Trump trial latest: Manhattan DA warns nothing will be off limits if he takes stand

Alex Woodward filed this report from the courthouse after the end of the second day of Donald Trump’s historic trial:

Seven Manhattan residents – including an Irish waiter, an oncology nurse and a man who finds Donald Trump “fascinating” – have now been selected to serve on a jury that could deliver the first criminal trial verdict against the former president.

About 100 people were called into the jury pool on Monday. Roughly half of them were dismissed outright, stating that they could not be fair and impartial. A randomly selected group of potential jurors were asked to read through a 42-question survey before prosecutors and attorneys for the former president asked them questions individually.

By Tuesday afternoon, seven jurors had been sworn in to the trial – including the foreperson who will likely read out the former president’s verdict to the court, if one is reached.

It seems the crowds that come out to protest the persecution of the former president are getting smaller, and weirder, Richard Hall writes:

The block of the repeal comes despite several major Republicans in and out of the state, such as former President Donald Trump, having called for a more moderate solution.

Many voters, including some who back the Republicans, see the law as antiquated and an extreme effort to restrict the rights of women.

A nurse, a teacher, two lawyers, a salesman and a grandfather are among some of the first jurors tasked with hearing the first-ever criminal trial against a president.

Ms Lake, a failed 2020 Arizona gubernatorial candidate who has never formally conceded her loss to now-governor Katie Hobbs, told a rally at Lake Havasu City on Tuesday that the lead-up to the election is going to be “intense”.

“We’re going to strap on our seatbelt. We’re going to put on our helmet – or your Kari Lake ball cap,” she continued. “We are going to put on the armour of God. And maybe strap on a Glock on the side of us just in case.” The crowd cheered.

John Bowden report from Washington, DC:

House speaker Mike Johnson is attempting a high-wire act this week – one that could blow up in his face, cost him the job he has clung to for six months, and throw the lower chamber into chaos.

The ultra-conservative Republican is supporting a vote on Ukraine aid despite many of his party’s conservative wing being strongly against it. A conservative rebellion is growing, with a challenge to his leadership from firebrand congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene who was joined on Tuesday by a second lawmaker.

Now, he’s come up with a complicated plan to pass foreign aid by breaking up the supplemental national security funding package already passed by the Senate.

House Oversight Chair James Comer has dropped his impeachment inquiry hearing invitation to President Joe Biden, CNN reports.

The White House had previously declined the invitation.

The Republican lawmaker instead in a new letter sent today is pressing for access to a slew of documents and has requested that the president answer written questions.

Kelly Rissman and Ariana Baio report:

Former president Donald Trump will be asked about his previous misconduct and criminal acts — including instances of sexual abuse and fraud — if he takes the stand at his historic hush money trial.

Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg revealed a list that includes “all misconduct and criminal acts of the defendant not charged in the indictment” which his office “intend to use at trial to impeach the credibility of” Mr Trump, should he testify, according to a newly released court filing.