Trump faces trial/Biden focuses on abortion

2024-04-22 18:16:00, Kosova & Bota CNA

The criminal trial against former President Donald Trump enters a new phase today, as the defense lawyers and prosecutors are expected to present their arguments to the jury members. Meanwhile, as Voice of America correspondent Veronica Balderas Iglesias reports, President Joe Biden is expected to stay in Tampa, Florida on Tuesday to talk about reproductive rights as part of the presidential campaign.

Now that the 12 jurors have been selected, former President Trump's prosecutors and defense attorneys present their arguments today in the criminal trial of former President Donald Trump in Manhattan, New York, on charges of concealing payment to a pornographic actress in exchange. of her silence.

He faces 34 criminal charges over his alleged role in trying to hide a payment made to actress Stormy Daniels, who claims she had an extramarital affair with Mr Trump, before the 2016 presidential campaign. Mr Trump, who is expected to to receive the Republican nomination for this year's elections, has persistently denied the accusations leveled against him.

"This is a witch hunt through which an attempt is being made to damage the campaign of someone who is facing the worst president in the history of the country. (President Joe) Biden is the worst president in the history of the country. It beats it to a considerable extent. And this is the only way they think they can win. But I will do badly," said the Republican candidate for President, Donald Trump.

Bad weather forced Mr Trump to cancel a rally in North Carolina this weekend.

On Saturday, he used the Truth Social platform to raise claims that he should have presidential immunity, in connection with another case brought against him for interference in the presidential election.

Arguments on this case will be heard by the Supreme Court on April 25. Some Democratic voters, who are following the issue with interest, may be swayed and become more determined, analysts say.

"As for the voters who are following the issue, it has little to do with Donald Trump's supporters because many of them like authoritarian tendencies and would like him to do whatever he can as president. President Biden has argued that he cannot be voted back into the White House leadership of someone who is a real threat to democracy, to do whatever they (his supporters) would like him to do," says Todd Belt of the University , "George Washington".

President Biden, who is running for re-election, continues to ignore his opponent's legal challenges. On Friday, he directed his political message to members of the electrical workers' union.

"My predecessor took away protections for American workers. He opposed raising the minimum wage. And he's proud, very proud of the $2 trillion tax cut when he was president that largely benefited the wealthy and created the biggest corporations while the federal debt skyrocketed," President Biden said.

Union workers represent an electorate that both candidates need to secure victory, says Georgetown University's Hans Noel.

"The Democratic Party is the force that in the past has supported the causes of union workers and is something that should be remembered if Biden wants their votes. Meanwhile, Trump is also targeting the same group, but with a slightly different message, a message related to immigration and values".

In the coming weeks, former President Trump must be present at hearings for the criminal trial against him. According to the calendar posted on his campaign website, he is not expected to hold any campaign meetings until May 11, when the rally is held in Wildwood, New Jersey.

President Biden's campaign team told VOA that he is expected to give a speech in Tampa, Florida, on Tuesday, where he will focus on an important issue for the 2024 election, the freedom of reproductive rights./ VOA