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and by judy and peter blum kovler foundation, pursuing solutions for america's neglected needs. announcer: and now, "bbc news" >> i am sumi somaskanda in washington and this is "bbc world news america." donald trump becomes the first former president stand criminal trial as the case for his alleged hush money payment begins. >> i am limp outside the courthouse where the first day has just concluded and jury selection resumes tomorrow. >> and israel warns it is preparing a response to this we can's barrage of iranian attacks as the u.s. urges de-escalation. -- this weekend's barrage of iranian attacks as a u.s. urges

de-escalation. donald trump's historic criminal trial begins and israel mulls its possible response to erin's attack -- iran's attack. we will talk about the form the retaliation could take and the pressure on president biden to take further action. first, former president donald trump was back in court as the first-ever criminal trial of a u.s. president got underway in new york city. monday marked the start of jury selection in the hush money trial where mr. trump is accused of trying to cover up a payment made to adult film star stormy daniels ahead of the 2016 election. ms. daniels claims she and mr. trump had an affair in 2016 and she was paid by mr. trump's then lawyer to stay quiet about it. mr. trump is accused of falsifying his business records by saying the business money he gave mr. cohen was for business reasons.

mr. trump faces 34 counts of fraud but denies any wrongdoing and denies having an affair with daniels. trump could face a maximum of four years and present -- in prison if convicted. mr. trump accused the judge and prosecutors of political motivations. >> i am not in georgia or florida or north carolina campaigning like i should be. it's perfect for the radical left democrats, that's exactly what they want. this is that election interference, that's all it's about. sumi: let's go right to our correspondent, who's been outside of the courthouse following the story all day. tell us more about what happened today with this first phase of jury selection? >> yeah, well, sumi, they say cases are won and lost on jury selection. what we had today was the first panel of potential jurors sworn

in, 96 people. and really, you could see from reporters inside noting their expressions, how some were surprised to be part of this case against donald trump. one woman giggling, putting her hand over her mouth and looking to the person next to her with raised eyebrows. and then, the judge notifying them of the name of the case, the people of the state of new york versus donald trump. well, we had really quickly donald trump's prospective jurors being asked if they could, number one, be impartial. and number two, if they had any other reasons why they could sit on a jury. more than half of those potential jurors, sumi, said they cannot be impartial. after that, we then went into a situation where those jurors were individually questioned. the judge said this was one of the most extensive jury questionnaires they've ever had in this court, looking at what

kind of news they consumed, if they are a part of any extremist groups, if they ever attended a trump rally. that will continue tomorrow and for the next few days until they get 12 jurors and six alternates who can be impartial in this case. sumi: really interesting insights into what was happening today. give us a better idea of what exactly we might see unfolding over the coming days and weeks. nada: yeah, well, look, the judge told jurors to be prepared to sit for more than six weeks in this case. it is a white-collar crime that revolves around falsifying business documents but we will see the prosecution try to establish how this was part of a wider scheme to influence the election. and as part of that, they are going to be calling in those who are trump loyalists and closest to him in his circle, as well as some of his enemies, of course, infamously, his lawyer turned foe, the one who said donald

trump direct him to make the payment to the former adult film star, stormy daniels. stormy daniels herself could be testifying about the alleged affair, which donald trump denies. we know prosecutors will be putting up checks donald trump wrote to michael cohen, putting forth those business records they say donald trump falsified while trying to create this airtight case, as they see it, to show donald trump did engage in this scheme. from the defense side, will donald trump himself testified? he is the one -- testify? he is the one who can speak best to intent. he said the payments to michael cohen was nothing to do with his campaign but will he testify to that? sumi: mr. trump's met hank criminal case is the first -- manhattan criminal case is the

first to go to trial but n may not be his last. in georgia, a trump dutch trump and three others were charged with trying to overturn trump's in the 2020 -- loss in the state in the 2020 presidential. election jackson met charged mr. trump with conspiring to overturn the election results with an attack on the u.s. capitol and mr. smith is charging mr. trump with illegally obtaining classified documents after he left office, taking him from -- taking them from the white house to his mar-a-lago estate. in florida let's speak about all of this with a trial lawyer and legal criminal analyst. how consequential is this trial for the former president? >> this is history in the making. this is the first time in u.s.

history that a former president of the united states of america is going to trial for criminal charges. and those have significant ramifications, not only with potential jail time. but according to recent polls, if he is in fact convicted then that can pension lease way people in the 2024 election, which is going to be key for him. sumi: when you drill down into this case, it is very technical. but how solid of a case do you think the prosecution actually has? kelly: well, ultimately, that will be up to the jury based on the facts and evidence presented to them. but the allegations are that donald trump falsify business records to conceal an agreement with others to unlawfully influence the 2016 presidential election. specifically, it alleges that donald trump made false business records to hide the true nature of the payments made by

characterizing them as payments for legal services rendered. the state alleges the payments were intended to reimburse michael cohen for money paid to stormy daniels in weeks before the presidential election to prevent her from publicly revealing details about their alleged sexual encounter. sumi: as we are speaking now, we are looking at pictures of the former president leaving the court, that says motorcade driving through new york. i want to ask you about what we saw from him today. he spoke after he left the court. we know the judge issued a gag order on speaking about witnesses in the trial, also about the judge's family member. but to what extent can the former president use this trial as a platform in a way for his campaign? kelly: well, according to new york law, he is required, trump is required to be in the trial for six to eight weeks. he has not asked to be excused,

so potentially could before the matter going forward speak to the press and then after when the case is over, for the day speak to the press as well and use that as a platform. would have to look at this case and think about the fact that ultimately, it's going to be up to the jury. the jurors are asked questions and they need to be honest and tell the truth. they are doing voir doire right now. 50 of them have said they cannot be fair and impartial. that is key to have someone that sits on the jury and based on the evidence make a determination on if he is guilty or not. in the u.s. court system, you are innocent until proven guilty. sumi: do you think this is the only criminal trial that the former president is facing that will actually take place before the election? kelly: it appears that this is

going to be the only trial that is going to take place before the election. because of the fact of delays and appeals and stuff like that. this trial was key -- is key. this can make a difference in the 2024 election. sumi: so good to speak to you. thank you much for those insights. now to our other top story that we are covering for you today. all eyes are now on the how israel wishes to respond two days after iran's first ever direct attack on israeli soil. the israeli cabinet met to discuss a response. details from the meeting were limited on monday but idf spokesman said israel will respond to the attacks. >> the various possibilities that we face are much more extensive. but we must do everything as the chief of general staff also said. anything necessarily.

any necessary to protect the state of israel at the time and in the way we think israel choose to do so -- we in israel choose to do so. sumi: with help from the u.s., u.k., and other allied forces, israel says it repelled the overwhelming majority of iran's air assault. half of the drones crashed on fight. iiran says it's -- israel says it has a right to defense. iran says its response was measured and israel should appreciate its restraint. the republic of iran -- the islamic public dutch republic of iran is not seeking to -- president biden hosted the iraqi prime minister the white house on monday -- at the white house on monday. the bilateral meeting comes

after iraq was put squarely in the path of the iranian missiles fired at israel, some of them launched by iran's revolutionary guard. both urged restraint. mr. biden told the israeli prime minister, benjamin netanyahu, this weekend to think very carefully about israel's response. john kirby declined to give details on whether the u.s. would assist israel and retaliating -- in retaliating against iran, leaving the ball in israel's court. >> this is an israeli decision to make, whether or how they will respond to what iran did on saturday and we will leave it squarely on them. > are you making suggestions? >> we are not involved in their decision-making process about a potential response. sumi: let's get more on the u.s. response from congressman mike turner. very good to have you back on

"bbc news." >> thank you for having me. sumi: the pentagon today saying the u.s. does not seek conflict with iran. that's a position reflected by the white house as well. how concerned are you at this point about the possibility of a wider regional conflict if israel does respond forcefully? >> sure. well, this definitely, is unprecedented for iran to attack israel directly and is an escalation of the conflict in the area. you have to take into the context that all of the conflict in the areas coming from iran. iran has funded hezbollah, hamas, the houthis, they've been providing the training and certainly the weapons that have been used to attack israel and other allies in the region. iran has already been the instigator and their attempts to try to hide behind their proxies certainly has not been lost on anyone.

i do think that we should not take missile defense, the ability for the united states, iran, and the u.k. and others to be able to counter this attack, to act as if it then did not happen. iran took this action to try to attack israel over 300 missiles and drones were fired at israel. it certainly is a malicious act. and certainly israel has the ability and the, i think the right to defend itself. sumi: chairman turner, i just want to ask you more about that. first of all, iran says it is responding to israel's strike on the consular building in damascus. you said if the biden administration fails to step up to the plate and make clear to iran that there are redlines here that we will be in a broader conflict and have fewer options. what do you mean by redlines and what response do you expect then from the white house? >> i think it was premature.

i think they are responsible for the white house to immediately -- i think the response from the white house to immediately take off the table that they will not be involved. you give iran the confidence that they have a space in which they can attack israel and they are not going to be subject to actions by the u.s.. even though after the president had taken actions to move increased military capabilities in the area, if he wishes to do so. i think leaving iran at least within the concern that their actions might provoke a response with the due not states does have a deterrent effect and certainly has a chilling effect on iran. sumi: chairman turner, if the u.s. were to directly respond offensively, doesn't the risk arise that the u.s. would be pulled into a direct conflict with iran? >> previously when i was asked this question, i think not yet. do not think we are to the point that requires u.s. intervention. but i think it's irresponsible for us to discount it and

publicly state we will not be part of any intervention. it does have iran as an adversary then looking only to israel and certainly lessening the tension and the concern that they might have as to what the consequence might be for them taking direct action as to just continuing actions through their proxies they are fully providing military capability to. sumi: i want to ask you about what we saw from u.k. leaders it sang today the focus cannot shift away from the need for an immediate cease-fire in gaza. what diplomatic pressure do you think the u.s. can apply on negotiations that make sure both sides come to some kind of agreement to stop the fighting? >> director burns has been very active in trying to bring partners to the middle east, and of course,, hamas and israel to a point where there could be cease-fire and release of hostages. that's very important. i think his work has been a central. unfortunately that has been

essential. unfortunately -- i think his work has been essential. -- that is something i think it's early a grave concern as to the condition and the safety of the hostages. sumi: one more question before we let you go. as you said, this was a watershed moment. are you concerned about the possibility of where things head from now? >> i think iran certainly has vulnerabilities, both in their infrastructure that they utilize to export oil, the infrastructure that they use export weapons systems, their weapons production system. we are seeing their weapons on the battleground in ukraine. and their nuclear program, which continues to be a long-term risk. i do think there are issues on the table that do need to be looked at as to whether or not iran's actions rise to a level

that those could be a risk and could be held at risk for iran. sumi: chairman turner, great to have you on "bbc news" today. thank you so much. israeli prime minister benjamin netanyahu said iran threatens world peace and urged the international community in resisting the iranian aggression. i spoke with the former israeli ambassador to the u.s. as israel war cabinet has been meeting again to discuss a response to iran, we know far right members of the prime minister's cabinet have urged a swift and severe reaction. what do you anticipate the response to iran will be? >> we think it will be severe. but i think it will be more measured. in the sense that israel will try to punish iran, certainly, but certainly deter iran from taking further action and not an

action where that could escalate to a regional confrontation. sumi: could you help us understand what severe but measured looks like? what form that might take? >> it could take the form of a cyberattack. it could take the form of actions against iranian energy centers, utilities, iranian oil facilities along the persian gulf. it could even take the form of action against hezbollah in lebanon. sumi: we have seen iran's leaders sang they would not respond in return unless israel responded in a reckless, quote "reckless" fashion. we've heard urges of constraint. what do you make of iran' response in particulars. do you get the sense that iran's original attack was not meant to cause maximum damage? >> not at all. i understand there is conventional wisdom throughout much of the media that iran broadcasted in advance, even

coordinated with the united states and was sending0 35 projectiles -- 350 projectiles just for show nobody in israel accepts that and considers it serious. 350 projectiles is unprecedented, totally unprecedented. among these were very large cruise missiles. even if one or two would have gone through, and there's a very good chance they could have gone through, would have killed thousands of people, and that would have been a game changer and then we would be in the middle of a regional conflict with the united s states. the saudi's were able to stop this, an immense display of israeli technology and multilevel air defense system. israel is going to have to take steps to reestablish its deterrence and reassured that an attack of that magnitude certainly can never happen again. we have to convince the iranian

iranians, not just the iranians, but any other regional enemies that israel will have today and in the future. but to do that without triggering a far larger conflict that could draw other powers in and undermined this newfound alliance which we have against iran will be sort of threading a very interesting needle for israel. i'm confident we can do it. but we shall see in the coming days. sumi: that's an interesting point, ambassador. i want to come to what we have seen, some israeli allies sing, lord cameron and rishi sunak in the u.k., indicating they want to ensure their efforts are still focused on ensuring there is a pause in fighting in gaza and humanitarian aid can enter. there's a focus on that here in the u.s. as well. what do you believe the prospects are of a successful cease-fire agreement that would lead to also of course the release of hostages in the coming days? >> i think israel is poised to

accept that deal but i must is not right now -- but hamas is not right now. hamas is convinced time is on its side right now. it is just what hamas wants and hamas does not care how many palestinians die in the process. the more palestinians die, the better it is for hamas, because the greater the pressure is on the international community and israel to accept that cease-fire. hamas says no deal. hamas is even denying it has 40 hostages now. i do not see a tremendous chance for such an arrangement in the coming days. sumi: ambassador, what kind of arrangement might we actually see? if hamas says we are not budging

from our cause for a permanent cease-fire and israel would not accept anything beyond 4-6 weeks, it does not look good for the prospects of an agreement. >> it is not. i think the israeli government, the israeli army, the idf, and the people of israel are determined to continue the fight against hamas until it is completely uprooted from all of the gaza strip. i am not a representative of the government but i would hope israel would be prepared to enter into an intimate discussion with the united states, with other allies about the day after. politically, it is very charged here. but there has to be a broad agreement will to do with the -- what to do with the gaza strip so israel does not find itself in a long-term occupation. there would be great opportunities for advancing the political process once hamas is out of the picture. we have to be very smart and be able to harness this opportunity, to take advantage

of this opportunity and use it to advance that process in that future. sumi: we leave the conversation there for today but thank you so much for joining us on "bbc news ." >> always a pleasure. thank you. sumi: the chief weapons handler for the movie "rust," hannah gutierrez-reed, was sentenced to 18 months in prison for the death of halyna hutchins, who was fatally shot by alec baldwin, who was handling a gun in the film's production. gutierrez was found guilty of mistakenly loading a live round into the revolver. the french president, emmanuel macron, says donors have pledged more than $2 billion in aid for sudan at a conference on the first anniversary of the conflict. he said almost half the total had to come from eu countries. a year of fighting between rival military factions in sudan has forced 8 million people from their homes, with many threatened by famine. thousands have died in waves of killings. that is our program.

remember that you can find more on the day's news on our website, bbc.com/news or you can use our app announcer: funding for presentation of this program is provided by... financial services firm, raymond james. bdo. accountants and advisors. cunard is a proud supporter of public television. announcer: funding was also provided by, the freeman foundation. and by judy and peter blum kovler foundation, pursuing solutions for america's neglected needs. ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪

geoff: good evening. i'm geoff bennett. amna: and i'm amna nawaz, in kyiv, ukraine. on the newshour tonight, allies urge restraint in israel's response to iran's unprecedented weekend attack. geoff: history is made as former president trump's criminal trial for making alleged hush money payments to an adult film actress gets underway in new york.