Former President Donald Trump’s New York criminal trial is taking longer than anticipated, and closing arguments are expected to be made on May 28, according to the judge overseeing the case. The extended timeline means that the jury may not make a decision until the seventh week of the trial. Judge Juan Merchan stated there are rules that prevent allowing expert witnesses to interpret laws, which led him to decline an expert witness from giving his opinion on election law and analyzing whether President Trump’s alleged activity violates election laws.
The court will be adjourned on Wednesday, May 22, as well as this Friday and on May 27. Prosecutors have presented around 20 witnesses, including former Trump associate Michael Cohen. Trump has pleaded not guilty to falsifying business records, stating that the charges were brought in an attempt to harm his 2024 presidential campaign’s chances.
The former president is also facing election-related charges in Washington and Georgia, as well as charges in Florida of mishandling classified documents after leaving the White House in 2021. He has pleaded not guilty in all three cases. Trump expressed frustration with the trial’s schedule, which has prevented him from campaigning for his 2024 presidential bid.