THE TRIAL BEGINS: Trump’s Defense Team Holds Nothing Back

On Monday, opening statements for the trial of former President Trump began in New York City where attorney’s for Trump claimed Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg’s 34-count indictment was nothing more than “34 pieces of paper.”

The indictments facing the former president are for falsifying business records with the 34 counts being payments/reimbursements made to Trump’s former attorney Michael Cohen, who allegedly made the payment to porn star Stormy Daniels as hush money in the amount of $130,000 before the 2016 election.  Todd Blanche is the defense attorney for former President Trump and claimed he is “innocent” and asked the jury to remember that Trump is not just a former president and TV star but a husband and father who should be treated as innocent until proven guilty.

“The 34 counts, ladies and gentlemen, are really just pieces of paper,” Blanche reportedly said. “None of this was a crime.”

Blanche argued that the payments made to Michael Cohen was not a reimbursement for any hush money given to Stormy Daniels and Trump “had nothing to do” with these payments except “sign the checks” as they were submitted for reimbursement.

According to CBS News, “Think for a moment of what the People just told you. President Trump did not pay Mr. Cohen back $130,000. President Trump paid Michael Cohen $420,000,” Blanche said. “Would a frugal businessman, would a man who ‘pinches pennies,’ repay a $130,000 debt to the tune of $420,000?”

The prosecution led by Matthew Colangelo, framed his opening statement to portray the payments as a much larger “conspiracy” of corruption during the 2016 election.

CNN reported that Blanche did acknowledge that Stormy Daniels did enter a nondisclosure agreement for $130,000 of which is not illegal.

“There’s nothing wrong with trying to influence an election. It’s called democracy. They’ve put something sinister on this idea as if it was a crime,” he said. “President Trump fought back like he always does, and like he’s entitled to do. To protect his family, his reputation, and his brand. And that is not a crime.”

Trump’s attorney also destroyed Michael Cohen’s credibility as the star-witness for the prosecution.  Blanche described Cohen as an “admitted liar” who “talked extensively about his desire to see President Trump go to prison.”  Cohen also plead guilty to numerous charges including making false statements to a bank, tax evasion, and many campaign finance violations.

“He cheated on his taxes,” Blanche said according to CBS News. “He lied to banks. He lied about side businesses he had with taxi medallions and other things, and, as the people alluded to, in 2018, he got caught.”