For the first time, the prosecution and defense revealed their strategies for the trial – both sides stunned the public. Meanwhile, Donald Trump is threatening trouble with the judge. The day of the opening statements shows how things could continue.
Most of the time, Donald Trump just sits there and listens – hour after hour. When a prosecutor or witness says something he doesn’t like, he shakes his head or writes a message to his lawyer on a piece of paper. Otherwise he has to do what is unusual for him: remain silent, wait, listen.
In his opening statement on Monday, a prosecutor spent three quarters of an hour explaining why he believes Trump is guilty. Trump’s chief counsel’s response took less than half the time. Five lessons from the start of the first criminal trial in American history against a former US president: