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Trump accused the district attorney's office of being "after us for years"
From CNN's Aditi Sangal
The New York district attorney's office has "been after us for years," Donald Trump said as he left the Manhattan courtroom after the day's proceedings wrapped.
"They've destroyed people's lives," Trump added, saying people have to lawyer up and have no time left to do anything. He called it a "shame."
Trump did not go into specifics, but said he "was very interested in what took place today."
After giving a political speech, Trump ended with: So, I just want to wish everybody a good weekend."
Court is adjourned after ruling from judge
Court is now adjourned, after the attorneys from each side discussed guidelines for topics that could be raised if Trump chooses to testify in his defense later in the trial.
"Have a good weekend," Judge Juan Merchan said, after ruling in favor of a request from Trump's legal team not to allow prosecutors to ask questions about violating the former president's gag order.
Judge rules Trump can't be asked about his gag order violations if he decides to testify
Judge Juan Merchan has ruled in favor of a defense argument that it would be too prejudicial for the jury to hear about the contempt order he issued over Donald Trump violating a gag order.
He also denied the prosecution's ability to cross-examine the former president about the gag order if he chooses to testify in his defense.
Prosecutors said earlier this week they wanted to ask Trump about the judge's ruling that Trump violated the gag order.
Prosecutor Matthew Colangelo said asking Trump about the gag order violations was "appropriate and allowable" Sandoval evidence.
Merchan however said he agrees with Trump's attorney Todd Blanche and won't let the prosecutors ask about the violations.
"For a jury to hear that this court – the same judge that’s presiding over this case – has found Mr. Trump to be in contempt, on this case, I think would just be so prejudicial."
Some context: A Sandoval hearing involves an examination of the defendant's criminal history. It is required under New York law when a defendant plans to testify in their own trial and is meant as an indicator of whether it would be a good idea for them to take the stand.
Trump nodded to Hicks as she passed by the defense table
Donald Trump turned and nodded to Hope Hicks with a small smile when she passed the defense table.
Judge dismisses jury for the day
Judge Juan Merchan has dismissed the jury for the day, saying:
"Alright jurors. We're going to call it a week."
The jury has exited the courtroom.
Analysis: Bove's reputation is he can come off quite harsh
After Hope Hicks cried on the stand, she took a brief break. When she returned, Donald Trump's defense attorney Emil Bove began the cross examination.
Bove's tone thus far was soft and nonconfrontational. He's ended nearly every question with "right" or "correct," said CNN anchor and chief legal correspondent Laura Coates.
However, Bove's reputation is the opposite, noted CNN's Katelyn Polantz:
(H)e may be charming the jury, but his reputation from Southern District of New York (SDNY) had always been that he can come off quite harsh. The defense understands that choosing carefully who questions makes a difference — and they do have women on the team.
Hicks has been excused
Hope Hicks is excused. Her testimony is over.
Judge Juan Merchan has called attorneys to the bench.
Cross-examination of Hicks is over
The cross-examination of Hope Hicks by Trump attorney Emil Bove is over.
Hicks says Trump didn't want his family to be "hurt or embarrassed" by anything happening on campaign trail
Trump attorney Emil Bove is asking Hicks about how she testified that Trump didn't want the newspapers delivered to the residence on November 4, 2016, when the Wall Street Journal story on Karen McDougal came out.
"There were parts of this that were very personal to him, right?" Bove asks.
"Absolutely. I don’t think he wanted anyone in his family to be hurt or embarrassed by anything that was happening on the campaign trail. He wanted them to be proud of him," Hicks says.
