After being indicted by a Manhattan grand jury last week, former President Donald Trump appeared in a New York City court for an arraignment today for allegedly making hush-money payments to porn star Stormy Daniels during his 2016 presidential campaign. He is the first former president to be indicted in U.S. history.
Upon the unsealing of the indictment, Trump was charged with approximately 34 counts, including felony charges of falsifying business records. The former U.S. president pleaded not guilty to all counts.
Trump entered the courtroom after 1 pm with a somber countenance and was surrounded by his legal team, Secret Service detail and New York law enforcement.
Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg, who earlier this year convicted the Trump organization of tax fraud, is leading the case, which has drawn the wrath of the former president.
Per the indictment, prosecutors allege Trump "employed 'catch and kill' tactics to "bury negative information about him and boost his electoral prospects," and "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."
"The People of the State of New York allege that Donald J. 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," Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg said in a statement. "The trail of money and lies exposes a pattern that, the People allege, violates one of New York’s basic and fundamental business laws."
Following the arraignment, Trump was escorted out of the building without speaking to his supporters. He is no longer in custody.
Anticipating that Majroie Taylor-Greene and other Trump supporters will cause a disturbance in the city, Mayor Eric Adams preemptively issued a warning to the congresswoman and anyone else who planned to cause a scene.
“Although we have no specific threats, people like Marjorie Taylor Greene, who is known to spread misinformation and hate speech, she stated she’s coming to town,” the mayor said at a City Hall press conference. “While you’re in town, be on your best behavior.”
“While there may be some rabble-rousers thinking about coming to our city tomorrow, our message is clear and simple: Control yourselves,” he continued. “New York City’s our home—not a playground for your misplaced anger."
Trump's legal issues are just beginning. He's also facing racketeering and conspiracy charges for attempting to overturn the 2020 presidential election.
