Opening statements set to start in Trump criminal trial

WASHINGTON (NEXSTAR) – With the final members of the jury selected opening statements are set to start Monday in what is expected to be a six-week trial for the Donald Trump hush money case.

The panel of New York jurors will decide Trump’s fate in the first criminal trial of a former U.S. president.

After days of questioning and vetting a jury was selected for Trump’s hush money trial.

Last week, Trump again insisted the case should never have been brought.

“This is really a concerted witch hunt it’s very simple,” said Trump.

The trial starts with opening statements prosecutors will lay out their case alleging that Trump covered up his scheme involving adult film star Stormy Daniels fearing it would hurt his campaign in 2016. He’s pled not guilty.

“This is a giant witch hunt to try and hurt a campaign that’s beating the worst president in history,” said Trump.

Trump is doing double duty as a defendant and presidential candidate.

Over the weekend, he had to cancel his first rally since the trial started due to weather.

“What will do is we’ll make up for this very quickly at another time,” said Trump.

South Dakota Republican Governor Kristi Noem says it’s ridiculous to bring these charges up after all these years.

“To do it conveniently during a presidential election when he is campaigning to return to the White House I think proves that this is all really politically motivated,” said Noem.

Trump faces more than 30 felony counts of falsifying business records. He could get up to four years in prison if convicted, though it’s not clear that the judge would opt to put him behind bars.

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