Former US President Donald Trump is set to appear as a criminal defendant in a New York courtroom, facing allegations linked to a $130,000 payment made to adult film actress Stormy Daniels. This high-profile trial questions the integrity of hush money payments and their implications on the 2016 election. Trump, denying all accusations, labels the charges as part of a political witch hunt. His legal challenges also extend to accusations of mishandling classified documents at his Mar-a-Lago residence. Walt Nauta, Trump’s valet, linked to this case, has pleaded not guilty to charges of conspiracy and lying to the FBI about his awareness of these documents.

As Trump confronts these legal battles, his political future hangs in balance, especially with the upcoming US election. This scenario is further complicated with his various strategies to delay his trials, with humor being made at his expense by late-night host Jimmy Fallon, alluding to his legal predicaments.

Jury selection for his trial, starting Monday, is a significant aspect led by Judge Juan M. Merchan. Prospective jurors from Manhattan will undergo scrutiny to ensure they can judge the case without bias. With Trump facing 34 counts of falsifying business records, the outcome of this trial will be decided by these carefully selected jurors. Their anonymity is strictly maintained to protect them from external pressures and ensure an impartial decision.

Trump’s trials not only challenge his Teflon image but also pose critical questions about the accountability mechanisms in the US justice system, especially given his stature and the political implications of his legal challenges.