New York City – Defense lawyers in Donald Trump’s hush money trial made their final appeal to the jury on Tuesday, asserting that the unprecedented criminal prosecution of a former US president is based on “lies.”
In a separate development, a federal judge denied prosecutors’ request to impose a gag order on Trump to prevent him from making inflammatory remarks about law enforcement. This followed false claims by Trump’s campaign that the FBI had authorization to assassinate him during a search of his Florida estate.
Trump faces accusations of falsifying business records to reimburse his lawyer, Michael Cohen, for a $130,000 payment to adult film actress Stormy Daniels. Daniels’ account of a 2006 sexual encounter could have jeopardized Trump’s 2016 presidential campaign.
“This is a very dangerous day for America,” Trump told reporters before entering the Manhattan courtroom. Three of his children – Don Jr., Eric, and Tiffany – stood by his side. “We have a rigged court case that should have never been brought.”
Trump’s defense attorney, Todd Blanche, began his approximately two-and-a-half-hour closing argument by declaring Trump’s innocence. “The consequences of the lack of proof you have heard over the last five weeks is simple — it’s a not guilty verdict,” Blanche told the jury. He accused Cohen, the prosecution’s key witness, of dishonesty.
“He told you a number of things on that witness stand that were lies, pure and simple,” Blanche said. “You cannot convict President Trump of any crime beyond a reasonable doubt on the word of Michael Cohen.”
Blanche argued that Trump, as president, was “busy running the country” when the reimbursements to Cohen were made and did not personally review all the invoices that crossed his desk. “There was no intent to defraud and beyond that, there was no conspiracy to influence the 2016 election by President Trump,” Blanche asserted. “He did not commit any crimes.”
Throughout his lawyer’s presentation, Trump appeared grave, tilting his head to the side as he studied the jurors. He gave a thumbs-up as he exited the courtroom during a break but did not speak to reporters.
The trial has garnered significant public and media attention, marking the first criminal prosecution of a former US president. As the jury deliberates, the nation waits to see the outcome of this historic case.