Shawdesh Desk:

Donald Trump’s criminal trial — the first-ever prosecution of a former US president — opened in New York on Monday with the scandal-plagued Republican coming face to face with the judge overseeing the historic case.

‘Good morning, Mr. Trump,’ Judge Juan Merchan said after he entered the Manhattan courtroom where the 77-year-old Republican was seated.

Jury selection for the hush money case was set to begin Monday in a trial that comes in the middle of Trump’s campaign to retake the White House.