'The world is already laughing at us': Trump after being arraigned on 34 felony counts

After former President Donald Trump's arraignment, prosecutors have indicated that they plan to provide the majority of the discovery material in the upcoming 65 days.

Trump's legal team has until August 8 to file any relevant motions, and the prosecution will then respond by September 19.

At the next in-person hearing, which is scheduled for December 4, Judge Juan Merchan will rule on these motions.

On Tuesday, Trump's attorney Jim Trusty stated that he anticipates "vigorous" motions to challenge the case and hopes they can prevent it from proceeding.

If unsuccessful, Trusty believes that Trump's legal team will explore options to expedite the case before the December 4 hearing.

Republic's LIVE coverage of the historic indictment of former US President Donald Trump has ended.

For more updates please click here.

Former President Trump was “upset” after “an emotional day” a source close to the former president told CNN. 

“Who wouldn’t want to be with people that adore him after that?” the source said of the former president.

Trump ended the day eating dinner on the patio of his Mar-a-Lago club, surrounded by club members, family and some of his staunchest supporters on the hill, including Matt Gaetz and Marjorie Taylor Greene, another source present told CNN. 

Following uncharacteristically brief remarks after his arraignment, Trump was seen DJ-ing from a laptop amid his supporters, and at one point chatting with far-right figure Roger Stone. 

“It was a long day,” a third source said of Tuesday's historic events.

Former US President Donald Trump said he "never thought anything like this could happen in America" Tuesday night after he was arraigned in New York City.

"The only crime that I have committed is to fearlessly defend our nation from those who seek to destroy it," Trump said from his Mar-A-Lago property in Florida.

The former president emerged to a crowd of his supporters accompanied by the song "Proud to be an American." The crowd chanted "USA" as he made his way to a microphone.

Former Manhattan District Attorney Cy Vance, who was initially in charge of the investigation into former President Donald Trump's involvement in hush-money payments, but ultimately decided not to indict, has commended the current DA, Alvin Bragg, for bringing the case forward. Vance stated that Bragg has done the necessary work to advance the investigation and prosecute the case against Trump.

Vance told CNN's Jake Tapper Tuesday night, "I think there are factual allegations that at least myself personally, I cannot recall that we were aware of," in response to whether Bragg had collected any new evidence since Vance left DA's office.

He added, "There's no doubt that district attorney Bragg has dug deep, believes in this case, and I think we need to have confidence that he has done the work necessary to bring this case forward."

Bragg is currently leading the investigation into allegations that Trump was part of an illegal scheme to suppress negative information, including the payment of hush money to women who claimed to have had affairs with him during the 2016 presidential campaign. The charges against Trump include falsifying business records, which the prosecution alleges were made in 2017, as well as other related criminal charges.

Vance's support for Bragg's decision to pursue the case against Trump highlights the significance of the investigation and the potential legal consequences that may arise from it. It also underscores the ongoing controversy and scrutiny surrounding Trump's actions during his presidency and his business dealings prior to taking office.

Former US President Donald Trump had a substantial victory in another court, reported CNN.

The 9th US Circuit Court of Appeals has ruled in favor of former President Donald Trump in his quest to obtain more legal fees from adult film star Stormy Daniels. Daniels had previously filed a defamation lawsuit against Trump, which she subsequently lost.

The court ordered Daniels to pay Trump's lawyers just over $120,000 in legal fees, in addition to the $500,000 she has already been ordered to pay. Although the lawsuit is unrelated to the charges filed against Trump in New York, both cases involve Daniels, who was paid $130,000 in hush money to keep quiet about an alleged affair with Trump during the 2016 presidential campaign. Trump has consistently denied the affair.

Daniels initiated the lawsuit against Trump in 2018 after the former president referred to an allegation by Daniels that an unknown man had threatened her in a parking lot to keep quiet about the affair as a "total con job" in a tweet. In October of that year, federal Judge S. James Otero dismissed the lawsuit, ruling that Trump's statement was protected by the First Amendment.

“The Court agrees with Mr. Trump’s argument because the tweet in question constitutes ‘rhetorical hyperbole’ normally associated with politics and public discourse in the United States. The First Amendment protects this type of rhetorical statement,” Otero wrote at the time. 

Otero later ordered Daniels to pay roughly $293,000 in legal fees. Daniels was also ordered to pay another $245,000 in fees after losing another appeal. 

Daniels, whose legal name is Stephanie Clifford, had asked the appeals court to knock down another award. The court declined her request. 

“Clifford’s argument that the fee request is unreasonable and excessive is not well-founded,” the 9th Circuit filing states. 

“Trump’s attorneys reasonably spent the requested 183.35 hours preparing a motion to dismiss, a reply to the opposition to the motion, two extension motions, the answering brief, and the fee application,” it added. 

Trump's attorney Harmeet Dhillon celebrated the ruling in a tweet Tuesday.

“Congratulations to President Trump on this final attorney fee victory in his favor this morning. Collectively, our firm obtained over $600,000 in attorney fee awards in his favor in the meritless litigation initiated by Stormy Daniels," Dhillon wrote.

Trump, in his Florida speech, addressed other legal threats still percolating, including an investigation in Georgia into election interference, a DOJ investigation into his handling of classified documents post-presidency and an investigation by the New York attorney general into the Trump Organization. 

Trump said, of the case being led by Atlanta District Attorney Fani Willis, that she is “doing everything in her power to indict me over an absolutely perfect phone call, even more perfect than the one I made with the president of Ukraine.”

On the Justice Department investigation, overseen by Special Counsel Jack Smith, Trump said: “This lunatic special prosecutor named Jack Smith – I wonder what it was prior to a change – who others of his ilk say, he’s even worse than they are, is only looking at Trump.”

Trump also criticised a lack of focus on President Joe Biden’s classified documents.

Finally, Trump went on to condemn New York Attorney General Letitia James' investigation into the Trump Organization saying she, “campaigned on ‘I will get Trump.’ I will get him. This was her campaign. Never ran for office. I will get him. Her name is Letitia James,” he said. 

Michael Cohen, the former personal attorney to ex-President Donald Trump, said he believes "everyone who commits a crime" should be held accountable and that Trump's case is now up to Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg and his team.

"If those crimes were relevant enough by the Southern District of New York to hold against me, then certainly it shouldn't matter that it's Donald J. Trump, or a former president or anyone," Cohen told CNN Tuesday.

He assured that Manhattan District Attorney Bragg will provide "a significant amount of documentary evidence that will corroborate" allegations made in Trump's now-unsealed indictment.

Cohen also criticised statements made by the former president on social media.

"When I was the defendant in the case, Donald was very quick, along with his acolytes, to attack me on whatever platform that they had access to at the time," Cohen said. "Michael Cohen's not the defendant, Donald, you are, and so I will continue to speak truth to power. I will continue to provide transparency to the American people so that they understand — to the extent that I can — information that I have."

Cohen pleaded guilty to nine federal crimes including tax fraud, lying to Congress and campaign finance violations for helping pay off two women who threatened to go public with past alleged affairs with Trump just before the 2016 election. Trump has denied the affairs.

Former President Donald Trump condemned the criminal charges he faced in New York Tuesday night, saying to a crowd of supporters that “the only crime that I have committed is to fearlessly defend our nation from those who seek to destroy it.” 

Trump flew back to his Mar-a-Lago property in Florida following his arraignment in Manhattan.

“I never thought anything like this could happen in America. Never thought it could happen," Trump said during his opening remarks.

Trump went on to group the indictment — stemming from a hush money payment made to adult film actress Stormy Daniels during the 2016 presidential campaign — with various other legal and political threats he’s faced, dismissing them all. 

He repeated his claim that the prosecution is meant to derail his candidacy.

“This fake case was brought only to interfere with the upcoming 2024 election. And it should be dropped immediately," he said.

Throughout his remarks, Trump was dismissive of the case presented by prosecutors.

“As it turns out, virtually everybody that has looked at this case including RINOs and even hardcore Democrats say there is no crime, and that it should never have been brought. Never have been brought. Never brought it,” he said. 

Trump criticised Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg and the charges leveled against him Tuesday in New York.

“He knew there was no case. That’s why last week he delayed for a month and then immediately took that back and threw this ridiculous indictment together,” the former president said.

He also directed sharp attacks at Judge Juan Merchan, who is overseeing the hush money case, saying, “I have a Trump-hating judge.” 

Former President Donald Trump said he "never thought anything like this could happen in America" Tuesday night after he was arraigned in New York City.

"The only crime that I have committed is to fearlessly defend our nation from those who seek to destroy it," Trump said from his Mar-a-Lago property in Florida.

The former president emerged to a crowd of his supporters accompanied by the song "Proud to be an American." The crowd chanted "USA" as he made his way to a microphone.

"Our country is going to hell," he said. “It’s an insult to our country as the world is already laughing at us.”

Flanked by American flags, former President Donald Trump delivered a campaign-style speech to cheering supporters at Mar-a-Lago Tuesday night.

Trump was defiant, referring, among other things, to his two impeachment trials during his presidency and an ongoing probe into alleged attempts to interfere in that state’s 2020 presidential election. He called the New York indictment the latest in an “onslaught of fraudulent investigations.”

“This fake case was brought only to interfere with the upcoming 2024 election and it should be dropped immediately,” Trump said.

He also lashed out at the prosecutor and the judge presiding over the New York case — despite being warned hours earlier by the judge to refrain from rhetoric that could cause civil unrest.

Trump waved goodbye as he made his way out of the ballroom thronged by people recording the moment with their smartphones.

The crowd included supporters like failed Arizona gubernatorial candidate Kari Lake and longtime ally Roger Stone.

Trump has called Juan Merchan and his family as "a Trump-hating judge, with the Trump-hating wife and family whose daughter worked for Kamala Harris" during his speech at Mar-a-Lago residence in Florida. Merchan presided over Trump's case and told Trump in the court that he must refrain from making "inflammatory" statements that might incite unrest. Judge Merchan did not impose a gag order on Trump.

During his speech in Florida, Trump traded barbs at the special counsel Jack Smith who is leading an investigation into his handling of the classified documents. Trump accused him of being a "flamethrower."

"The only crime that I have committed is to fearlessly defend our nation from those who seek to destroy it," Trump said from his Mar-A-Lago residence in Florida. Appaulds from the crowd of his supporters accompanied by the song "Proud to be an American" as his supporters also yelled "USA" ahead of the speech, according to reports. 

Former President Donald Trump has started his speech at his Mar-a-Lago estate.  "God bless you all. I never thought anything like this could happen in America," Trump said in opening lines. 

Trump's family members have reportedly entered the Mar-a-Lago ballroom for his much awaited remarks. Trump's son Donald Trump Jr., with Kimberly Guilfoyle, and his daughter Tiffany Trump are present. Trump was "still revising his speech" less than an hour before his scheduled remarks at 8:15 p.m. ET, it was reported.

Former US President Donald Trump has arrived at Mar a Lago and is delivering remarks in Florida following his arraignment in New York City on Tuesday.

Judge Juan Merchan has ruled toward the end of Tuesday's arraignment that Donald Trump will have to attend the pretrial hearings in-person, even if his presence will disrupt New York's life. 

Trump's lawyer, Todd Blanche had told the judge that there's "incredible expense and effort and security issues" and had asked to wave off his "in person" attendance. 

"All of lower Manhattan was shut down today," he said, but the request was denied. 

Arraignment is known to be the fourth stage in a case after the arrest, booking, and initial bail. During an arraignment, the person charged appears in front of a judge for the first time in a court and is told what they are being charged with. On Tuesday, a judge told Trump the charges against him and advised him of his right to go to trial. Trump entered a plea of not guilty — as is standard for defendants to do during the arraignment.

A formal accusation that a person has committed a crime is an indictment. Indictment against Trump was sealed, as is standard in New York before an arraignment. An indictment is read by the prosecutors. When a person is indicted, they are given formal notice in advance, stating that they have committed a crime. 

A prosecutor, days before a person is indicted, presents the evidence to an impartial group of citizens called a "grand jury." Witnesses are called to testify, evidence is shown to this grand jury, and an outline of the case is presented to the grand jury members. The grand jury listens to the prosecutor and witnesses and then a vote is conducted in secret on whether they believe that there is enough evidence to charge the person with a crime. 

All proceedings and statements made before a grand jury are sealed. On Tuesday Trump's indictment document was made public, as the charges that were previously sealed were read. Trump faces multiple charges of falsifying business records, including at least one felony offense. 

In Trump's case, the grand jury spent weeks investigating the "hush money" that was paid during his 2016 presidential campaign to two women, who previously alleged to have an extramarital encounter with Trump. Trump has denied the allegations. Trump’s former longtime fixer and lawyer Michael Cohen paid $130,000 to an adult film actor Stephanie Clifford known by her name Stormy Daniels. 

Trump is allowed to walk out of the courtroom because the charges against him in indictment document do not require that bail be set in New York.

In 2019, Trump changed his primary residence from Manhattan to Palm Beach, Florida, according to documents filed with the Palm Beach County Circuit Court. 

While he has businesses, including Trump Tower in Manhattan, NY, Trump a longtime New Yorker, filed a “declaration of domicile” registering Mar-a-Lago Club, his resort in Palm Beach, as his permanent residence. "I have been treated very badly by the political leaders of both the city and state," he had said back then.

It is interesting to note that while Trump and his lawyers negotiated a voluntary surrender, Florida governor, Ron DeSantis, warned that he will "not extradite" Trump after the grand jury in New York City voted to indict him.

"Florida will not assist in an extradition request given the questionable circumstances at issue with this Soros-backed Manhattan prosecutor and his political agenda."

Trump's lawyer Joe Tacopina is denying that he spoke to porn star Stormy Daniels before or held any form of previous communications. The matter is critical as Daniels is the witness in the "hush money" case. Prosecutor Chris Conroy  brought court's notice to the fact that lawyer Tacopina may have had “privileged communications" with Daniels. 

"First and foremost, I never met Stormy Daniels. I never spoke to Stormy Daniels, and I never reviewed any documents of Stormy Daniels," Tacopina said.

Tacopina, however, admitted that Daniels had once called his office to inquire about hiring him.

Ex US President Donald Trump, after his arraignment on Tuesday, spoke to his supporters. He slammed the indictment levelled against him in New York and called the criminal charges brought against him as "sham."

Trump said that he is “going through a fake investigation."

“As you know we’re going through a fake investigation. That’s what it is. By radical left people that I believe actually have to hate our country. And we’re winning – we had a great day today, actually, because it turned out to be a sham,” Trump reportedly said. "And it’s turning out to be that. And we have others down the line. But we’ve been winning them for eight years now, ever since we came down the golden escalator, as they call it, at Trump Tower," he added.

Trump's private plane has landed at Palm Beach International Airport. He is now returning to his Florida residence Mar-a-Lago to address the supporters.

Trump's legal team has until August 8 to file motions. The prosecutors will respond by September 19. Rulings on the motion will be made in-person on December 4, reports suggest.

For the first time in history, a former US president has appeared in court as a criminal defendant. If you've just joined us, here's what to look for from Tuesday's arraignment of Donald Trump.

Trump surrendered to authorities Tuesday. He was indicted by a New York grand jury on charges related to hush-money payments at the height of the 2016 presidential election.

He pleaded not guilty to 34 felony charges in a Manhattan courtroom.

Here’s what to know about Trump’s day in court

• Trump was charged with 34 counts of falsifying business records in the first degree. He surrendered to authorities and was booked and fingerprinted behind closed doors. 
• Prosecutors said Trump conspired to undermine the 2016 presidential election by trying to suppress information that could harm his candidacy with a series of hush money payments. 
• The payments were made to two women — including a porn actor — who claimed they had sexual encounters with him years earlier, and to a doorman at Trump Tower who claimed to have a story about a child Trump fathered out of wedlock.
• Trump only spoke briefly in court, telling the judge he was pleading “not guilty."
• Trump is “absolutely frustrated, upset and believes that there is a great injustice happening," his lawyer Todd Blanche said.
• Trump's response: Trump published posts on his social media complaining that the heavily Democratic area was a “VERY UNFAIR VENUE” and “THIS IS NOT WHAT AMERICA WAS SUPPOSED TO BE!” As his motorcade carried him across Manhattan, he posted that the experience was “SURREAL.”
• Judge on Tuesday did not impose a gag order.
• Trump is asked to avoid making comments that were inflammatory that may cause civil unrest.
• Trump is due back in court in December.

(with agencies input)

A source from the Manhatan court is being reported as telling of the former president's conduct inside the court during arraignment. He was "very somber, no kidding around at all, very quiet and not his usual self," a source with direct knowledge of situation inside was reported saying on Tuesday. 

"He really seemed to be affected by what was going on."

During Trump's arraignment Tuesday as the previously unsealed charges were read by the judge in the indictment, it was revealed that all the alleged false entries are mostly related to invoices from Trump's ex longtime lawyer Michael Cohen. It is to be noted that Cohen was arrested in 2018 for nine federal crimes including tax fraud, lying to Congress and campaign finance violations. Cohen was tried at Manhattan federal court where Trump's arraignment happened on Tuesday.

Trump's lawyer was sentenced to about 13 1/2 months behind prison walls and a year and a half in home confinement in 2018 for campaign financing fraud. 

He helped arrange payouts during the 2016 presidential race to keep the porn actor Stormy Daniels and model Karen McDougal from making public claims of extramarital affairs with Trump.

Charges against Trump, according to Tuesday's arraignmment concern the “Detail General Ledger for Donald J. Trump” and his trust, or to Donald J. Trump’s account checks. Those records are all kept by the Trump Organization, according to the indictment. Enteries were made in 2017. 

Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg announced indictment of 76 year old ex US President on Tuesday during his arraignment. He accused Trump of falsifying New York business records in order to conceal damaging information and unlawful activity from American voters before and after the 2016 election. 

Trump and others employed a 'catch and kill' scheme "to identify, purchase, and bury negative information about him and boost his electoral prospects," the indictment that was unsealed, read. 

Ex US leader "went to great lengths to hide this conduct, causing dozens of false entries in business records to conceal criminal activity, including attempts to violate state and federal election laws."

Trump is charged in a New York State Supreme Court indictment with 34 counts of Falsifying Business Records in the First Degree.

Trump "repeatedly and fraudulently falsified New York business records to conceal crimes that hid damaging information from the voting public during the 2016 presidential election,” said District Attorney Bragg.

“Manhattan is home to the country’s most significant business market. We cannot allow New York businesses to manipulate their records to cover up criminal conduct. As the Statement of Facts describes, the trail of money and lies exposes a pattern that, the People allege, violates one of New York’s basic and fundamental business laws. As this office has done time and time again, we today uphold our solemn responsibility to ensure that everyone stands equal before the law," he added.

According to court document, Trump from August 2015 to December 2017, orchestrated his “catch and kill” scheme through a series of payments. He then concealed these payments through months of false business entries.  

• In one instance, American Media Inc. (“AMI”), paid $30,000 to a former Trump Tower doorman, who claimed to have a story about a child Trump had out of wedlock.  
• In a second instance, AMI paid $150,000 to a woman who alleged she had a sexual relationship with Trump.
• Trump directed a lawyer, Michael Cohen, who then worked for the Trump Organization as Special Counsel (“Special Counsel”) to reimburse AMI in cash.
• Special Council and Trump decided that payment should be made via a shell company and not by cash. 
• AMI admitted its conduct was unlawful in an agreement with federal prosecutors, adding that it made false entries in business records concerning the true purpose of the $150,000 payment from Trump.
• In a third instance – 12 days before the presidential general election – the Special Counsel wired $130,000 for an adult film actress Stormy Daniels.
• Payment was made through a shell corporation funded through a bank in Manhattan.
• After winning the election, Trump reimbursed Michael Cohen through a series of monthly checks— first from the Donald J. Trump Revocable Trust – that he created in New York to hold the Trump Organization’s assets during his presidency – and later from his personal bank account. 
• 11 checks were issued for a phony purpose. 
• Nine of those checks were personally signed by Trump.
• Each check was processed by the Trump Organization and "illegally disguised" as a payment for legal services.
• Total 34 false entries were made in New York business records to conceal the initial covert $130,000 payment.

Read the full indictment here and the statement of facts here

Hours after his arraignment where he pleaded not guilty, Trump has posted on his social media website, saying he is en route back to Mar-a-Lago.

"Just lifted off for Palm Beach, Florida," Trump wrote on Truth Social. "The hearing was shocking to many in that they had no 'surprises,' and therefore, no case. Virtually every legal pundit has said that there is no case here. There was nothing done illegally!"

Trump, who is scheduled to give a speech at 8:15 pm went on to add that he was being charged for a "totally legal" $130,000 payment. 

US Vice President Harris has ignored questions about Trump's indictment as the American reporters hounded her while she arrived to deliver introductory remarks at a promotion ceremony for Jacob Middleton, a US space force officer.

Todd Blanche, defence attorney for former President Donald Trump, spoke after Tuesday's arraignment. Trump was charged with 34 felony counts of falsifying business records.

"He's frustrated. He's upset. But I'll tell you what: He's motivated," Blanche said. 

Images: AP

There are 34 documents that the court has found falsified, and the former president Donald Trump also "personally signed" the checks to his former fixer and longtime lawyer Michael Cohen for nine months, Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg said Tuesday during the arraignment. 

“For nine straight months, the defendant held documents in his hand containing this key lie – that he was paying Michael Cohen for legal services performed in 2017," Bragg told the court. 

House Speaker Kevin McCarthy has accused the Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg of "election interfere." Congress will hold him accountable, he added. “Alvin Bragg is attempting to interfere in our democratic process by invoking federal law to bring politicized charges against President Trump, admittedly using federal funds, while at the same time arguing that the peoples’ representatives in Congress lack jurisdiction to investigate this farce. Not so. Bragg’s weaponization of the federal justice process will be held accountable by Congress,” McCarthy tweeted.

House GOP Chair Elise Stefanik slammed Trump's arrest as “shameful,” adding it would not help him in his White House bid. “President Trump continues to skyrocket in the polls, and just like with the Russia hoax and both sham impeachments, President Trump will defeat the latest witch-hunt, defeat Joe Biden, and will be sworn in as President of the United States in January 2025,” she said in a statement.

At least 400 to 500 gold-painted metal chairs with cushioned seats have been arranged for the guests before Trump’s return at his Florida residence Mar-a-Lago. Preparations for his speech are being made.

Sen. Mitt Romney, R-Utah who fired a barb at the former US President about his being "unfit for office" is accusing Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg of "pursuing a political agenda." Bragg "has stretched to reach felony criminal charges in order to fit a political agenda," Romney said in a statement. 

"Prosecutor’s overreach sets a dangerous precedent for criminalizing political opponents and damages the public’s faith in our justice system," the GOP noted.

Romney had voted to convict Trump during his first impeachment trial. He derided the former US president on Tuesday, saying, "No one is above the law, not even former presidents."

As Trump was arraigned Tuesday, GOP Sen. Mitt Romney, launched a scathing attack on the former leader, saying that he is "unfit for office."

“I believe President Trump’s character and conduct make him unfit for office," Romney said in a statement published on Tuesday.

"Even so, I believe the New York prosecutor has stretched to reach felony criminal charges in order to fit a political agenda. No one is above the law, not even former presidents, but everyone is entitled to equal treatment under the law. The prosecutor’s overreach sets a dangerous precedent for criminalizing political opponents and damages the public’s faith in our justice system," he added.

In a shocking detail, the statement of facts from the indictment that was unsealed on Tuesday suggests that Trump made at least two payments from a trust that was set up in his name. 

Nine other payments “corresponding to the months of April through December of 2017, were paid by Defendant personally.”

“Each of the checks was cut from the Defendant’s bank account and sent, along with the corresponding invoices from Lawyer A, from the Trump Organization in New York County to the Defendant in Washington, DC The checks and stubs bearing the false statements were stapled to the invoices also bearing false statements. The Defendant signed each of the checks personally and had them sent back to the Trump Organization in New York County,” the statement of facts read by the prosecutors on Tuesday suggests. 

During Tuesday's arraignment, prosecutors read the statement of facts in the indictment. They say that former US President Donald Trump met with the longtime lawyer Michael Cohen in the Oval Office to make payments that included $130,000 for Daniels. He "hid these reimbursement payments to Michael Cohen" by falsifying record and hiding the checks as intended for the “legal services.” 

“In early February 2017, the Defendant and Lawyer A met in the Oval Office at the White House and confirmed this repayment arrangement. Trump personally signed checks reimbursing Cohen, his attorney at the time, for the hush-money payment made to adult film star Stormy Daniels," statement of facts said referring to Cohen.

 

Ahead of the 2016 elections, Trump tried to suppress negative stories about himself during his candidacy, Manhattan prosecutors said, placing him at the center of the  "catch and kill" scheme. The statement of facts supporting the former president's indictment read that Trump met with his then-lawyer and fixer Michael Cohen, who was jailed in 2018, and and the CEO of a media company that owned the National Enquirer, to help him with the campaign. 

Pecker has already testified with the Manhattan grand jury that previously voted to indict Trump. 

AMI, the parent company of the National Enquirer, silenced the Trump Tower doorman, according to the statement of facts read during Trump's arraignment on Tuesday. The man had claimed to have knowledge of the alleged affair between Trump and an ex-housekeeper. "AMI did not vet the story before purchasing," statement of facts read in the court, suggests. 

AMI’s CEO David Pecker instructed his organization “to pay the Doorman $30,000 to acquire exclusive rights to the story.” AMI then allegedly “falsely characterized this payment” in the records. Michael Cohen “instructed the AMI CEO not to release the Doorman until after the presidential election.” 

After winning the 2016 presidential election, Donald Trump "privately" met with the then-AMI CEO David Pecker and thanked him for “handling” well the Playboy Playmate Karen McDougal’s affair allegations. He also hailed Pecker for allegedly "handling" the story on the former Trump World Tower doorman who confirmed affair between Trump and an ex-housekeeper which resulted in a child.

“Between Election Day and Inauguration Day, during the period of the Defendant’s transition to his role as President, the Defendant met with the AMI CEO privately in Trump Tower in Manhattan,” according to statement of facts read by the prosecutors. 

During Trump's arraignment Tuesday, as the charges from the indictment were unsealed, it was read that all the participants involved in the illegal hush-money scheme, including Trump's longtime lawyer detained in 2018, Michael Cohen, knew "payoffs were unlawful." Cohen in 2018 admitted that the payoffs to two women including the porn star were unlawful. It is to be noted, while Cohen was charged, Trump wasn't despite that the account entries showed links to the then President due to the Nixon era directive that prevents the sitting president from being indicted. 

In 2018, American Media, Inc., the publisher of the National Enquirer struck an agreement with the Southern District of New York’s US Attorney’s office to pay "hush money" to another woman Karen McDougal for her story about Trump, the indictment revealed during Trump's arraignment. 

It was ex-US President Donald Trump, who had allegedly instructed his then-attorney Michael Cohen to hold off paying Stormy Daniels "for as long as possible." There are falsified records registered under the Trump Organization in the business enteries, it was disclosed during the arraignment, Tuesday. Cohen negotiated a hush-money payment with Daniels to “secure [Daniels’] silence and prevent disclosure of the damaging information in the final weeks before the presidential election," it was learnt during Trump's arraignment. The indictment also says that Cohen was approached by the editor-in-chief and CEO of the National Enquirer.

“He [Trump] instructed [Cohen] that if they could delay the payment until after the election, they could avoid paying altogether, because at that point it would not matter if the story became public,” the indictment revealed. 

The criminal charges unsealed on Tuesday against the ex-US President Donald Trump in his indictment are related to entries in Trump Organization business records. Manhattan prosecutors are accusing Trump of falsifying the entries on Trump’s account. All these entries were made in 2017, the indictment shows. 

Prosecutors are saying that in the court Tuesday, the adult film actress Stormy Daniels will be a witness in the 2016 hush money case against the former President Donald Trump.

As the former US President heads to his Florida residence, reports are emerging that the next in-person hearing in the case is set for December 4, CNN reported. While Trump is expected to address the nation from his Mar-a-Lago residence, Manhattan DA will hold a separate press conference shortly. 

As former US President Donald Trump left the New York court reports are emerging that his daughter Ivanka Trump met his father before his arrest. She met her father two days before his arrest. Ivanka has kept a low profile throughout the whole ordeal. 

The full indictment document of the former US President was released which outlined the charges against Donald Trump. The indictment shows that the former president is facing 34 counts of falsifying business records in the first record. The document came moments before Manhattan DA is expected to address a press conference. The indictment accuses Donald Trump of directing 3 different instances of hush money payments to cover up alleged affairs. 

Click here to read the full indictment record. 

The Former US President Donald Trump's motorcade headed to the airport after the former US President pleaded not guilty in his arraignment proceedings.  The Former US President is expected to address the nation from his Mar-a-Lago home. 

While Trump got fingerprinted the New York Judge warned the former US President about his social media post, NBC reported.  Trump was warned by the judge about his use of language and his social media posts - at least one of those referred to the judge as "highly partisan".

After brief arraignment proceedings, US President Donald Trump left the New York courthouse. When journalists asked about the arraignment proceedings, the business-mogul-tuned politician had nothing to say. 

Former US President Donald Trump's indictment record has been unsealed. The indictment against the former president, People of the State of New York against Donald J. Trump, Indictment No. 71543-23 was unsealed, New York Times reported. The March 30 indictment was kept sealed until the arraignment proceedings.  

In the midst of all the chaos, an interesting fact emerges that the former US president's father was arrested Twice. Trump’s father, Fred Trump, was arrested twice, once in 1927 during a Ku Klux Klan riot, and the second time in 1976 over code violations at a building he owned in Maryland, Washington Post reported. 

Republican US House member, Marjorie Taylor Greene took to Twitter to express her support for the former US President. "Communist Democrats arrested President Trump because he’s the only man standing in their way as they fight for a hostile takeover of America. We will never abandon him," MGT wrote on Twitter. 

Communist Democrats arrested President Trump because he’s the only man standing in their way as they fight for a hostile takeover of America.

We will never abandon him. pic.twitter.com/3gsqZeGMHz

— Marjorie Taylor Greene 🇺🇸 (@mtgreenee)

Former US  President Donald Trump who accompanied his father on the plane from Florida to New York yesterday, tweeted in support of him. 

#FreeTrump

— Eric Trump (@EricTrump)

As the US President gets formally arrested he pleaded not guilty to 34 felony counts of falsifying business records in the New York court, ABC News reported. 

#BREAKING | Ex-US President Donald Trump pleads not guilty to 34 counts of felony charges.https://t.co/SGD9SrSdRf pic.twitter.com/0TcYtolzHe

— Republic (@republic)

After the former US president gets formally arrested. visuals are appearing of the former reality star from inside the Manhattan courtroom. 

Democratic Senate majority leader Chuck Schumer reacted to Trump's arraignment. "I believe that Donald Trump will have a fair trial that follows the facts and the law. There’s no place in our justice system for any outside influence or intimidation in the legal process. As the trial proceeds, protest is an American right, but all protests must be peaceful,"

I believe that Donald Trump will have a fair trial that follows the facts and the law. There’s no place in our justice system for any outside influence or intimidation in the legal process. As the trial proceeds, protest is an American right, but all protests must be peaceful.

— Chuck Schumer (@SenSchumer)

Former US President Donald Trump is heading to the 15th floor of the Manhattan courtroom for his arraignment hearing. He will now be presented before Judge Juan Merchan. Follow Republic for more updates. 

As the former US President gets formally arrested here are the key details of the arraignment process. Court officials will create a record of Trump's name, age, birthdate, height and weight before taking his fingerprints via a computerised system. They may take his mugshot. He will then be arraigned in court before Judge Juan Merchan at 2.15 pm US time (7.15 GMT). This will see the judge read out the charges to him

Source: Sky News

After getting formally arrested, the former US President gets fingerprinted. He'll now be arraigned momentarily. With this Trump became the first US President to be formally arrested. 

The former US President came out of his Trump Tower as he heads to the Manhattan court for the arraignment proceedings. Minutes after Trump came out from his residence he was formally arrested and then fingerprinted. With this Trump became the first president to get arrested. Image: AP 

Supporters and protesters of Trump's arraignment proceedings gather outside the lower Manhattan court. Image: AP

Pro-Trump supporter clashes with the supporters of Trump's arrest as the circus continues outside the courthouse. Image: AP

Republican congressman Jim Jordan took to Twitter to express his support for former US President Donald Trump. "The indictment wouldn’t happen if President Trump didn’t run for office," he wrote on Twitter. "Equal justice under the law, unless you’re a Republican running for president," he wrote in another Tweet. 

The indictment wouldn’t happen if President Trump didn’t run for office.

— Rep. Jim Jordan (@Jim_Jordan)

Equal justice under the law, unless you’re a Republican running for president.

— Rep. Jim Jordan (@Jim_Jordan)

As Donald Trump gets formally arrested and awaits for his hearing, criminal defence lawyer Julie Rendelman says she "never thought she would see a day like this". 

"I honestly cannot believe what is happening today - I really can't . Never thought I would see a day like this," she said. 

"There are a lot of hurdles for the prosecution to get over to find him guilty beyond reasonable doubt," she added.

Former President Donald Trump has arrived at the Manhattan courthouse where he is expected to plead not guilty to criminal charges. He entered the courthouse surrounded by Secret Service agents.Trump’s motorcade traveled from Trump Tower in Midtown Manhattan, tracked by numerous helicopters. Few minutes ago the former US President surrendered to the authorities and was formally arrested.

The ex-president has now surrendered to authorities and is formally under arrest. A few minutes ago former US President took to his social media platform TruthSocial to give an update that he is heading to the Manhattan courthouse. "Heading to Lower Manhattan, the Courthouse. Seems so SURREAL — WOW, they are going to ARREST ME. Can’t believe this is happening in America. MAGA!," Trump wrote on TruthSocial.

Former US President waved and gave air fist bumps to his supporters as he heads for his arraignment proceedings at the lower Manhattan court. 

Trump gives everyone a wave and a fist pump before heading into the courthouse
pic.twitter.com/fvQqAKlQt8

— Greg Price (@greg_price11)

As the former US President heads to the lower Manhattan court, the streets of New York City look even busier. Just a few minutes ago the former reality TV star came out of his famous Trump Tower to head to the court. 

The ariel shot outside the Trump Tower shows the former US President heading to a black SUV as he is surrounded by his security. Image: AP

Trump heads to the Manhattan court surrounded by his security. Image: AP

As per inputs, video cameras are not allowed; however, still photographers may be allowed inside until proceedings begin. Earlier today, the New York Supreme court judge, Juan Merchan stated that cameras will not be allowed inside the court during the arraignment proceedings. 

Republic is going live to give all updates on Trump's arraignment proceedings. Keep tracking this space for more updates.

Former US President Donald Trump has left his penthouse in the Trump Tower to appear before the courthouse in lower Manhattan. The Former US President was escorted by security service agents and his legal team as he get into his SUV. The former US President will now face acting New York Supreme Court Judge Juan Merchan. 

Trump's entourage heads to Manhattan, Image: AP

Ex-President Donald Trump is planning to deliver a brief comment, probably a line before he enters the Manhattan courtroom, American broadcaster CNN has learnt. This would be a short glimpse into the remarks that he plans to deliver at Mar-a-Lago.  Advisers, however, are asking him to hold off the comments. Instead, he is being advised to deliver them at the ballroom full of supporters, surrogates and friends. Unplanned remarks can also "put him at high risk of hurting his case," advisors are reported telling the former US President.

Republican Senator Marco Rubio said that Trump’s arraignment is a "bad day for America". On Tuesday, the Republican leader shared a video on Twitter and reacted to the arrest. “Today, American politics crosses a line that it’s never going to come back from,” he said, adding that he finds charges, which have not been made public, ridiculous,” he asserted in the video. 

Today is a bad day for all of us & we are all going to regret it for a very long time pic.twitter.com/Nc2oMpeFz0

— Marco Rubio (@marcorubio)

Republican congressman and Donald Trump's longtime ally Jim Jordan condemned the "unconstitutional gag order" against the Former US President Donald Trump. Ahead of the arraignment proceedings, the representative released a joint statement with Republican congressman James Comer. "To put any restrictions on the ability of President Trump to discuss his mistreatment at the hands of this politically motivated prosecutor would only further demonstrate the weaponisation of the New York justice system," they wrote in the Tuesday statement. 

pic.twitter.com/NxVJwQTRaY

— Rep. Jim Jordan (@Jim_Jordan)

While there are still a few hours left before former US President Donald Trump appears before the New York court for his arraignment proceedings, the circus outside the Manhattan court is at its full glory. A massive crowd stands outside the New York court as the fate of the former US President is yet to be determined. While some are protesting against the US President outside the court, others are hoping for the former President to go behind the bar. 

 New Yorkers find interesting ways to react to the prospects of the former US President getting arrested. A  person raises a poster where a caricaturish Trump can be seen behind the bars. Image: AP

Another demonstrator can be seen with signage that reads "Uninstalling Trump. The system is corrupt this might take a while..."

Former US President Donald Trump went on a rampage on his social media platform TruthSocial and stated that his case should be moved from New York to Staten Island. "VERY UNFAIR VENUE, WITH SOME AREAS THAT VOTED 1% REPUBLICAN. THIS CASE SHOULD BE MOVED TO NEARBY STATEN ISLAND - WOULD BE A VERY FAIR AND SECURE LOCATION FOR THE TRIAL. ADDITIONALLY, THE HIGHLY PARTISAN JUDGE & HIS FAMILY ARE WELL-KNOWN TRUMP HATERS. HE WAS AN UNFAIR DISASTER ON A PREVIOUS TRUMP RELATED CASE, WOULDN’T RECUSE, GAVE HORRIBLE JURY INSTRUCTIONS, & IMPOSSIBLE TO DEAL WITH DURING THE WITCH HUNT TRIAL. HIS DAUGHTER WORKED FOR “KAMALA” & NOW THE BIDEN-HARRIS CAMPAIGN. KANGAROO COURT!!!," the former US stated in a post on TruthSocial. 

Ahead of the arraignment hearing, former US President Donald Trump sent out a message to his supporter. "Today is the day that a ruling political party ARRESTS its leading opponent for having committed NO CRIME. As I will be out of commission for the next few hours, I want to take this moment to THANK YOU for all of your support," Trump wrote in the message. "Our nation is becoming a Marxist Third World country that CRIMINALIZES dissent and IMPRISONS its political opposition. We are a nation that declared its independence from the world’s biggest empire, won two world wars, and landed the first man on the moon. Resilience is in our blood," he added.

Former US President Trump claimed that the radicalised Democrats have criminalised the judicial system. "THE RADICAL LEFT DEMOCRATS HAVE CRIMINALIZED THE JUSTICE SYSTEM. THIS IS NOT WHAT AMERICA WAS SUPPOSED TO BE!" the twice impeached former US President wrote on his social media platform TruthSocial. 

The Associated Press journalist Eric Tucker spoke to Republic about the Trump saga. Tucker talked about what to expect from the upcoming arraignment proceedings. Follow Republic to stay updated.

As the world braces itself for Trump's arraignment proceedings, Republic spoke to Associated Press Journalist Eric Tucker, to understand the nitty gritty of the ongoing legal case against the former US President. Follow Republic to get more updates on the story. 

#BiggestStoryTonight | Former President Donald Trump in New York for surrender. Indicted Trump to be arraigned in Manhattan court today; supporters gather outside the court.#DonaldTrump #USA #NewYork #Manhattan #FormerUSPresidenthttps://t.co/ge3J2OW61a pic.twitter.com/BEeznEpGtQ

— Republic (@republic)

Republican leader from New York, Rep. George Santos will attend a pro-Trump protest ahead of Trump's arraignment proceedings. Santos's operations director Vish Burra confirmed the news during his conversation with NBC News. However, Burra made it clear that Santos will not speak at the protest. Earlier today, Rep, Marjorie Taylor Greene urged protestors to join her demonstrations against Trump's arraignment. 

The former US president's lawyer, Joe Tacopina said that all three of Trump's lawyers will be present in court. According to NBC, Tacopina confirmed that Susan Necheles and newly appointed lawyer Todd Blanche will be present in the arraignment proceedings that will take place in Manhattan court this afternoon. 

A cardboard cut out of Hillary Clinton was seen outside the court with a sign of the phrase "Lock him up". The former US Secretary of State and the wife of former US President Bill Clinton fought against Trump in the 2016 presidential elections. 

Manhattan District Attorney has arrived in court ahead of Donald Trump's arraignment proceedings, NBC news reported. With the Trump saga, Alvin could become the first prosecutor anywhere in the country to bring a criminal case against a former US President. 

Click here, to know more about him 

Republican congresswoman and longtime Trump ally Marjorie Taylor Green called for people to gather at Collect Pond Park in Manhattan and stage a protest against Trump's arraignment proceedings. "Join me TOMORROW at 10:30 AM with @NYYRC to protest the political persecution of President Donald J. Trump in NYC at Collect Pond Park. Wear your MAGA hats!!" she wrote on Twitter. In her tweet, MGT also shared a picture of Trump with the caption, "The Radical Left's only chance against President Trump is unprecedented election interference". 

Join me TOMORROW at 10:30 AM with @NYYRC to protest the political persecution of President Donald J. Trump in NYC at Collect Pond Park.

Wear your MAGA hats!!

RSVP to attend: https://t.co/R3wX5DRONl pic.twitter.com/XKva9eTzY0

— Marjorie Taylor Greene 🇺🇸 (@mtgreenee)

Ahead of the arraignment proceedings, Trump's lawyer Joe Tacopina insisted on Friday that the former US president will not plead guilty to the indictment charges. "Really, there's a lot of mystery here because we're doing something that's never been done before," Tacopina told ABC News on Friday. "One thing I can assure you as I sit here today is there will be no guilty plea in this case, That is one thing I can guarantee you," he added. 

The Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg was one of the key actors in the Trump Indictment saga. It was Bragg who inherited the case from his predecessor Cyrus R. Vance Jr and pushed for Trump's indictment this year. 

According to the office of the Manhattan DA, Bragg reached the position through a “lifetime of hard work and courage". However, the roads of Bragg and the former US President collided after he inherited the investigation into the infamous case from his predecessor Cyrus R. Vance Jr. In his career which spans more than two decades, the Manhattan DA has apparently been known to be “soft on crimes”. But, the recent decision by the New York grand jury and the role Bragg played in the whole ordeal, secured him a spot in the history books. 

Read more about the Manhattan District Attorney who spearheaded the whole ordeal. 

The authorities are ramping up security outside the Manhattan court in New York, where Trump's arraignment proceedings will begin at 2:15 pm. According to CNN, court officers who are usually inside the building, however on Tuesday morning they are running security outside the building. The New York Supreme court judge, Juan Merchan has stated that cameras will not be allowed inside the court during the arraignment proceedings. 

As the former US President braces for his arrangement proceedings, here's a look at what we know so far; 

• On March 30, a New York grand jury voted to indict former US President Donald Trump. 
• The 45th President became the first US President to be indicted for criminal charges. 
• While the charges against Trump were not made public, it was revealed that the case was related to the former US president's involvement in paying hush money to porn star Stormy Daniels.
• The payment was made as part of Trump's 2016 presidential campaign, making it go against federal laws. 
• It was Manhattan DA Avil Bragg, who pushed for the indictment proceedings this year and Micheal D Cohen, Trump's former lawyer emerged as the prime witness. 
• On Monday, the US President took off from Florida and landed in New York and stayed at Trump Tower 
• On Tuesday, acting  New York Supreme Court Judge Juan Merchan will preside over the arraignment proceedings and no camera will be allowed during proceedings. 

Secret Service agents serving Donald Trump may testify as part of the federal investigation into the former US President's handling of classified documents, it was reported. Fox News' Bret Baier said on Twitter that "multiple" agents connected to Donald Trump have been subpoenaed and are "expected to testify before the D.C. grand jury likely on Friday."

"The grand jury appearances are related to the Special Counsel Jack Smith probe into the handling of classified documents at Mar-a-Lago," Bret Baier tweeted.

No. So-called perp walks happen when a criminal suspect is taken in handcuffs out of a police precinct and then driven to the courthouse. But Trump won’t be going to a police precinct. He’s arranged a surrender with the district attorney’s office and will head straight to the court, skipping a police station entirely. It’s very unlikely anyone will get a glimpse of him going into court, unless he wants to be seen. That’s because there are underground entrances, side doors and tunnels in and around the Manhattan courthouse.

(as reported by AP)

The former US president’s fortune dropped from an estimated $3.2 billion last fall to $2.5 billion on Monday, acoording to Forbes. His once hyped social media business Truth Social has come crashing down, erasing $550 million from his net worth—so far.

Truth Social is adding an estimated 100,000 users per month. If people continue to join at the current pace—and assuming that no one quits or dies—Truth Social will not hit its projected 81 million users until 2086. By that point, Trump would be 140 years old. A more likely outcome: Truth Social will join Trump Steaks, Trump University and GoTrump.com in the group of failed Trump ventures.

New York City mayor Eric Adams commented on the Trump indictment and singled out Republican Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene.

“While there may be some rabble-rousers thinking about coming to our city tomorrow, our message is clear and simple: control yourselves. New York City is our home, not a playground for your misplaced anger. We are the safest large city in America because we respect the rule of law in New York City. And although we have no specific threats, people like Marjorie Taylor Greene, who is known to spread misinformation and hate speech, she's stated she's coming to town. While you’re in town, be on your best behavior.”

Acting New York Supreme Court Judge Juan Merchan acknowledged the media's request to broadcast former President Donald Trump's arraignment in his order on Monday night, stating that it was understandable, reported CNN.

However, he noted that the media's interest in providing widespread access to the proceedings must be considered in light of "competing interests." While he rejected the request to broadcast the arraignment live on television, Merchan did write about the historical significance of the proceeding in strong terms.

“That this indictment involves a matter of monumental significance cannot possibly be disputed. Never in the history of the United States has a sitting or past President been indicted on criminal charges. Mr. Trump's arraignment has generated unparalleled public interest and media attention,” he wrote. “The populace rightly hungers for the most accurate and current information available. To suggest otherwise would be disingenuous.”

On Monday night (local time), Judge Juan Merchan of the New York Supreme Court ruled that news outlets would not be permitted to broadcast former President Donald Trump's arraignment on Tuesday, reported CNN. However, the judge did approve the request for five pool photographers to take still photos in the courtroom before the proceedings formally begin.

While Trump's arraignment is a public proceeding, news cameras are not usually allowed to broadcast from inside the courtroom. Trump's lawyers urged the judge to reject the media's request for live cameras, and the Manhattan District Attorney's office remained neutral. Media organisations, argued that the "gravity of this proceeding... and the need for the broadest possible public access, cannot be overstated."

Former US president Donald Trump bolstered his legal team Monday, adding a third high-profile attorney, Todd Blanche. A former federal prosecutor, Blanche has previously represented Trump’s former campaign chairman Paul Manafort.

Blanche, until recently a partner at law firm Cadwalader, Wickersham & Taft, said in an email obtained by POLITICO that he was resigning from the firm because “I have been asked to represent Trump in the recently charged DA case, and after much thought/consideration, I have decided it is the best thing for me to do and an opportunity I should not pass up.”

His caseload has featured charges against former President Donald Trump’s company and some of Trump’s closest associates in business and politics.

Now Judge Juan Manuel Merchan is poised to take the historic hush-money prosecution of Trump himself.

Merchan, a former prosecutor with 16 years on the bench, is expected to preside Tuesday over the unprecedented arraignment  of a former U.S. commander in chief. Trump will appear to answer charges arising from a grand jury investigation into payments made during his 2016 campaign to bury allegations that he had extramarital sexual encounters.

Trump, who is running for the White House again, says he’s “completely innocent” and has called the case a “political persecution.” He has also seized on Merchan’s involvement.

The judge “HATES ME,” Trump railed on his social media platform.

(as reported by AP)

Former President Donald Trump has met with his attorneys Susan Necheles and Joe Tacopina at Trump Tower, American broadcaster CNN is reporting. The meeting was conducted shortly after Trump arrived in New York City from Florida for his arraignment. It is not known whether Trump’s New York legal team addition, Todd Blanche, was present in the meeting. 

US Special counsel prosecutors may have secured the evidence that include the texts, emails and photographs on how Trump handled the classified records at Mar-a-Lago. Multiple sources familiar with the investigation have told CNN that the new evidence has emerged as the  US Justice Department is nearing to an end to its investigation. Trump is facing probe related to mishandling of records and obstruction of justice. 

While former US President Donald Trump has arrived in New York for his arraignment proceedings, his younger son Eric Trump had taken to Twitter to showcase his support for his father.

"I am so proud of this man!" Eric wrote about his father, Donald Trump.

Trump has landed from his private jet at New York's La Guardia Airport ahead of his expected Tuesday arraignment in a Manhattan courthouse. Here are pictures of the former US president who was indicted by a New York grand jury on Thursday last week for the "hush" payment in 2016 to American porn star Stormy Daniels that may have been in violation of the US federal campaign laws on elections. 

Trump was seen waving at his supporters as he landed in New york and arrived at Trump Tower. Credit: Yuki Iwamura/AP

Journalists set up along an airport fence with the flag-adorned tail of the private plane of former President Donald Trump visible in the distance. Credit: AP

Ex-US President Donald Trump arrived at Trump Tower in Midtown Manhattan. According to reports he will spend the night here before his arraignment in lower Manhattan on Tuesday. His motorcade stopped near the side entrance of the hotel at 56th Street and Trump reportedly briefly waved at his supporters before he got out.

As Trump landed in New York, US President Joe Biden weighed in on the indictment in the first-ever public remark while he toured the manufacturing facility in Minnesota. Biden stressed to the reporters in Washington that he has faith in the American legal system as he made his most extensive comment yet on Republican chief Trump's indictment.

When asked by the American reporters whether he was worried about the nationwide unrest, Biden said: "No. I have faith in the New York Police Department."

Ex-US President, Donald Trump has landed in New York. He is expected to meet his lawyers ahead of the arraignment, according to reports. Trump's private jet landed at LaGuardia airport at 3.27 pm ET. His plane flew up to three hours from Florida to New York. 

Trump is the first President in US history to be charged criminally, he will surrender to authorities in Manhattan. In the afternoon, he will appear in New York state court. After landing, Trump, after hearing, will return to Palm Beach and will also deliver remarks after arraignment from his Mar-a-Lago resort.

As Trump has taken off for New York for a court hearing, US President Joe Biden has arrived in Minnesota where he was reported touring a clean energy technology manufacturer in suburban Minneapolis. The visit comes as a part of the Biden administration's efforts to highlight the investment agenda ahead of the reelection campaign by the Democrats, Associated Press is reporting. In Minnesota, Biden is expected to underscore the job growth, and press for a transition to clean energy and manufacturing in the US. 

Since the beginning of my Administration, private companies have announced $435 billion in manufacturing and clean energy investments in the United States.

That return on our investment will strengthen U.S. competitiveness throughout the 21st century.

— President Biden (@POTUS)

Former President Donald Trump's lawyer Susan Necheles has strongly rejected appeals of the media to bring the cameras in the courtroom for Trump's Tuesday arraignment.

"It will create a circus-like atmosphere at the arraignment, raise unique security concerns, and is inconsistent with President Trump’s presumption of innocence," Necheles was quoted saying.

As Georgian politician Marjorie Taylor Greene, the Republican pro-Trump congresswoman vocalised her intention to join the "protests" in New York ahead of Trump's court hearing, she is being bashed by top US lawmakers, unabatedly. 

Marjorie Taylor Greene, in a televised interview on 60 Minutes,  propelled conspiracy theories about Trump's trial to discredit the Democrats. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, the New York progressive is now responding to Greene. "These kinds of extreme and really just unprecedented and dangerous notions are getting platforms, without much pushback or real kind of critical analysis," AOC told  Semafor. 

Matthew Gertz, of Media Matters watchdog, has jumped the wagon, rectifying the pro-Trump Congresswoman, as he said: "Anyone who believes that the congresswoman from QAnon is serious about renouncing far-right radicalism and conspiracy theories should make me an offer on my Jewish space laser.”

Greene on mainstream television has said that she will be outside the New York courthouse to demonstrate with MAGA supporters, where the former president will be arraigned.

Donald Trump's lawyer, Joe Tacopina has added in his remarks that he plans to "stand before the judge, and say 'not guilty'" as the former US President appears in the New York court. 

"What I hope is that we get in and out of there as quickly as possible, that it's, at the end of the day, a typical arraignment where we stand before the judge, we say 'not guilty,' we set schedules to file motions and whatnot or discovery, and we move forward and get out of there," Tacopina told ABC.

Donald Trump's lawyer has said that he "doesn't know what to expect" as the ex US President is arraigned Tuesday in New York.  

"This is unprecedented. I don't know. I've done a million arraignments in that courthouse with celebrities and whatnot. But this is a whole different thing. We have Secret Service involved. I understand they're closing the courthouse for the afternoon. I just don't know what to expect to see," Joe Tacopina told ABC "This Week."

Trump's lawyer. Credit: AP

As Trump heads to New York for arraignment, US Senate Homeland Security Chairman Gary Peters was reported saying that there is not indication that pro-Trump protests in Washington, DC "will become dangerous."

“I think you’re always going to be vigilant, so folks will be vigilant. Security and local law enforcement are certainly monitoring it," he said at a press conference. 

 “We don’t know what’s gonna transpire tomorrow, let alone what’s going to happen in the few weeks and months. I think we’d have to take a look at what the indictment is all about," he further stated. 

Ex-US President Donald Trump's lawyers have told a New York judge that the former President is opposing any request by media outlets or organizations to broadcast his arraignment or make the audio and visuals from Tuesday "public." 

“We submit that the media request should be denied because it will create a circus-like atmosphere at the arraignment, raise unique security concerns, and is inconsistent with President Trump’s presumption of innocence,” the Trump team told New York Supreme Court Judge Juan Merchant in a letter accessed by American broadcaster CNN. 

Acting New York Supreme Court Judge Merchan has also been told by Trump's lawyers that they consider potential security concerns to keep arraignment private. 

“As Your Honor is well-aware, this case presents extraordinary security concerns (including Secret Service-related concerns) and we submit that any video or photography of the proceedings will only heighten these serious concerns,” their letter read. 

It is to be noted, that Manhattan District Attorney’s office has announced that it is deferring to the judge to decide how to manage the court room.

Ahead of his arraignment, as Trump boarded private jet at Palm Beach International Airport for New York, here's telling scenes in photos from state of Florida as his motorcade pulled out of the Mar-a-Lago residence to his red, white and blue Boeing 757. 

Former president Donald Trump waves before boarding his plane at Palm Beach International Airport, Monday, April 3, 2023, in West Palm Beach, Fla. Credit: AP

Ex-US president Donald Trump waves at the top of the stairs as he boards his plane at Palm Beach International Airport, Monday, April 3, 2023, in West Palm Beach, Fla. Trump is heading to New York for his expected booking and arraignment on charges arising from hush money payments during his 2016 campaign. Credit: Rebecca Blackwell/ Associated Press

The plane carrying former president Donald Trump lifts off at Palm Beach International Airport, Monday, April 3, 2023, in West Palm Beach, Fla. Credit: Associated Press

An NYPD officer blocks a street near Trump Tower, Monday, April 3, 2023 in New York. Former President Donald Trump is expected to travel to New York to face charges related to hush money payments. Credit: Associated Press

Trump Tower. Credit: Bryan Woolston/ for AP

Members of the United States Secret Service stand outside Trump Tower, Monday, April 3, 2023 in New York. Credit: AP

Trump supporters stand outside Palm Beach International Airport in West Palm Beach, Fla.​​​​​​​ Credit: AP

A supporter of former President Donald Trump makes a recording of himself near Trump Tower. Credit: AP

Security forces gather outside Manhattan Criminal Court, Monday, April 3, 2023, in New York. ​​​​​​​Credit: AP

A caravan of vehicles leaves Mar-a-Lago club en route to Palm Beach International Airport, Monday, April 3, 2023, in Palm Beach, Fla. Credit: AP

Supporters of former President Donald Trump cheer and wave flags as his motorcade passes by, Monday, April 3, 2023, in West Palm Beach, Fla. Credit: AP

Ex-US President, Donald Trump has left his Mar-a-Lago residence for Manhattan court as he is readying to be arraigned in the hush money case to porn star Stormy Daniels. Trump is on his way to New York and his motorcade reportedly just drove from his Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida to Palm Beach international airport. There, the former leader will board his private jet to LaGuardia airport in New York and will head to the court in presence of a Secret Service detail. 

Several black SUVs and other vehicles belonging to the US Secret Service left Trump's Florida resort shortly after 12.15 pm.  While Trump was in the car, he wasn't visible from the glass of the vehicle. 

Trump Force One is airborne! pic.twitter.com/YvbpuIvvBk

— Gary D (@KMGGaryde)

In television interviews, Trump's lawyer Joe Tacopina has refused to disclose the next steps that he would take after the former US President's indictment. Tacopina, however, acknowledged that he has already devised the next legal steps. He dodged questions about whether he will file a motion to dismiss the case against Trump even as it is common for defence attorneys to do that.

“We’re way too early to start deciding what motions we’re going to file or not file, and we do need to see the indictment and get to work,” he told ABC’s “This Week.” “I mean, look, this is the beginning.”

A mugshot will not be necessary for former President Donald Trump during the hearing in New York Court, Trump’s lawyer Alina Habba told US broadcasters. "Mugshots are for people so that you recognize who they are. He’s the most recognized face in the world, let alone the country, right now, so there’s no need for that," Habba was reported saying. 

Trump will also be not in handcuffs as he appears in court and is brought before a judge, a lawyer was reported telling CBS news last week. It was then speculated that Trump will still have his fingerprints and a mugshot taken.

Republican leader has been indicted in a case of a $130,000 "hush money" paid to porn star Stormy Daniels in 2016 by his attorney Michael Cohen. The payment Trump made may have been in breach of the laws on election financing in the US which could lead to a misdemeanour or felony charge.

Such a conviction entails a maximum sentence of four years in prison. Trump, however, has called his indictment a "political persecution" and the charges are still not made public and will be unsealed Tuesday.

Credit: twitter/@atensnut

Since his indictment Thursday, last week, Trump's campaign has raised more than $5 million and logged more than 16,000 volunteer signups. Trump spokesman Steven Cheung said in a statement that these were “key indicators that Americans from all backgrounds are sick and tired of the weaponization of the justice system against President Trump and his supporters.”

Eric Trump, Trump's second son, has hailed the 'unbelievable' support as his father leaves Fla., for the New york City. "Unbelievable support for miles as we depart to New York!" he wrote. 

Unbelievable support for miles as we depart to New York! pic.twitter.com/Qa0c2pXBip

— Eric Trump (@EricTrump)

• Ex Republican leader, Donald Trump’s private jet in the last hour took off from Palm Beach international airport in the state of Florida, and is en route to New York where Trump is expected to appear at the court. Trump will be arraigned Tuesday in "hush money" case from 2016. He handed illicit payment to an adult movie star Stormy Daniels via his then-lawyer Michael Cohen who was imprisoned in the same case.
• No charges were brought against Trump as he was a sitting President and his indictment would have been in breach of the Nixon-era directive.
• Trump has hired a former federal prosecutor and a renowned white collar crime attorney Todd Blanche. The latter worked as a partner at Cadwalader, Wickersham & Taft and was a former assistant US attorney in the Manhattan US attorney’s office. He will accompany Trump to New York for the case hearing. In the past, Blanche represented Paul Manafort, Trump’s former campaign manager who was charged criminally for lobbying, tax fraud, bank fraud and money laundering. 
• New York Gov Eric Adams has told Republican congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene to “behave yourself” as she declared her intention to join the protests in favour of Republican leader Trump. She will be in New York city tomorrow, protesting. 
• In an effort to boost security on the streets of New York, thousands of unformed New York police department officers would be on duty Tuesday, NYPD Commissioner Keechant Sewell said at a presser. 
• “Multiple secret service agents connected to [the] former president have received subpoenas to testify Friday to a Washington DC grand jury," American broadcaster Fox news has learnt. 

Stay on our LIVE blog on Trump's arraignment to get minute-by-minute latest updates.

A sealed indictment is standard in New York until the arraignment. But charges not known are likely eroding the American public trust. Ex-US President Donald Trump faces dozens of investigations already linked to his incessant refusal to accept the 2020 presidential election defeat. He had also hurled unsubstantiated claims of electoral fraud, pointing finger at the legitimacy of the American democracy. Legal experts now worry that Trump’s indictment in New York involving a hush money payment in 2016 will "jeopardize public trust in the election-related cases." 

American media organizations have demanded this week that Manhattan judge Juan Merchan "immediately unseals" the charges brought against Trump. 

Development last week

Trump's indictment is a high-profile case involving a former President. News agencies demand the full public access to the indictment of the 45th President of the United States Donald Trump. Trump will be arraigned at the criminal courthouse on Centre Street, Lower Manhattan, New York, on April 4, Tuesday. Before that, pro-Republican networks pushed for unsealing charges, as the former leader, defiantly, labelled his indictment as "political persecution" by ruling Joe Biden's Democratic party. 

A law firm that is representing leading American news organisations said in a joint statement: "Because of the overwhelming public interest in the contents of the indictment, and because no valid purpose is served by keeping the indictment under seal pending arraignment, we respectfully request that it be unsealed without delay."

Trump is facing multiple charges of falsifying business records, including at least one felony offence, in the indictment handed down against him by a New York grand jury, according to the internal sources who spoke to Associated Press. The charges have not yet been unsealed publicly. 

The sources were not authorized to discuss such details that aren’t yet public and requested anonymity to reveal the information about the charges Trump is facing. 

One former federal prosecutor, on condition of anonymity, has also said that the Manhattan DA and other investigators wouldn’t move forward with such a case unless they feel confident of a conviction of a former United States President.

Ahead of his arraignment, Tuesday, former US President Donald Trump is gearing up as he has reportedly expanded his legal team with the white-collar defense attorney. Trump has hired a top former federal prosecutor, Todd Blanche, a popular former assistant US attorney in the Manhattan US attorney's office, who will lead his defense in Tuesday's arraignment, reports suggest. 

Blanche had previously quit his law firm for a new job role at Cadwalader, Wickersham & Taft. He is renowned to have represented top and high-profile American clients like Paul Manafort, an ex-campaign chairman for Trump who served jailtime for unregistered lobbying, tax fraud, bank fraud and money laundering  and Igor Fruman, an ex-associate to Rudy Giuliani.

As New York City boosts security arrangements ahead of Trump's arrival to the court, New York City's mayor Eric Adams has said that "there has been no specific credible threat" yet. 

"All New Yorkers should go on with their regular activities" on Tuesday, Adams stressed at a conference. He notified that the New Yorkers must expect "some disruptions, including traffic and street closures."

Join us at City Hall for an important public safety update. https://t.co/3dNxm2ClWm

— Mayor Eric Adams (@NYCMayor)

While Trump has left the state of Florida to attend the hearing in the New york court, Republican governor Ron DeSantis signed the controversial bill into law that allows Floridians to carry guns without a permit. Fla., is now a permitless carry state, according to Tampa Bay Times. The draconian law allows anybody over 18 to legally carry a concealed weapon. DeSantis, via the bill, has removed the permitting and training regulations that were previously needed to carry guns. The move has sparked tensions and condemnation from gun control advocates at a time when America is polarized amidst the ongoing trial of ex-President Donald Trump. 

US President Joe Biden will skip the coronation of King Charles III in early May. The reports have been confirmed as former US leader Trump prepares for arraignment in the 2016 hush-money case. It is, however, not uncommon for US presidents to not attend such events.

It is learned that the US First lady Jill Biden will attend the UK King's coordination with the delegation that Biden will send. Last month, a White House official told Times that King Charles' coronation does “not feel like an event Joe Biden will attend”.

Ahead of Trump's arraignment, an estimated 35,000 uniformed New York city police officers will be on duty on Tuesday. There are fears of the protests turning violent or civil unrest as Trump's MAGA supporters is awaited to flood the streets of New York, where the case is being heard at a Manhattan Court. Police commissioner Keechant Sewell, at a press briefing, is assuring the protesters, mostly Trump's supporters, that everyone's voices will be heard but "peacefully." 

NYPD has ordered street closures around the courthouse and has said that Americans will be allowed to exercise their first amendment rights.

"But I will remind everyone that violence and destruction are not part of legitimate lawful expression. And that will never be tolerated in our city," Sewell told a presser. 

Ex-US President, Donald Trump is expected to surrender to law enforcement in New York City early this week as he is arraigned Tuesday. Sources familiar with his indictment have told American broadcasters that trump is charged with around two dozen counts, including felonies. 

As New York officials brace for Trump's arraignment, they have ramped up the security arrangements for Trump’s court appearance tomorrow. But the Republican firebrand congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene has asserted that she will join the protests. The Georgia politician is one of the most vocal supporter of Trump. 

Warning that the protests could turn wild and lead to violence, Eric Adams, the New York governor has hit back at Taylor Greene, asking her "to behave yourself." 

"While there may be some rabble-rousers thinking about coming to our city tomorrow, the message is clear and simple: control yourselves. Your city is our home, not a place for your misplaced anger.

We are the safest large city in America because we respect the rule of law in New York city. And although we have no specific threats, people like Marjorie Taylor Greene, who is known to spread misinformation and hate speech, stated she’s coming to town. While you’re in town, be on your best behaviour.

As always, we will not allow violence or vandalism of any kind. And if one is caught participating in any act of violence, they will be arrested and held accountable, no matter who you are," Adams wrote. 

Donald Trump is set to be arraigned on Tuesday after being indicted last week by a Manhattan grand jury on charges arising from hush money payments made to a porn star during his 2016 campaign, making him the first former US president to face a criminal charge and upending his bid to retake the White House in 2024.

The 76-year-old is expected to fly to New York City from his Mar-a-Lago home on Monday and plans to return back to his resort in Florida following his court hearing, where he will address his supporters on Tuesday night. 

"I will be leaving Mar-a-Lago on Monday at 12 noon, heading to Trump Tower in New York. On Tuesday morning I will be going to, believe it or not, the Courthouse. America was not supposed to be this way!” Trump wrote on his social media account on Truth Social.

As the New York city braces for demonstrations from his supporters and protestors in the wake of the unprecedented criminal indictment, Trump, who is the first former US president to face a criminal charge, will be arraigned.

The proceeding is expected to be brief. The charges in the indictment will be read to him at the hearing, which is set to last about 10-15 minutes.

Read more details here

Former US President, Donald Trump, who left his Mar-a-Lago residence for the New York airport, is facing booking and arraignment on charges related to the hush money payments to a porn star during his 2016 campaign. He is driving to the Manhattan Court in a hearing for a criminal case unlike any the US has seen.

It is to be noted that Trump has announced his third presidential campaign in November 2022. The criminal charges against him make his presidential bid more complex. Trump has headed out of the Mar-a-Lago club and is flying on his private plane to Manhattan. He spent the night at the Trump Tower before turning himself in to authorities. 

A pedestrian walks by the entrance of the Mar-a-Lago club, Monday, April 3, 2023, in Palm Beach, Fla. Credit: AP

 Former President Donald Trump faces the most urgent legal challenge of his life this week in New York, where he’s set to be arraigned Tuesday on charges arising from hush money payments during his 2016 campaign.

But as much as the attention will be on the courthouse in lower Manhattan, investigations from Atlanta to Washington will press forward, underscoring the broad range of peril he confronts as he seeks to reclaim the presidency.

The vulnerability Trump faces in Washington alone has become clear over the past month, as judges in a succession of sealed rulings have turned aside the Trump team’s efforts to block grand jury testimony from witnesses — including from his own lawyer and his former vice president — who were or still are close to him and who could conceivably offer direct insight into key events.

[Associated Press report]

Former President Donald Trump will deliver remarks Tuesday night in Florida after his scheduled arraignment in New York on charges related to hush money payments, his campaign announced, according to Associated Press. Trump will hold the event at his Mar-a-Lago club after returning from Manhattan, where he is expected to voluntarily turn himself in. He is expected to be joined in Florida by supporters as he tries to project an image of strength and defiance and turn the charges into a political asset to boost his 2024 presidential campaign.

Trump is facing multiple charges of falsifying business records, including at least one felony offence, in the indictment handed up by a Manhattan grand jury last week, two people familiar with the matter have told The Associated Press. They spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss information that is not yet public because the indictment remains under seal.