign rally, forcing him and his lawyers to address the charges in the case head-on. Failure to do so could lead to a guilty verdict or a contempt of court charge. Judge Merchan has warned Trump of that very fact, threatening to throw him in jail if he failed to compose himself in court.

A Historic but Uncertain Outcome

It is hard to tell if the jury will convict Trump in this case. The jury currently comprises only seven members, and the trial is expected to last up to six weeks. Neither side has begun their arguments yet, and it is unclear how strong the prosecution’s arguments will be. However, what is clear is that Trump’s trial is set to be historic and dramatic. 

The trial will not be televised, but every moment will be evaluated piece by piece—every outburst, confrontation, contentious argument, and ruling. Nothing in this case will go unscrutinized, and that makes it all the more important. How the prosecution and Judge handle Trump in court could either make or break the case. Trump may try to force the Judge’s hand with further outbursts, potentially forcing a contempt charge and creating an opportunity for the former President to claim persecution and incense his supporters. 

Whatever happens, Trump’s trial is one for the ages. 

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References

Blake, Aaron. 2024. “Analysis | Trump’s Increasing Court Outbursts Come with Increasing Risks — for All.” Washington Post. https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2024/04/17/trump-courtroom-outbursts/ (April 17, 2024).

Doherty, Erin. 2024. “‘Your Client Is a Criminal Defendant’: N.Y. Judge Denies Trump Team Request to Attend SCOTUS Oral Arguments.” Axios. https://www.axios.com/2024/04/15/trump-new-york-criminal-trial-scotus-oral-arguments (April 18, 2024).

Haberman, Maggie. 2024. “A Weary Trump Appears to Doze Off in Courtroom Ahead of Criminal Trial.” The New York Times. https://www.nytimes.com/2024/04/15/nyregion/trump-asleep-criminal-trial.html (April 18, 2024).

Jacobs, Shayna. “Judge Threatened to Eject Trump during E. Jean Carroll Defamation Trial – The Washington Post.” The Washington Post. https://www.washingtonpost.com/national-security/2024/01/17/trump-defamation-trial-carroll-new-york/ (April 18, 2024).

Orden, Erica. 2024. “Trump Lashes out at Judge in Closing Arguments of Civil Fraud Trial.” POLITICO. https://www.politico.com/news/2024/01/11/trump-lashes-out-at-judge-in-closing-arguments-of-civil-fraud-trial-00135108 (April 17, 2024).

Reiss, Adam, et al., 2024. “Fiery Exchanges over Facebook Posts and Trump’s Behavior Mark Second Day of Trial.” NBC News. https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/donald-trump/trump-hush-money-trial-jury-selection-day-2-rcna147940 (April 18, 2024).

Shabad, Rebecca. 2024. “An Oncology Nurse, a Corporate Lawyer and a Man with ‘No Spare Time’: Meet the First 7 Jury Members of Trump’s Hush Money Trial.” NBC News. https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/donald-trump/meet-the-first-7-jury-members-as-trumps-hush-money-trial-progresses-rcna148198 (April 18, 2024).

Valle, Jeremy Herb, and Lauren Del. 2024. “Takeaways from the Second Day of Jury Selection in Trump’s Hush Money Trial | CNN Politics.” CNN. https://www.cnn.com/2024/04/16/politics/takeaways-trump-hush-money-trial-day-2/index.html (April 18, 2024).