Trump rants about presidential immunity as criminal trial opening statements loom: Live

A man whoset himself on fire outside the Manhattan courthouse where Donald Trump’s trial is underway has died, police said.

Maxwell Azzarello, a 37-year-old man from Florida, was “declared deceased by hospital staff”, police told NBC News.

He was identified as a self-described “investigative researcher” who posted a conspiracy-laden manifesto online moments before the incident.

A full panel of 18 jurors have been seated to hear the evidence against Donald Trump and ultimately decide his fate in the criminal New York hush money trial.

After four days of jury selection, the final alternate jurors were picked from a batch of Manhattan residents on Friday. So long as no other jurors drop out or are dismissed from the panel, opening arguments will begin on Monday.

The rest of the day included a brief Sandoval hearing – where the prosecution asked Judge Juan Merchan whether or not they can bring up prior misconduct and court cases Mr Trump, or his organization, have been involved in during potential cross-examination. Judge Merchan will decide on Monday.

After a long week in court, what better way to blow off steam than pushing that caps lock key and letting rip on your very own social media platform?

Here’s what is on Donald Trump’s mind this morning:

IF IMMUNITY IS NOT GRANTED TO A PRESIDENT, EVERY PRESIDENT THAT LEAVES OFFICE WILL BE IMMEDIATELY INDICTED BY THE OPPOSING PARTY. WITHOUT COMPLETE IMMUNITY, A PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO PROPERLY FUNCTION!

The Supreme Court will hear oral arguments on presidential immunity on 25 April (more on that here).

Mr Trump followed that with:

THIS SCAM “RUSHED” TRIAL TAKING PLACE IN A 95% DEMOCRAT AREA IS A PLANNED AND COORDINATED WITCH HUNT THAT COULD HAVE