Donald Trump, the former president of the United States is currently facing criminal charges, making him the first former president in history to do so. He recently appeared in a New York courtroom for arraignment, and it is anticipated that he will plead not guilty.
The grand jury indictment that details the more than 30 charges against him will be unsealed in due course. The investigation leading to this indictment centers on a payment made to Stormy Daniels, an adult film actress, as hush money during the 2016 presidential campaign.
Trump has been taken into police custody when he arrived at the Manhattan district attorney’s office in lower Manhattan for his upcoming arraignment. While Trump is expected to be fingerprinted as part of the arrest, it remains uncertain whether he will have his mugshot taken. The arraignment is expected to be a quick and standard procedure but marks a strange and momentous moment in American history.
Despite the arrest, Trump will not be handcuffed, as he will receive continuous law enforcement protection.
Before leaving to Manhattan, the former US president wrote on social media.
It is important to note that media outlets were denied permission to broadcast the arraignment live by the judge, meaning that there will be no live coverage of the event. However, five still photographers were permitted to take pictures of both the former president and the courtroom prior to the start of the hearing.
Sources familiar with the matter reported that, while his legal team dealt with the specifics of his arraignment, former US President Donald Trump had privately expressed a desire to have his mugshot taken. However, others have indicated that this is unlikely to occur once he enters the Manhattan Criminal Court building.
Trump and his team are reportedly viewing the legal proceeding as an opportunity to benefit his potential 2024 presidential campaign, with discussions about fundraising and merchandise options. Some have even considered the idea of using a photo of the former president’s booking to their advantage.
Former President Donald Trump is set to make brief remarks as he enters the Manhattan courtroom this afternoon, according to his advisers. They have emphasized that they hope this will be the extent of his comments until his speech at Mar-a-Lago later tonight. However, Trump is known to chart his own course, and advisers have warned him that any unplanned remarks could damage his case. Trump’s speech at Mar-a-Lago is also expected to undergo legal scrutiny before delivery.
Throughout the morning, Trump has been speaking with his legal team, political advisers, and Republican allies, focusing on the specific charges contained in the sealed indictment. It is difficult for him to assess his political or legal standing until he knows the exact nature of the charges against him.
As he leaves Trump Tower later today, the former president will relinquish a degree of control he has wielded over every aspect of his life in Manhattan for decades. Even in his defiance and not guilty plea, Trump will become a criminal defendant, something he has spent his life avoiding.
President Joe Biden’s reaction
The White House confirmed that President Joe Biden is aware of his predecessor’s arraignment but emphasized that it is not his main focus, and he will instead concentrate on issues such as lowering prices for Americans.
According to White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre, Biden will catch up with the news when he has a chance, but this will not be the focus of his day. Biden has a meeting scheduled with his Council of Advisors on Science and Technology to discuss artificial intelligence during Trump’s arraignment in Manhattan.
The press secretary did not comment on the specifics of the case but stated that Biden was not informed beforehand and was briefed by White House chief of staff Jeff Zients on media reports. Biden has declined to comment on the case, but he expressed confidence in the New York Police Department and the legal system.
