Stormy Daniels Testifies in Trump Trial: Political Bias in the Courtroom?

Zoom Photo Trump and Stormy Daniels [AFP 연합뉴스]

“When I came out of the bathroom, former President Trump was waiting in bed. “The intention was clear.”

Stormy Daniels’ testimony held at the Manhattan Criminal Court in New York, USA on the 7th (local time) was enough to attract the interest of people around the world.

She, who is a former adult actress, is a woman who claims she was silenced in former President Donald Trump’s alleged case to ‘silence sexual misconduct’.

Daniels’ statement that day contained quite a few specific descriptions of sexual intercourse. However, foreign media reported that most of her evidence was already known.

But why was she chosen as a witness? The reason is clear.

First of all, it is an excellent topic to attract public attention. Furthermore, since the stage is a courtroom, it can also have the effect of making many people believe that a sexual relationship really took place and that he paid her to keep it quiet.

However, whether she had sexual relations with Trump or whether he gave her money is not what this trial is about. The key to the trial is determining whether illegal activities, such as document manipulation, were undertaken to raise the money.

Trump’s side denies the sexual relationship itself. They also claim that paying hush money or manipulating accounts is not true.

Analysis suggests this trial goes against Trump in several ways. Perhaps for this reason, comments are already being made that ‘the conclusion of this trial is the same as what has already been decided, and it is clear that Trump will also appeal.’

◆ “Judges and prosecutors are all supporters of the Democratic Party”

This trial was presided over by Judge Juan Mercan. The local mainstream media’s evaluation of him is very generous.

According to NPR, he is a veteran judge who served as a New York District Court judge for 16 years. “He is a serious, smart and calm judge,” lawyer Ron Kirby told NBC. “He is not the type to shout at his lawyers and is known for his simple and clear rulings.”

Enlarge Sketch of Judge Juan Mercan [로이터 연합뉴스]

Karen Friedman Agniphilo, a lawyer who worked for the Manhattan District Attorney’s Office, said in an interview with CNN, “Judge Merchant is wary of all kinds of circuses, including media circuses.”

However, Trump’s side filed a motion to reinstate this judge. This is due to political bias. Of course, the request was not accepted to be refused.

Judge Merchan’s daughter runs a digital marketing company. Democratic candidates and non-profit organizations are said to be the company’s main customers.

Judge Merchan also appears to be a Democratic supporter.

According to Fox News, Judge Merchan has made several donations, although not large, to Democratic candidates.

In July 2020, he gave $15 to Joe Biden, the Democratic presidential candidate at the time. It is known that he also made donations to other Democratic Party groups in the same year.

The prosecutors who prosecuted Trump were also confirmed to be Democratic.

According to the New York Post, prosecutor Susan Hoffinger donated $500 to Biden’s 2020 campaign. Prosecutor Hoffinger reportedly donated more than $900 to a fundraising platform (ActBlue) used by Democratic politicians and liberal groups.

The New York Post reported that it appears that Prosecutor Hoffinger has only donated to the Democratic Party since 2004.

In this case, when Trump’s lawyer, Todd Blanche, claimed that Daniels’ “testimony was biased,” prosecutor Hoffinger countered by calling it a “baseless allegation.” Judge Merchan ruled in favor of Hofffinger.

In relation to this, Ellis Stefanik, the Republican leader of the New York State House of Representatives, criticized, “Joe Biden’s witch hunt against former President Trump is clear election interference,” and “the prosecutor in this case, like the judge, is donor to Joe Biden. “

◆ Witness Stormy Daniels says, “Trump was informed right before the trial started”

Stormy Daniels’ witness appearance was not announced in advance. It is known that Trump was notified shortly before the trial began. It really was a ‘surprise appearance’.

Enlarge Trump Photo Trial Sketch [로이터 연합뉴스]

Naturally, Trump strongly opposed it.

Before the trial, Trump posted a message on Truth Social, a social networking service (SNS).

He said, “I’ve just heard who the witness was today. This is unprecedented. He expressed his displeasure, saying, “The lawyers didn’t have time to prepare.”

However, this post was immediately deleted. In response to this, the local media are speculating that it could be linked to the ‘silence order’ that Judge Mercan gave to Trump.

Judge Merchan previously ordered former President Trump to refrain from slandering witnesses, prosecutors, court staff, jurors, and their families involved in this case. Nevertheless, when Trump posted criticism on social media, a total fine of $10,000 was imposed so far.

Judge Merchan even mentioned the possibility of ‘jail time’ as well as fines.

As the trial began, Trump’s lawyer said, “We’ve just been told that Daniels will appear as the second witness. “I again object to her evidence, particularly the details of her sexual activities,” he said.

But that didn’t stop Daniels from testifying.

◆ Trump is stuck in New York four days a week… Biden is campaigning across the country

This trial is expected to last at least six weeks. During this time, former President Trump has to appear in court in New York four times a week. Because the United States is so big, it is not easy for Trump to campaign across the country.

In this regard, a recent report by the New York Times (NYT) attracts attention.

Enlarge photo of US President Biden [AP 연합뉴스]

The media reported that President Joe Biden has major schedules scheduled for Wednesday. The reason is that Wednesday is the only day from Monday to Friday that Trump’s trial does not take place. Trump can only campaign freely on this day.

On other days, the news about Trump’s trial will be mostly reported.

But on Wednesday, the Trump campaign could hit the media.

NYT reported, “The White House and Biden campaign are trying to focus public attention on President Biden and Vice President Harris by holding an event Wednesday to block the opportunity for Trump’s election campaign to open up to the media .”

◆ More than half of Americans say “impeachment of Trump is a political decision”

Trump is the first president of the United States to face a criminal case, but support for him remains strong. In particular, many Americans consider this trial a ‘political trial.’

According to a recent Harvard University poll, 55% of Americans responded that they believed Trump’s impeachment was politically motivated.

In a CNN poll, 56% of respondents were skeptical that Trump’s trial would have a fair outcome. Only 44% responded that it would be fair.

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