Trump trial Day 4 underway as Judge Merchan takes bench

Former U.S. President Donald Trump departs Trump Tower en-route to Manhattan Criminal Court on April 19, 2024 in New York City. (Michael M. Santiago/Getty Images)

Judge Juan M. Merchan took the bench and said "good morning" to former President Donald Trump, who is seated in a Manhattan courtroom as day four of his first criminal trial begins.

Yesterday, 12 jurors and one alternate juror were selected for Trump's hush money payment trial. Prosecutors with the Manhattan District Attorney's office on Friday asked for five additional minutes for juror questioning as they pick the remaining alternates. Both prosecutors and defense attorneys will have 35 minutes to question potential jurors this morning.

Judge Merchan, who appeared to be in a jovial mood Friday morning, granted the request and joked, "we're also still working on the temperature." Trump had complained about the "freezing" courtroom earlier this week and reporters noted the room feels even colder today.

Trump did not look at prospective jurors as they entered the courtroom. He appeared stoic and stared down at papers on the defense table as photographers snapped photos before the proceedings began.