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Donald Trump expected to appear in New York court for Stormy Daniels hearing; New York attorney general could start seizing properties if bond isn’t paid
Good morning, US politics blog readers. Today is another big one for Donald Trump and his lawyers, who are expected in a New York City courtroom for a hearing that may decide when his case on charges related to hush money payments goes to trial anytime soon. Jury selection was originally supposed to begin today, but Manhattan district attorney Alvin Bragg requested a delay after receiving new documents from federal prosecutors. He now says no further postponements are necessary, and we’ll see if judge Juan Merchan agrees. Trump has been indicted four times, but all of his cases have been tied up in pre-trial motions and appeals, raising the possibility that none are resolved prior to his expected face off in the November presidential election against Joe Biden. The Manhattan case appears to be the one closest to starting trial, and we’ll see if Merchan gets the ball rolling, or gives the former president another delay.
Today is also the deadline for Trump to put up a $454m bond required by the judgement in his fraudulent property valuation case, or face that prospect that New York attorney general Letitia James starts seizing his bank accounts and, potentially, his commercial property. The former president has had trouble finding a backer willing to do that, but there’s still time for someone to step up.
Biden, who has not been popular with voters for most of his presidency, overtook Trump in the Economist’s polling average, perhaps a sign of better days to come.
Congress left Washington DC after narrowly averting a partial government shutdown, but leaving behind all kinds of unfinished business, including whether or not to approve military aid to Israel and Ukraine.
White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre spars with reporters at 1pm ET.
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