Achi news desk-
New York judge may set new trial date in Trump bailout case as ex-president faces bond deadline
Good morning, US politics blog readers. Today is another big one for Donald Trump and his lawyers, who are expected in a New York City courtroom for a hearing that could decide when his case on charges related to hush money payments goes to trial any time soon. Jury selection was originally scheduled to begin today, but Manhattan district attorney Alvin Bragg request a delay after receiving new documents from federal prosecutors. He now says that there is no need for further adjournments, and we will see if a judge Juan Merchant agrees. Trump has been impeached four times, but all of his cases are tied up in pretrial motions and appeals, raising the possibility that none of them will be resolved before his expected appearance in November’s presidential election against Joe Biden. The Manhattan case seems to be the closest to the start of the case, and we’ll see if Merchan gets the ball rolling, or gives the former president another delay.
Today is also the deadline for Trump to raise the $454m bond required by the judgment in his fraudulent property valuation case, or face the prospect that New York’s attorney general Letitia James begins seizing his bank accounts and, possibly, his commercial property. The former president has struggled to find a supporter willing to do so, but there is still time for someone to step up.
Here’s what else is happening today:
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Bidenwho has been unpopular with voters for most of his presidency, has overtaken Trump in the Economist polling average, perhaps a sign of better days to come.
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Congress He left Washington DC after narrowly avoiding a partial government shutdown, but leaving behind all sorts of unfinished business, including whether or not to approve military aid to Israel and Ukraine.
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White House Press Secretary, Karine Jean-Pierre spars with reporters at 1pm ET.
Key events
Among the readers of Donald Trump’s Truth Social account is Joe Biden – or at least whoever manages his X account.
They saw fit to mock the former president for announcing that he had received an award from… well, himself:
Here’s the latest on Donald Trump’s search for a $454m bond, and what happens if he doesn’t secure one in the next few hours, from the Guardian’s Dominic Rushe:
Time was running out for Donald Trump to secure a bond covering the $454m loss for his recent fraud loss on Monday, opening the way for New York’s attorney general to begin the long, slow process of seizing his assets.
The former president has until Monday to secure a bond covering the half billion dollar judgment against him while he appeals the decision. Trump must post collateral covering 120% of the judgment, according to court filings, an amount of more than $557m. Last week his lawyers said it was a “practical impossibility” for him to secure a bond of this size.
“A bond of this magnitude is rarely, if ever, seen. In the unusual circumstances in which a bond of this size is issued, it is being provided to the largest public companies in the world, not to private individuals or businesses,” his lawyers argued.
The attorney general, Letitia James, had made it clear that she would seize Trump’s assets if the bond was not secured. On Friday, his office filed rulings in Westchester county, north of New York City, home to Trump’s sprawling Seven Springs estate and golf course.
A ruling has already been entered in New York City, which is home to some of Trump’s most famous assets, including Trump Tower and 40 Wall Street.
As deadline to post $454m bond looms, Trump asks ‘Why should I be forced to sell my “babies”‘
Donald Trump is doing what he’s doing this morning: raging on Truth Social about the latest developments in his career as a businessman and politician, the latest topic being the massive $454m bond he’s at his best.
The former president has not found someone willing to back his guarantee, raising the possibility that Letitia James it may start freezing his bank accounts and confiscating his property. Regarding Truth, Trump was apoplectic at the prospect of having to part with some of his real estate, or “babies”, in order to meet his financial obligations:
Crooked polls!!! It should not be a FINE. He did nothing wrong! Why should I be forced to sell my “babies” because a NEW YORK GOVERNMENT JUDGE AND AG IS PUTTING A FAKE AND SCAM NUMBER. “TAKE HIS MONEY SO HE CAN’T USE IT TO DEFEAT HIS POLITICAL OPPONENT, JOE BIDEN IS BROKEN.” ELECTION INTERFERENCE, ALL LEAD BY THE WHITE HOUSE – THIS INCLUDES FANNY AND THE GOOD MANHATTAN BRAGG HAS ADMITTED THAT THERE WAS NO CRIME, AND WAS MORTIFIED BY WHAT CAME TO THAT – WHICH SHOULD BE. WITCH HUNT!
New York judge may set new trial date in Trump bailout case as ex-president faces bond deadline
Good morning, US politics blog readers. Today is another big one for Donald Trump and his lawyers, who are expected in a New York City courtroom for a hearing that could decide when his case on charges related to hush money payments goes to trial any time soon. Jury selection was originally scheduled to begin today, but Manhattan district attorney Alvin Bragg request a delay after receiving new documents from federal prosecutors. He now says that there is no need for further adjournments, and we will see if a judge Juan Merchant agrees. Trump has been impeached four times, but all of his cases are tied up in pretrial motions and appeals, raising the possibility that none of them will be resolved before his expected appearance in November’s presidential election against Joe Biden. The Manhattan case seems to be the closest to the start of the case, and we’ll see if Merchan gets the ball rolling, or gives the former president another delay.
Today is also the deadline for Trump to post the $454m bond required by the judgment in his fraudulent property valuation case, or face the prospect that New York’s attorney general Letitia James begins seizing his bank accounts and, possibly, his commercial property. The former president has struggled to find a supporter willing to do so, but there is still time for someone to step up.
Here’s what else is happening today:
-
Bidenwho has been unpopular with voters for most of his presidency, has overtaken Trump in the Economist polling average, perhaps a sign of better days to come.
-
Congress He left Washington DC after narrowly avoiding a partial government shutdown, but leaving behind all sorts of unfinished business, including whether or not to approve military aid to Israel and Ukraine.
-
White House Press Secretary, Karine Jean-Pierre spars with reporters at 1pm ET.
