With a jury now selected and with opening statements looming on Monday in his historic criminal trial, Donald Trump took to Truth Social this weekend to not just complain about the case, but also return to the topic of presidential immunity.
The Supreme Court will hear oral arguments regarding Mr Trump’s claims of immunity on 25 April. The former president argues that without it, the nation’s commander-in-chief would not be able to function for fear of prosecution.
Meanwhile, in New York, the man who set himself on fire outside the Manhattan courthouse where Mr Trump’s trial is taking place has died.
Maxwell Azzarello, 37, from Florida, who posted a conspiracy-laden manifesto online moments before the incident, was “declared deceased by hospital staff”, police told NBC News.
After four days of jury selection, the final alternate jurors were picked from a batch of Manhattan residents on Friday.
The 12 jurors and six alternates will hear evidence against the former president and ultimately decide his fate in his so-called hush money trial.
On Monday, Judge Juan Merchan will decide whether Mr Trump’s previous misconduct and court cases can be included in proceedings.
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Trump forced to cancel first public address in North Carolina since New York trial
Donald Trump was forced to cancel his scheduled rally in Wilmington, North Carolina, as skies darkened and a rain storm approached the airport.
It was his first planned rally since the start of his criminal hush money trial.
Mr Trump called into the rally site near the Wilmington airport less than an hour before he was scheduled to take the stage and apologised to a few thousand supporters who had gathered throughout.
“I’m devastated that this could happen but we want to keep everybody safe,” MrTrump said, as his message was amplified by speakers to his supporters.
“I think we’re gonna have to just do a rain check. I’m so sad,” Mr Trump said.
Mr Trump promised a “bigger and better” rally to around 7,000 and 8,000 people who had gathered at the Aero Center at Wilmington airport.
Shweta Sharma21 April 2024 05:11
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