NEW YORK — On Tuesday, an important moment in American history will occur in a Manhattan courtroom when former president Donald Trump, under investigation for several election-related matters, turns himself in to face charges for receiving hush money in 2016.
Though far from conventional, the booking and arraignment will likely be brief when Trump gets fingerprinted, is informed of the allegations against him, and enters the customary not-guilty plea. The courtroom will not be accessible to Media cameras, according to Judge Juan Merchant’s decision.
Trump will be the first former president to face criminal charges. The U.S. House of Representatives twice impeached him but was never found guilty in the U.S. Senate. The Secret Service will accompany the country’s 45th president from Trump Tower to the courts, where he might be photographed for a mug shot.
Trump wouldn’t admit guilt to less serious accusations, according to his attorney Joe Tacopina, even if it ended the investigation. Although he acknowledged a lot of mystery because we were doing something that had never been done before, he claimed he didn’t think the case would ever go before a jury.
“I anticipate standard processing, which shouldn’t take 20 to 30 minutes. No handcuffs will be used, Tacopina assured ABC’s “Good Morning America.” However, yes, he will be handled somewhat similarly to anyone else.
Trump supporters who agree with the Republican former president that the New York grand jury indictment and three additional pending investigations are politically motivated and meant to undermine his bid to win the White House again in 2024 are preparing to demonstrate, according to New York police.
Trump, a former reality T.V. star, has been promoting that story to further his political ambitions, claiming that his assertions of a “witch hunt” have helped him raise $8 million since the indictment. He has criticized the Manhattan district attorney, urged fans to demonstrate, and made the unfounded allegation that the judge hearing the case “hates me”—a charge refuted by his counsel.
Trump will conduct a rally at Mar-a-Lago in Palm Beach, Florida, on Tuesday night to mark the return of his new reality: surrendering to the strict requirements of the American criminal justice system while portraying victimhood and rebellion at joyous campaign rallies. There have been at least 500 invitations to notable supporters, and some of the most pro-Trump congressional Republicans are anticipated to attend.
Trump may still run for president in 2024 and possibly win despite being convicted.
Prosecutors working under the Democratic district attorney of New York, Alvin Bragg, are set to unseal the indictment that a grand jury returned last week inside the Manhattan courthouse. The specific charges against Trump will be made known to his defense attorneys for the first time.
Several allegations of fabricating company documents are included in the indictment, including at least one felony infraction, according to two persons who spoke to The Associated Press last week.
Trump is anticipated to be freed by the authorities following his arraignment because the accusations against him do not call for the setting of bail.
The investigators closely examine six-figure payments made to former Playboy model Karen McDougal and porn actor Stormy Daniels. Both claim that years before Trump entered politics, they had sexual experiences with the married man. Trump has denied any misconduct regarding payments and denies having sexual relations with any woman.
There will be tight security in New York as the arraignment occurs more than two years after Trump supporters stormed the U.S. Capitol to prevent legislative certification of Democrat Joe Biden’s victory.
Police said they had no information indicating that there would be any violence, but they were nonetheless on high alert in case there were any interruptions.
While some rabble-rousers might consider visiting our community tomorrow, Mayor Eric Adams remarked, “Our message is clear and simple: Control yourselves.” He also singled out Georgia Republican Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, who is hosting a rally on Tuesday at a park next to the courthouse and is one of Trump’s most ardent supporters in Congress: Adams said, “When you’re in town, be on your best behavior.”
John McLaughlin, a Trump pollster, predicted that the former president would approach the day “dignitively.”
He’ll act properly, McLaughlin predicted. We’ll overcome this and win the election; he’ll demonstrate strength and dignity.
But Trump also acted resolutely. He attacked Biden in a post on his social media network late Monday night and implied that the president-elect should be in legal trouble.
