Good day, everyone. Im Andrea Mitchell in new york along with my colleague and friend, Chris Jansing, as history is being made in that Lower Manhattan courtroom. Donald trump is the first former president of the United States to stand as a defendant in a criminal trial. At any moment, could be facing the first witness to testify against him. Thats expected to be former National Enquirer publisher, david pecker. Hes likely to be pressed about alleged efforts to bury damaging stories about donald trump during the 2016 election. Earlier this morning, prosecutors gave their open statement, accusing mr. Trump of a criminal conspiracy to hide embarrassing relationships by preventing them from getting into the press, thus influencing the outcome of the 2016 election then covering it all up. The defense followed saying that mr. Trump did not commit any crimes, describing him as not just the republican nominee, but as the frugal business man, also a husband and a father. Defense lawyer todd bla
Over for the today as we explained earlier for anyone just joining us. There was an alternate juror who needed to see the dentist. Shes got a Tooth Ache and no judge is going to keep someone with a Tooth Ache listening to testimony or opening statements. They adjourned a lot earlier than expected. They were already going to adjourn at 2 00 because of the Passover Holiday which started at sun down tonight. People have to get home and do all their preparations. But were joined now by mark short, former Chief Of Staff to former Vice President mike pence. Talk to us about what you see as the political fallout from the kind of testimony that youre going to hear based on the opening statements. Its rather salacious. Its, at least from the prosecution side, the allegations about past behaviors and also what we heard from the judge today, leaving it up to the judges discretion