The charges against Trump

Analysis: Tumultuous and unique day in US history 

At the same time as a judge in New York ruled that the historic first criminal trial against Donald Trump begins in March, another sensational court hearing was held in Georgia, writes Stephen Collinson for CNN.  

There, Fani Willis, prosecutor in the election fraud case against Trump, is suspected of having had a relationship with a prosecutor colleague whom she hired in the case - which could lead to it being declared invalid.  

"The high-profile hearings nearly 150 miles apart speak to the extraordinary tumult of the 2024 election, and to Trump's legal predicament that now spans multiple presidential elections," Collinson writes.  

The indictment on the payment to porn star Stormy Daniels is not the most serious charge Trump faces, but unless something unforeseen happens, it will be the first to lead to a criminal trial, writes the BBC's Anthony Zurcher.  

So far, the various charges against the ex-president have not affected his chances of being re-elected, he continues. "Trump's upcoming trial may not change that dynamic, but it will be unique in American history all the same." 

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Trump's first criminal trial begins on March 25  

The trial against Donald Trump over the payment to porn star Stephanie "Stormy Daniels" Clifford will begin on March 25 as planned, US media reports.  

Trump's request to dismiss the indictment was denied by Judge Juan Marchan. The trial begins with jury selection.  

Trump is accused of having, via his lawyer Michael Cohen, paid the equivalent of over one million kroner to Clifford before the 2016 presidential election in order for her to keep quiet about an alleged affair between her and the ex-president. 

It will be the first criminal trial against Trump, and against a former American president in general, writes the Washington Post.