Sentencing in the Trump Trial to be Announced After the Election

First Hearing in Trump Trial Over Election Manipulation Underway ... After Months

The trial against former US President Donald Trump for alleged conspiracy against the 2020 election has finally begun with a hearing after months of delays. The prosecution and Trump's lawyers are fiercely arguing over the schedule for the trial. Trump's lawyers are pushing to have the trial scheduled for after the November 5th presidential election or even after the inauguration of the new president on January 20th. Trump is accused of attempting to overturn the election result in various ways after his loss and incited radical supporters to storm the Capitol on January 6th. The trial was originally supposed to begin on March 4th, but Trump's lawyers took the case to the Supreme Court to clarify the issue of presidential immunity. The court granted presidents extensive immunity in July, which means the trial cannot begin until the question of immunity is settled, which is not expected before November 5th. Special prosecutor Jack Smith has filed a revised indictment that takes into account the Supreme Court's ruling. Trump pleaded not guilty during the hearing and if he were to win the election, he could instruct the Justice Department to dismiss the charges against him.