Donald J. Trump’s trial is scheduled for March 25, 2024, the judge presiding over his criminal case in Manhattan said Tuesday.
Trump, who appeared on video in his first court appearance since 34 felony charges were unsealed against him last month, appeared to react angrily when Judge Juan Merchan announced a trial date. Trump’s microphone was muted and it was unclear what he said to the lawyer sitting next to him, Todd Blanche.
The apparition itself was brief. Judge Merchan reviewed the restrictions he placed on Trump’s use of the case material and asked Blanche if she had reviewed the restrictions with her client. Mr. Blanche said yes.
Prosecutors working for District Attorney Alvin L. Bragg have called for limiting Mr. Trump’s access to some of the case material and requested that Judge Merchan prohibit the former president from releasing prosecution evidence, including records. from witness interviews and grand jury testimony. on social media or to journalists.
Trump’s lawyers denied that request, but at a hearing earlier this month, Judge Merchan said he would grant it. However, he stressed that Trump would be free to speak about the “vast majority of the evidence.”
Prosecutors also requested at that hearing that Trump be read the terms of the restrictions, which are contained in a document called a protective order, in person. Judge Merchan agreed to a virtual appearance and scheduled the hearing for Tuesday.
Before the arraignment began, Mr. Trump waited in front of the camera, viewable in high definition to the entire courtroom, an extraordinary way to meet the former president. He narrowed his eyes and frowned at the camera, clasping his hands together, never keeping them in the same position for long. He seemed like a man not used to waiting.
Trump barely spoke into his microphone on once the hearing began. But as Judge Merchan reviewed the schedule for the motion to proceed with trial, he seemed increasingly agitated and spoke frequently with Mr. Blanche.
The charges against Trump stem from a hush money payment made to a porn star on his behalf during the 2016 campaign. The payment was made by former Trump fixer Michael D. Cohen; after winning the presidency, Trump reimbursed Cohen, signing nine of the 11 checks used to pay him. Prosecutors say Trump’s family business, the Trump Organization, then created false records to account for the payments, saying they were made to pay Cohen for legal services.
Trump’s lawyers are trying to move the case from state court to federal court, which is likely to be a long-term effort. A federal judge will consider his request at a federal court hearing on June 27.
