Trump trial: Biden calls Trump's remarks 'dangerous'
Trump was found guilty on all 34 felony counts in his hush money trial.
Former President Donald Trump has been found guilty on all 34 felony counts related to a 2016 hush money payment to adult film actress Stormy Daniels. It marks the first time in history that a former U.S. president has been convicted on criminal charges.
Trump last April pleaded not guilty to a 34-count indictment charging him with falsifying business records in connection with a hush money payment his then-attorney Michael Cohen made to Daniels in order to boost his electoral prospects in the 2016 presidential election.
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Trump guilty on all 34 counts
'President Trump is innocent,' defense lawyer says
"I'm going to start with something I can say i think with confidence … which is just to thank you. To thank you for your jury service," defense attorney Todd Blanche told jurors to begin his closing argument.
"Each of you will decide ... whether President Trump is guilty or not guilty," he said.
All eyes in this courtroom are on Blanche. Every member of Trump's family is looking at him. The jurors are staring at him, many with pens in their hands ready to take notes.
"President Trump is innocent," Blanche said. "He did not commit any crimes, and the district attorney has not met their burden of proof. Period."
Defense closings to take around 2.5 hours
Defense counsel Todd Blanche says he has a 2.5-hour closing, "maybe a little longer."
Prosecutors say they estimate they have a 4 or 4.5-hour closing.
“Defense counsel must come up first, and the prosecutor must follow,” Judge Merchan said.
Merchan says he will ask the jury if they will work later than 4:30 p.m. to do all the closings in one day.
Proceedings underway
Judge Juan Merchan has taken his seat at the bench.
"Good morning, counsel. Good morning, Mr. Trump," Merchan said in his normal greeting to start the proceedings.
Trump enters courtroom with several family members
Donald Trump has entered the courtroom alongside his lawyers.
Don Trump, Jr., Eric Trump, Lara Trump, and Tiffany Trump followed behind the former president and took seats in the gallery immediately behind the defense counsel table.
Today is the first time Tiffany Trump attended the trial, and it's the largest showing of Trump family members on a single day of the trial.
Manhattan DA Alvin Bragg, also in court today, is seated behind his prosecution team.
Judge consults with prosecutors on curative instruction
Following the lunch break, the parties returned to the courtroom ahead of their closing argument.
Judge Merchan began the afternoon session by asking prosecutors about the curative instruction following defense attorney Todd Blanche's mention of prison at the end of his closing argument.
Prosecutor Susan Hoffinger told Merchan that Blanche's mention of prison time was "highly improper" and a direct violation of a pretrial order about arguments related to potential punishments.
"Mr. Blanche was certainly on notice that this was an improper argument," Hoffinger said.
Blanche did not opposed to the curative instruction about his earlier arguments. Merchan will deliver it to the jury as drafted by prosecutors.