Trump's attempt to postpone the trial is denied

Former President of the United States, Donald Trump, had his attempt to postpone the criminal trial for paying bribes to porn actress Stormy Daniels denied by judge Juan Merchan on Friday (12), in New York. The decision marks another chapter in the series of legal battles faced by Trump, who faces 34 charges related to the refund of payments made before the 2016 election to adult film star Stormy Daniels.

Judge Merchan's decision

Attorneys for the Republicans filed a motion requesting a postponement of the trial due to pretrial publicity. However, Judge Juan Merchan based his decision to deny the Republicans' request by stating that the former president's defense sought an indefinite postponement of the trial, which would not be sustainable. In his response, the judge claimed that the situation the defendant finds himself in is nothing new for Donald Trump and that, at least in part, he is responsible for what is happening.

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_{Adult film actress Stormy Daniels speaks in US Federal Court (Photo: reproduction/GettyImages Embed)}

Conflict between Trump and Judge Juan Merchan

The denial marks another chapter in the debate between Trump and the judge. Last April 1, the New York court issued an order for the former president to cease attacks on social media against the judge's family. Trump addressed Merchan's daughter directly, calling her “Rabid Trump Hater” and accusing him of being linked to the Democratic Party, in an attempt to question the judge's impartiality.

Trump faced 34 counts of falsifying business records related to the refund of cash payments made before the 2016 election to Stormy Daniels, alleging an extramarital affair that occurred a decade earlier. The former president declared himself innocent and vehemently denied the accusations. The next stage of the process includes jury selection, scheduled for next Monday (15).

Featured photo: President Donald Trump speaks at CPAC. (Reproduction/GettyImages Embed)