Former president Donald Trump

The trial of Donald Trump got under way Monday in New York City, marking the first time in history a former U.S. president has been on trial for criminal charges.

Trump, the presumptive GOP presidential candidate, is on trial to determine whether he falsified business records to cover up a “hush money” payment back in 2016 to keep Stormy Daniels, an adult-film actress, quiet in regard to an alleged sexual encounter.

Trump has denied the encounter as well as any wrong doing regarding payment made to the actress, whose real name is Stephanie Clifford.

The jury selection process, which has fallen under scrutiny over the first couple of days, was continuing as of Tuesday afternoon.

Congressman Byron Donalds, who represents Southwest Florida’s 19th Congressional District, appeared on Newsmax Tuesday to share his thoughts on the trial.

“I view it as a political charade,” Donalds said. “I view it as a farce, a kangaroo court, absolute foolishness, hot garbage. Do you need more explanations than that? You have a situation where they took some bookkeeping charge, where by the way, the statute of limitations has expired. They tried to weave in something dealing with election law, when the FEC said there is nothing to see here, and all of a sudden, there are 34 felonies in New York? Give me a break. That is a travesty of justice.”

Trump is facing 34 felony counts of falsifying business records and was indicted on March 30. Those charges involve allegedly burying allegations of extramarital affairs during his first campaign in 2016.

The indictment was brought by Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg.

“This is about Donald Trump, but it’s not,” Donalds continued on Newsmax Tuesday. “If they could do this to Donald Trump, they could do this to any American. But the truth is, Alvin Bragg would not do this to any American, which means this is selective prosecution. This is political interference. The American people see it for what it is, and it should not be allowed to continue.”

The Lee County GOP also backs Trump in the unprecedented case, stating the left is using “law fare” to interfere with elections and “undermine the ability of the voters to determine who will be their future president.”

Vice Chair of the Lee County GOP, Tara Jenner, told The Breeze they pray that justice will be done and the truth comes to light.

“The ability of President Trump to have a fair trial in New York is questionable at best,” Jenner said via email. “Gag orders against him but not other witnesses highlight the fallacy that they are concerned about tampering with the jury pool. The questions for the jury pool are very lopsided against President Trump and do nothing to clarify who, if any, in the possible jury pool are biased in favor of President Biden or any of the individuals involved in the litigation including but not limited to the judge, the prosecutor, prosecution ‘witnesses,’ and their respective family members.”

The Republican Party of Florida has endorsed Trump as its nominee for president in the upcoming election.

“While we would still like to believe in the integrity of our judicial system, we have grave concerns at the local GOP that this is not a reasonable expectation at this point,” Jenner continued. “The fact that the President is not able to attend his own Supreme Court hearing nor was granted a short break in the trial schedule to allow attendance at his son’s graduation is appalling.”

Jim Rosinus, chair of the Democratic Party of Lee County, also shared his thoughts.

“While it has been too long in coming, the trial of Donald J. Trump in New York is a good thing for the United States and the rule of law in our nation,” Rosinus said via email. “Regardless of the eventual outcome, it is vitally important that no individual can ever be above the law, not even, and not especially, presidents. We are all subject to the Constitution and the laws that flow from it. Without that most basic truth, we become a nation of men subject to the whims of whichever potential tyrant is in power at the moment and no nation can function successfully or for long under those circumstances. Mr. Trump deserves a fair trial and a fair verdict, but he cannot, simply by virtue of his former office, be excused from the responsibilities and obligations that fall on all citizens.”

Members of the media state the jury selection process could take several more days, or weeks, as it has been difficult to find individuals who can provide a fair trial.

Information reported by the Associated Press regarding the status of the trial is included in this report.