Donald Trump expected to plead not guilty in New York court
Former US President Donald Trump is preparing to face criminal charges related to a hush money payment made to adult film star Stormy Daniels just before the 2016 presidential election. He denies wrongdoing. This will make him the first ex-US president to face a criminal case.
Mr Trump has been consulting with lawyers at Trump Tower in New York City and his lawyers have already said he will plead not guilty. He is expected to surrender to Manhattan district attorney Alvin Bragg’s office, where he will be arraigned and the charges will be read out.
The payment in question was a $130,000 wire transfer made by Trump’s former attorney, Michael Cohen, to Stormy Daniels. Hush money agreements are not illegal, but the Manhattan prosecutor has been investigating whether business records were falsified in relation to the payment. Trump faces at least one felony charge in the case, and reports suggest there are about 30 counts in his indictment.
Extra security measures have been put in place as authorities are expecting protests outside the Manhattan court on Tuesday. Dozens of police, court officers, and Secret Service agents are expected to escort Trump through the streets of New York to the Lower Manhattan court complex. There are concerns about a “circus-like atmosphere at the arraignment” and Trump’s legal team opposed the media’s request to allow cameras inside the court. However, Judge Juan Merchan ruled that some press photographers will be allowed to take pictures for several minutes before the arraignment formally starts.
Trump’s 2024 White House campaign has raised over $8m since news of the charges against him broke last week, according to his team. There are also plans for a pro-Trump rally near the court on Tuesday by Georgia congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene, but New York officials say they have not seen any influx of protesters to the city in recent days. President Joe Biden has expressed faith in the New York Police Department to handle any potential unrest.
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