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Donald Trump, the former US president and frontrunner to be the Republican nominee in 2024, will appear in court on Tuesday and will be formally charged, fingerprinted and mugged in the moments before next year’s presidential election.
Trump was indicted last week, becoming the first president or former president to face criminal charges, in a case involving a 2016 payment to porn star Stormy Daniels. He has said he is innocent and should plead not guilty.
Trump will enter on Tuesday amid tight security as demonstrations are expected for and against liberal bullies and some global allies but have been hailed by many white, blue-collar voters and Christian conservatives.
“We must take back our Country and, MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN!” Trump wrote on his Truth Social profile shortly after arriving in New York from Florida on Monday, asking supporters to donate to his campaign.
The arraignment, where Trump will be in court to hear the charges and have the opportunity to enter a plea, is scheduled for 2:15 p.m. on Tuesday.
Trump’s lawyers objected to videography, photography and radio coverage, saying it would “add to the almost circus-like atmosphere of this case,” diminishing dignity and decency.
Judge Juan Merchan late on Monday ordered that five photographers will be admitted before the arraignment from taking pictures for several minutes until they had to stop, with cameras allowed in the hallways of the building.
District Attorney Alvin Bragg, a Democrat, who is leading the investigation, will hold a news conference later that evening.
Trump will return to Florida and deliver his remarks from Mar-a-Lago at 8:15 p.m. ET on Tuesday, his office said.
The specific charges in the indictment by a grand jury will be revealed on Tuesday. Trump and his allies have described the allegations as politically motivated.
Security tightens at lower Manhattan courts where history will unfold this week. Donald Trump is expected to turn himself in on Tuesday and become the first former president of the United States to face criminal charges.
Yahoo News late Monday said Trump would face 34 felony charges for falsifying business records. Citing one source briefed on Tuesday’s arraignment proceedings, Yahoo said there were no allegations against Trump of wrongdoing.
Protests are expected
Police over the weekend began setting up barricades near Trump Tower – where Trump arrived on Monday after flying from Florida – and the Manhattan Criminal Court building, with demonstrations expected at both sites on Tuesday.
The city’s mayor warned potential rabble-rousers to take action.
“Our message is clear and simple: Control yourself. New York City is our home, not a playground for misguided rage,” said Eric Adams.
Asked if he was worried about the unrest, President Joe Biden, a Democrat widely expected to win re-election and face a rematch against Trump, said: “No, I trust the New York Police Department.”
The case has divided people in New York, where Trump’s name is emblazoned on buildings associated with his business ventures.
“It’s a very good day. I hope it goes well and that they are finally found guilty,” said New Jersey resident Robert Hoatson, 71, outside Trump Tower on Friday.
But Trump supporter Susan Miller, leaning against a metal barrier on 5th Avenue south of Trump Tower on Monday afternoon, said she hoped the support would “give me a little strength as we go down … to the battle.”
“He’s being honest because it’s been a long day,” he said, adding he plans to return on Tuesday.
Trump’s leadership has widened his rival in the race for the Republican presidential nomination, according to a Reuters/Ipsos poll released on Monday, which was conducted after news broke that he would face criminal charges.
About 48 percent of self-described Republicans said they want Trump to be their party’s presidential nominee, up from 44 percent in the March 14-20 poll. Florida Governor Ron Desantis’ second term fell from 30 percent to 19 percent.
Facing numerous legal examinations
The Manhattan grand jury that indicted Trump heard evidence for months this year about a $130,000 payment to adult film actress Stormy Daniels in the waning days of the 2016 presidential campaign.
Daniels says she was paid to keep quiet about having a sexual relationship with Trump at a Lake Tahoe hotel in 2006. Trump denies having such a relationship with her.
Indictments or even convictions prevent Trump from becoming President.
The Manhattan investigation is just one of many legal challenges surrounding Trump.
Trump also faces a separate criminal investigation into whether he tried to overturn his 2020 election loss in Georgia, and two investigations by the special counsel into his handling of classified documents after leaving office.
Any potential trial in the Manhattan case is still at least more than a year away, legal experts say, meaning it could happen during or after the presidential campaign.
The Trump campaign raised $7 million in the three days after word of the indictment emerged last Thursday, senior adviser Jason Miller said, and released the latest in several fundraising emails, targeting media reports of the indictment.
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