Monday, November 6, 2023

Donald Trump Hunkers Down in NYC Before Arraignment

Date:

Former US President Donald Trump has arrived in New York City, where he is expected to face criminal charges. The exact charges he will face will be revealed at a hearing scheduled for 14:15 local time (19:15 BST). This marks the first time in history that a US President has been indicted.

Trump has denied any wrongdoing, and tweeted “WITCH HUNT” shortly before his departure from his home in Florida. His plane, painted in red, white and blue with “Trump” written in large letters, was followed by live trackers during the four-hour flight to LaGuardia Airport in Queens.

Upon his arrival, the intersection around Trump Tower – the former president’s Manhattan residence – was filled with onlookers and media crews. Trump waved at the media and a crowd of supporters and protesters before entering the skyscraper under tight security.

He is expected to spend the rest of the day at home with legal advisers, including Todd Blanche, a prominent white-collar criminal defence lawyer and former federal prosecutor. On Tuesday morning, police and court officers as well as Secret Service agents will escort Trump to the Lower Manhattan court complex.

At the office of Manhattan district attorney Alvin Bragg, Trump will surrender and be arraigned in court. This process includes being fingerprinted and possibly having a booking photo taken. His lawyers have already said he will plead not guilty.

Media outlets have lobbied Judge Juan Merchan to allow cameras inside the courtroom, but this has been opposed by Trump’s legal team. Reports suggest there are about 30 counts in his indictment, all linked to a payment made to porn star Stormy Daniels during the 2016 election.

Law enforcement agencies – including the FBI, New York police and court officers, and the Secret Service – are co-ordinating on security for the hearing. New York City Mayor Eric Adams warned any potential “rabble rousers” to control themselves.

President Joe Biden expressed faith in the New York Police Department when asked about potential unrest in the city. Trump is expected to be released on bail and return to his Florida home Mar-a-Lago on Tuesday evening, where he plans to deliver remarks at 20:15 local time.

Donald Trump has arrived in New York City to face criminal charges, marking the first time a US President has been indicted in history. His plane was followed by live trackers during the four-hour flight from West Palm Beach to LaGuardia Airport in Queens, and upon his arrival, the intersection around Trump Tower was buzzing with onlookers and media crews.

Trump waved at the media and a crowd of supporters and protesters before entering the skyscraper under tight security. He is expected to spend the rest of the day at home with legal advisers before being escorted to the Lower Manhattan court complex on Tuesday morning.

At the office of Manhattan district attorney Alvin Bragg, Trump will surrender and be arraigned in court. This process includes being fingerprinted and possibly having a booking photo taken. Reports suggest there are about 30 counts in his indictment, all linked to a payment made to porn star Stormy Daniels during the 2016 election.

Law enforcement agencies are co-ordinating on security for the hearing, and New York City Mayor Eric Adams has warned any potential “rabble rousers” to control themselves. President Joe Biden expressed faith in the New York Police Department when asked about potential unrest in the city.

Trump is expected to plead not guilty at his arraignment and be released on bail. He will then return to his Florida home Mar-a-Lago on Tuesday evening, where he plans to deliver remarks at 20:15 local time. Every moment of this 24-hour trip by the former president is being closely watched nationwide.

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