The criminal trial of former President Donald Trump began on Monday. The first day of the trial underscored the striking fact that the potential Republican nominee for president will be in a Manhattan courtroom for four days a week.

Trump, asserting his innocence against 34 felony counts of falsifying business records, was present on Monday alongside his legal team as the jury selection commenced. Throughout the proceedings, he observed his attorneys spar with prosecutors over admissible evidence and exchanged notes with them.

As the first day of the trial concluded, here are the five key takeaways from “The People of the State of New York vs Donald Trump” case:

  1. Selecting a panel of 12 jurors to determine Trump’s destiny poses challenges, with over 50 individuals promptly disqualified for expressing inability to remain unbiased. This process will continue on Tuesday, as prospective jurors undergo questioning probing their political inclinations, marking the start of a thorough procedure that may extend beyond the trial’s initial week.
  2. Following numerous appeals seeking to postpone the trial’s commencement, the defense is now aiming to impede the legal proceedings as the November elections draw near. Sources told CNN’s Paula Reid that it is anticipated that numerous objections and sidebars will arise during the trial, as the defense is entirely concentrated on safeguarding every issue for potential appeal.
  3. The District Attorney’s office has accused Trump of breaching a gag order and seeks to impose a $3,000 fine. Prosecutors allege Trump violated the order by discussing witnesses. Chris Conroy requested Trump be held in contempt and fined $1,000 for each of three social media posts that allegedly violated the order.
  4. The “Access Hollywood” tape cannot be played in court, but actress Karen McDougal can testify, ruled Judge Juan Merchan. These decisions may shape the case, with the judge also permitting prosecutors to introduce National Enquirer stories criticizing Trump’s opponents as evidence.
  5. Merchan rejected prosecutors’ request to show E. Jean Carroll’s deposition from her defamation case against Trump, deeming it as “building in a trial into a trial.”