Crowds gather to protest Trump's hush money trial: 'no one is above the law'

(Getty Images)

Crowds gathered Monday afternoon to protest outside the Manhattan courtroom in protest and support of the former President Donald Trump on the first day of his hush money trial.

Some opponents of the former president held signs that read "no one is above the law," and "Trump's deceit is beyond a reasonable doubt."

Others held flags with the words "Trump 2024" and "save America" imprinted. Another with a flag featuring the 45th president's mugshot and the words "never surrender."

Nearing the close of the first day of what is expected to be several days of jury selection, 3 possible jurors remained out of 96 that were sorted. Judge Juan Merchan must whittle the jury pool down to 12.

Trump has been charged with 34 counts of falsifying business records in the first degree during his successful 2016 presidential campaign. The dozen ultimately selected will become the first Americans ever to sit in judgment of a former president charged with a crime.