Live updates on the hush money trial against Trump: Trump calls the trial an “attack on America”

(NEW YORK) – Former President Donald Trump is on trial in New York City, where he is accused of crimes related to a 2016 hush money payment to adult film actress Stormy Daniels. It is the first time in history that a former US president has been tried for a crime.

Last April, Trump pleaded not guilty to a 34-count indictment accusing him of falsifying business records related to a hush-money payment from his then-lawyer Michael Cohen to Daniels to boost his electoral prospects in the 2016 presidential election.

Jury selection can take up to two weeks, with the entire process expected to take between six and eight weeks.

This is how the news develops. All times Easter:

April 15, 10:03 am
The process is ongoing

“All rise,” the bailiff announced at 9:59 a.m. ET. “This is the people of New York State versus Donald J. Trump.”

And so the process is underway.

Members of the prosecution and defense, including the former president, stood briefly as Judge Juan Merchan entered the courtroom and took his place on the bench.

Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg entered the courtroom shortly before the court session began.

April 15, 9:41 a.m
Trump calls trial “attack on America”

Former President Trump arrived in the courtroom at 9:32 a.m., flanked by members of his legal team.

In brief remarks to reporters en route, he called his criminal trial an “attack on America.”

“There has never been anything like this,” Trump said, marking his first comments of the day as he becomes the first former American president to face criminal charges.

“There is no case,” he said. “This is political persecution.”

Trump also attacked President Joe Biden and said the case should not be pursued.

When he entered the courtroom, he sat at the defendant's table while his attorneys and court officials milled around him.

April 15, 9:23 a.m
Members of the DA team arrive

Several members of the Manhattan District Attorney's Office have arrived in the courtroom.

The proceedings are scheduled to begin at 9:30 a.m. ET.

April 15, 9:06 a.m
Trump arrives at the courthouse

Former President Trump arrived at the courthouse in Lower Manhattan.

He got out of his motorcade, waved and entered the side entrance.

A small group of supporters and protesters cheered and booed his arrival.

April 15, 8:59 a.m
Trump on the way to the courthouse

Former President Trump is on his way to the courthouse in Lower Manhattan for this morning's hearing.

The former president walked from Trump Tower in midtown Manhattan to the courthouse.

April 15, 7:26 am
The court could begin hearing Trump's testimony

The court may begin a hearing this morning on what prosecutors may ask Trump on cross-examination if he takes the stand later in the trial.

The judge would hear arguments from both the people and the defense. The proceedings would then move on to jury selection later in the morning.

Prosecutors have indicated they want to cross-examine Trump on about “thirteen different court rulings,” including the recent civil finding that he sexually abused columnist E. Jean Carroll, last year's criminal conviction of the Trump Organization and the finding that that he engaged in sexual abuse, a decade of business fraud and the dissolution of his charity, according to sources familiar with the matter.

The hearing – known as the Sandoval hearing – is a common practice before jury selection and typically occurs when a defendant signals a willingness to testify.

In a filing last month, Trump's lawyers called for a Sandoval hearing to limit the scope of any possible cross-examination against Trump should he decide to testify.

ABC News' Katherine Faulders contributed to this report.

April 15, 7:06 am
Jury selection begins

Former President Trump will leave his Trump Tower apartment in midtown Manhattan this morning and travel to Lower Manhattan for the first day of jury selection in his hush money trial.

The trial comes after Trump unsuccessfully tried three times last week to delay the start of the trial by filing appeals.

As a defendant in a criminal case, the former president must be in court throughout the trial, which is expected to last six to eight weeks.

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