Lawyers have gathered in a New York courtroom for the first-ever criminal trial of someone to have served in the Oval Office. They're debating allegations against former President Donald Trump related to payments of hush money to an adult film star.

Prosecutors say Trump's former lawyer paid the actor 130,000 dollars ahead of the 2016 election to keep her relationship with Trump secret. They say Trump reimbursed him then recorded the payment as a legal fee. He faces 34 charges of falsifying business records.

Trump has pleaded not guilty and says this is “political persecution.”

(Anti-Trump protestor)

“We, individually and collectively, are glad to see that Trump is finally being brought in front of a judge in a criminal case.”

(Trump supporter)

“It's not gonna be fair. And, like I said, if the man steps on a roach, they're gonna try to convict him for murder.”

Trump also faces charges in three other criminal cases.