FORMER PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP (White House photo).

How former president Donald Trump responded on the first day of his criminal trial for allegedly falsifying business records depended on where he was.

Inside the New York City courtroom, he was reserved and quiet; outside the courtroom he was more vocal. “This is a political prosecution,” he said. “This is an assault on our country.”

Specifically, Trump is accused of falsifying the records to conceal “hush money” he allegedly paid to a porn star who claims they had an affair.

Since this is a criminal trial, Trump is required to attend each day the trial – which is expected to last six weeks – continues.

No jurors were selected.

No new defamation trial for Giuliani

RUDY GIULIANI

A request by former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani to have a $148 million defamation judgment dismissed and a new trial were dismissed on Monday by a federal judge.

U.S. District Judge Beryl Howell termed Guiliani’s argument “threadbare” and upheld the sum for two Georgia election workers who were falsely accused of assisting in “stealing” the 2020 presidential election from Donald Trump.

Georgia was a key swing state in the 2020 campaign. It went narrowly for Joe Biden, and no evidence of election fraud was found.

Sports: Angels back to .500 with win

Seven runs in the last two innings propelled the Los Angeles Angels to a 7-2 victory over the Tampa Bay Rays on the road Monday night. 

Mike Trout and Taylor Ward each homered as the Halos squared their record at 8-8 and remained in second place in the American League West. Miguel Sano batted 3-for-4 and Matt Thaiss doubled in three runs.

Patrick Sandoval pitched five strong innings, yielding four hits and one run. He struck out three batters and walked two.

The win went in relief to Luis Garcia (1-0) who threw one perfect inning.

The Los Angeles Dodgers (11-8) lost 6-4 to the Washington Nationals at home. They lead the NL West by one game over the San Diego Padres.

Weather: Living in the clouds

If you like clouds, our West Orange County area offers plenty this week. Partly cloudy skies will be in place on Tuesday and Wednesday with a high of 76 each day and overnight lows of 53 and 56.  Thursday will be a bit cooler with a high of 72 (56) with clouds in the morning and sun in the afternoon. Friday will be even cooler at 69 (55) and morning clouds and afternoon sun.