Trump’s lawyers have filed a motion seeking to block key witnesses from testifying at his upcoming criminal trial over hush money payments.
The motion aims to prevent testimony from Michael Cohen, Stormy Daniels, and Karen McDougal.
Cohen is Trump’s former personal attorney who facilitated the payments, while Daniels and McDougal are the women who received hush money after alleging affairs with Trump.
Trump’s lawyers argue the witnesses lack credibility, with Cohen in particular described as a “liar.”
“Michael Cohen is a liar,” Trump’s attorneys wrote.
“He recently committed perjury, on the stand and under oath, at a civil trial involving President Trump. If his public statements are any indication, he plans to do so again at this criminal trial. The Court should preclude Cohen’s testimony in order to protect the integrity of this Court and the process of justice,” they said.
The defense also wants to preclude prosecutors from introducing the 2005 “Access Hollywood” tape or other evidence meant to portray Trump negatively.
Jury selection for the trial on charges of falsifying business records is scheduled to begin on March 25 in what would be the first criminal trial for a former U.S. president.
