The judge in Donald Trump’s hush-money trial dismissed dozens of potential jurors on Monday, saying they could not fairly decide whether the former U.S. president was guilty or not guilty of criminal charges.

On the first day of the historic criminal trial – the first involving a former president – Judge Juan Melchan told nearly 100 prospective jurors they must put aside any bias or personal attitude toward the defendant or the case. , including “political orientation.”

At least 50 people have been fired after saying they could not fairly judge Trump, the 2024 Republican presidential candidate.

Others were excused because they were unable to serve for other reasons.

“I just can’t do it,” one prospective juror said outside the courtroom.

Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg, a Democrat, has accused Trump of falsifying records to cover up a $130,000 (£104,000) payment late in the 2016 presidential campaign to pay off porn star Stormy Daniels Stormy Daniels’ silence about a sexual encounter in 2006. Already said.

Trump’s former lawyer and fixer Michael Cohen testified that he made the payment in exchange for Ms. Daniels’ silence before the 2016 election, in which Trump defeated Democrat Hillary Clinton ·Hillary Clinton.

Trump has denied any such relationship with Ms. Daniels and has pleaded not guilty.

In their seats in the New York City courtroom, many potential panelists craned their necks to get a look at Trump.

Lawyers for both sides will seek to appoint 12 jurors and six alternates for the only criminal case Trump faces before the Nov. 5 election.

Selection of a jury from a pool of people from heavily Democratic Manhattan could take days, followed by opening statements and testimony from a series of potentially riveting witnesses, including Mr. Cohen and Ms. Daniels.

Judge Merchant said that in order to convict, the jury must find Trump guilty beyond a reasonable doubt, not that he is “probably” guilty.

A guilty verdict would not prevent Trump from taking office, but half of independent voters and a quarter of Republicans said they would not vote for him if he was convicted, according to a Reuters/Ipsos poll.

In New York, falsifying business records is a felony punishable by up to four years in prison, although many people found guilty receive fines or probation.

Trump, wearing his signature blue suit and red tie, sat in the dock and watched as prosecutors asked the judge to fine him and remind him he could be charged with violating a gag order that barred him from interfering with potential witnesses. And jailed.

Mr. Trump, 77, must attend the trial unless he seeks immunity.

Prosecutors asked the judge to fine Mr. Trump $1,000 for each of three social media posts he made this month about Mr. Cohen and Ms. Daniels.

“The defendant has shown that he is willing to flout the order. He has attacked witnesses in the case and he has attacked grand jurors in the case in the past,” prosecutor Christopher Conroy said.

Judge Merchan will consider the proposed fine until April 23.

Under the silent judge’s gag order, Trump is prohibited from making public statements about potential witness testimony as well as prosecutors, court staff and their families if those statements are intended to interfere with the case.

Trump’s lawyer, Todd Branch, said Trump did not violate the gag order because he was responding to Ms. Daniels and Mr. Cohen, who he said “just kept disparaging President Trump.” .

Cohen pleaded guilty in 2018 to violating campaign finance laws, but federal prosecutors who brought the case did not bring charges against Trump.

Trump has called Cohen a “serial liar” and his lawyers are expected to attack his credibility at trial.

The Republican candidate for the 2024 presidential election earlier told reporters outside the courthouse: “This is a witch hunt.

“This is an attack on America. That’s why I’m so proud to be here. This is an attack on our country. This is a failing country.

“This is a country run by an incompetent man who is closely connected to this case. This is really an attack on a political opponent. Nothing more. So I’m honored to be here.”

As he left the courtroom, Trump complained that he would miss his son’s graduation because of the trial.

In three other criminal cases, Trump is accused of mishandling classified information and trying to overturn his 2020 election loss to Democrat Joe Biden. He has pleaded not guilty in all those cases.