Former President Donald Trump on Tuesday surrendered and was placed under arrest ahead of his arraignment at a New York City court on criminal charges, stated media reports. The former president arrived in Manhattan on Monday afternoon and presented himself before the district attorney's office on Tuesday.
He is likely to be released after he is arraigned in court, after which he would head back to Mar-a-lago, Florida. In the worst case scenario, the court could set conditions on his travel.
The court proceedings will not be allowed to be broadcast. Only photographs will be allowed to be clicked just before the hearing begins. Before he walked into the court, Trump posted on Truth Social: "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!"
The charges stem from an indictment by a grand jury in New York in connection with Trump's alleged role in hush money paid during his 2016 presidential campaign to adult film star Stormy Daniels to silence her allegations of an affair. The allegations have been denied by Trump.
In a recent tweet on his social media platform Truth Social, the former president suggested that the case should be moved out of Manhattan to nearby Staten Island, stating that the venue is "very unfair" with some areas that voted only 1% Republican. Trump further claimed that Staten Island would be a "very fair and secure location for the trial." In the 2020 election, 57 percent of Staten Island voters backed Trump, whereas 42% voted for President Biden.
However, Trump's attorneys have stated that they have no concerns that the presiding judge, Juan Merchan, is biased against their client. Trump reiterated his attacks on Merchan, claiming that he and his family "are well known Trump Haters." This is the second criminal case against Trump in judge Merchan's court. Last yeart, judge Merchan oversaw the trial of alleged tax fraud against the real estate business of the Trump family.
Alina Habba, who represents Trump in several civil matters, spent time with the former president in New York today and said, “He’s in good spirits. Honestly, he’s as he normally would be. He’s ready to go in and do what he needs to do tomorrow.”
The arraignment of a former US President on criminal charges is an unprecedented event.
As Trump faces legal challenges in multiple potential criminal cases, an indictment has been issued against him. Despite this, he remains a leading contender for the 2024 Republican White House nomination, with no US law prohibiting a convicted candidate from running or serving as President, even from behind bars.
Despite being impeached twice by the House of Representatives, Trump was acquitted by the Senate on both occasions. Trump and his aides are now using the indictment as a rallying cry for his supporters, seeking to boost his 2024 re-election campaign.
A Trump Campaign email titled 'Tomorrow, I will be arrested' suggests that the indictment is the result of a "disgraceful witch hunt," and calls on voters to make contributions to his campaign, claiming that the "fate of our Republic" is "on the line." According to Trump's team, he has already raised over $4 million in the 24 hours following the indictment, which they describe as "unprecedented political persecution" and "blatant interference" in the 2024 election against the leading Republican candidate.
WHAT IS THE STORMY DANIELS HUSH MONEY CASE?
Donald Trump is being charged for covering up hush money payments made to ex-pornstar Stephanie Clifford, who is better known by her performer name 'Stormy Daniels'. She claimed that she had a sexual encounter with Trump and accepted $130,000 (Rs 1 crore approx) in exchange for her silence about the alleged encounter. Trump's former lawyer, Michael Cohen, made the payment to her before the 2016 election. Cohen was later imprisoned on several charges, while Trump denied any sexual involvement with Daniels.
In media interviews, Daniels claimed that she met Trump in 2006 at a charity golf tournament, and they had a sexual encounter at his hotel room. Trump's lawyer has denied the allegations. A few days before the 2016 presidential election, Cohen paid $130,000 to Daniels as hush money to keep her from speaking about the affair. Daniels claimed that she was threatened legally and physically to remain silent about the incident.
The payment made to Daniels has landed Trump in trouble because of how it was recorded in his accounts. Trump is accused of falsifying business records by stating that the payment was for legal fees. The payment was made a month before the election, and Mr Trump's critics argued that it could be considered a violation of campaign laws.
In 2018, Cohen pleaded guilty to violating tax laws and campaign finance rules, partly due to his payment to Daniels. He later testified that Trump directed him to make the payment days before the 2016 election and that the president reimbursed him for it. Trump acknowledged the reimbursement but denied any wrongdoing regarding campaign laws.