Trump trial: Judge rebukes Michael Cohen ahead of expected testimony Monday

In an written order issued this morning, Judge Juan Merchan quashed the defense's attempt to subpoena former Manhattan Assistant District Attorney Mark Pomerantz.

Pomerantz resigned from the Manhattan district attorney's office in 2022, not long after DA Alvin Bragg opted not to pursue his case against Trump.

Pomerantz later wrote a book about his investigation, and defense lawyers issued multiple requests for his records related to the book and files from his time with the Manhattan DA's office.

In his ruling, Merchan said that Trump's requests were too broad, sought irrelevant information, and were procedurally improper. He wrote some of the requests were "far too broad and amount to an improper fishing expedition into general discovery."

Donald Trump has entered the courtroom carrying a stack of papers.

He immediately took his seat at the defense table.

He is joined in court today by the woman who runs his presidential campaign, Susie Wiles, and his legal adviser Boris Ephsteyn.

Prosecutors and staff from the Manhattan district attorney's office have arrived in court.

Prosecutors Joshua Steinglass, Becky Mangold and Christopher Conroy are seated at counsel table.

Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg is not present in court this morning.

Michael Cohen, the prosecution's star witness in Donald Trump's hush money trial, is expected to take the stand Monday, according to multiple sources familiar with the case.

Trump's former attorney and "fixer," Cohen made the $130,000 payment to Stormy Daniels that sits at the center of the case, in order to buy her silence and help Trump's electoral prospects in the 2016 presidential election.

Prosecutors accuse of Trump falsifying business records when he repaid Cohen the $130,000.