Former US President Donald Trump was driven in a motorcade to a Lower Manhattan court on Tuesday, April 4, where he was arraigned for charges of allegedly paying hush money to porn star Stormy Daniels after an alleged affair in 2016. The charges were brought against Trump by the New York Grand Jury, however, he denies such accusations and plans to plead not guilty to the charges during his arraignment, as stated by his attorney.
Trump agreed to surrender to authorities at the courthouse prior to his arraignment, but he will not be handcuffed or have to take a mugshot. The indictment charges will be read aloud in court during the arraignment, where they will also be unsealed. No video recording is allowed in the courtroom, but a handful of photographers will be permitted to take pictures.
On his way to the courthouse, Trump made a statement on social media expressing his thoughts about his arraignment. He wrote, “Heading to Lower Manhattan, the Courthouse. Seems so SURREAL — WOW, they are going to ARREST ME. Can’t believe this is happening in America. MAGA!” Currently, Supporters of Trump have gathered outside the courthouse causing for extra police guards to be put on duty.
Trump returned home to his Mar-a-lago estate in West Palm Beach Florida following the arriangment and delivered his response to the supporters waiting for him at the estate.
“I never thought anything like this could happen in America,” Trump said. “I never thought it could happen. The only crime that I have committed is to fearlessly defend our nation from those who seek to destroy it.”
Trump denied the allegations and stated how it was constantly mentioned that they had no case against him other than accusations. This whole arraignment has led to massive support for Trump from Republican polls and also a surge of cash donations. However, one group see his response as a sort of negative spectacle.
The Lincoln Project, an anti-Trump group, said in a statement: “Tonight at Mar-a-Lago we saw a paranoid and delusional speech cheered on by fanatical cult members who do not care about democracy and American values. Trump got the circus he wanted. The rest of the GOP has fallen in line.”
