Trump indictment live updates: Trump returns to Mar-a-Lago, defending himself in a speech to the MAGA faithful
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- Donald TrumpPresident of the United States from 2017 to 2021
- Stormy DanielsAmerican pornographic actress and director
Former president Donald Trump was arrested on Tuesday.
Trump pleaded not guilty to 34 felony counts of falsifying business records in Manhattan court.
The case comes after a years-long probe into an alleged $130,000 hush-money payment to porn star Stormy Daniels.
Stormy Daniels mocks Trump, saying she'd rather be under her 'sexy man' than 'under arrest'
The adult film actress — who was a central figure in Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg's investigation into a hush money payment made to her — took to Twitter to celebrate after former President Donald Trump was formally charged in New York on Tuesday.
One of Daniels' Tuesday tweets was a zinger that mocked Trump's legal woes, in response to a sexualized insult aimed at her.
"It's definitely more fun being under my sexy man instead of under arrest," she wrote. Daniels was likely referring to her husband, fellow porn actor Barrett Blade.
This was not the first occasion where Daniels, whose real name is Stephanie Clifford, has reacted triumphantly to Trump's indictment.
In March, Daniels also engaged in a Twitter feud with her critics, one of whom accused her of being obsessed with Trump. Daniels responded to the Twitter user, saying that Trump was the one who was obsessed with her.
"He probably watches my movies on repeat which may be why he has so many typos. (Slippery fingers from lube and KFC)," Daniels tweeted.
Shares of a SPAC linked to Trump's Truth Social — which had risen sharply last week — are down 8% after the former president's arrest
Shares of a blank check company linked to former President Donald Trump were hammered just as he was arraigned and arrested on Tuesday.
Nasdaq-listed Digital World Acquisition Corp — a special purpose acquisition company, or SPAC, planning to merge with Truth Social holding company Trump Media and Technology Group — closed 8% lower at $14.03 on Tuesday after it announced a delay in filing financial statements.
The stock's performance on Tuesday is a sharp reversal from Friday when Digital World's share prices soared 11%, post Trump's formal indictment. Friday's rally could have been driven by speculation that the indictment would prove positive for Trump Media and Technology Group's business, Insider's Matthew Fox reported Friday.
Since his indictment, Trump has been active on Truth Social, posting more than a dozen times since his arrest on Tuesday.
On Tuesday, the former president posted 14 times on TruthSocial after his arraignment, criticizing the Manhattan district attorney's case against him and sharing the remarks he gave in the evening at his Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida. He also asked supporters to donate to his 2024 campaign, and reposted opinions of pundits who support him.
There was little love in New York for Trump, but at home at Mar-a-Lago in Florida, the MAGA faithful rallied around him
Former President Donald Trump's Mar-a-Lago residence was teeming with his fans and allies as he gave a defiant speech just hours after his arraignment in New York.
Trump was very much on home ground in Florida — surrounded by staunch supporters at a campaign-style event held in Mar-a-Lago's gilded ballroom. There, he launched into a rambling speech about the various investigations he's facing, while verbally attacking Judge Juan Merchan, who is presiding over his case in Manhattan.
This, in contrast to the small group of supporters that showed up for the former president in New York, where the pro-Trump crowd was far outnumbered by anti-Trump protesters.
From Freedom Caucus lawmakers to online provocateurs and longtime Trump friends, here's the who's who of the GOP's far-right flank who showed up for Trump.
Donald Trump isn't the first Trump to get arrested. His father Fred was arrested twice, reports say — once at a Ku Klux Klan riot, and another time over building code violations.
Former President Donald Trump was indicted on Thursday and arraigned in New York on Tuesday, making him the first US president to be charged with a crime.
However, he's not the first person in his family to be arrested, according to archived news reports.
His father, real estate mogul Fred Trump, was detained by the police twice: Once in 1927 and another time in 1976, per newspaper articles published in those years.
Fred Trump was first arrested in 1927 during a Ku Klux Klan riot in Queens on Memorial Day, per The New York Times.
It's unclear in the report what role he played in the riot. "Fred Trump of 175-24 Devonshire Road, Jamaica, was discharged," is all The Times mentioned of his name.
Some 50 years later, the older Trump was also arrested again in Maryland for not complying with housing code violations, according to a 1976 report by The Washington Post's Karen DeYoung.
See the moment in the hearing transcript where Judge Juan Merchan warned Trump not to 'incite violence,' 'create civil unrest,' 'or jeopardize the safety or well-being of any individuals'
During his arraignment in Manhattan on Tuesday, Judge Juan Merchan warned Trump not to "incite violence or civil unrest," per a copy of the court hearing transcript obtained by Insider.
"Please refrain from making comments or engaging in conduct that has the potential to incite violence, create civil unrest, or jeopardize the safety or well-being of any individuals," Merchan said.
He added that while he would not issue a gag order on Trump, the former president should not "engage in words or conduct that jeopardizes the rule of law."
A judge warned Trump about comments that could 'jeopardize the safety or well-being' of others. 6 hours later, he attacked the judge, the judge's wife, and the judge's daughter.
Former President Donald Trump on Tuesday verbally attacked the family of the judge overseeing his indictment in Manhattan, hours after the same judge warned him not to make remarks that could endanger others.
"This is where we are right now. I have a Trump-hating judge, with a Trump-hating wife and family, whose daughter worked for Kamala Harris and now receives money from the Biden-Harris campaign," Trump said, referring to Judge Juan Merchan.
Trump did not provide substantiation for the claims he made about Merchan and his family.
Trump's comments blasting Merchan came six hours after Merchan warned the former president not to make comments likely to "jeopardize the safety or well-being of any individuals."
"Please refrain from making comments or engaging in conduct that has the potential to incite violence, create civil unrest, or jeopardize the safety or well-being of any individuals," Merchan told Trump's lawyers on Tuesday.
Prosecutors allege that Trump met with Michael Cohen in the Oval Office to discuss Cohen's repayment following Stormy Daniels payout
Former President Donald Trump and his one-time fixer, Michael Cohen, met in the White House Oval Office to discuss how the lawyer would be reimbursed after he paid adult film actress Stormy Daniels $130,000, according to a statement of facts released by Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg.
Trump was formally arraigned in Manhattan on Tuesday related to an investigation into hush-money payments made ahead of the 2016 election. Trump is the first president to ever face criminal charges. He has denied the allegations and pleaded not guilty to 34 counts of falsifying business records.
According to the document, released on Tuesday, the Chief Financial Officer for the Trump Organization agreed to repay Cohen, referred to as "Lawyer A," agreed to repay Cohen $420,000 in installments of $35,000 over 12 months.
Trump and Cohen then met in the Oval Office at some point in February 2017 to confirm this payment arrangement, the district attorney said in the documents. The documents do not specify whether or not Trump knew about what he was reimbursing Cohen for.
Trump spent the Saturday before his indictment 'blowing off steam' by himself on his driving range: report
The New York Times on Tuesday reported that in the days ahead of the spectacle, Trump tried to appear cheerful and at ease among those close him, who said in reality, he seemed "pensive" and even "subdued."
The Times report cited half a dozen people close to Trump who interacted with him in the days leading up to his self-surrender. Sources told the outlet that despite his outward appearances, the former president seemed to be disguising his stress about the most immediate legal troubles he is facing.
Trump spent Saturday at Trump International Golf Club in West Palm Beach, Florida, where he often enjoys a a round before eating lunch at the club. But over the weekend — just days before he flew to New York for the hearing — Trump instead took his time at the driving range, according to the Times.
Following his eventual lunch, Trump returned to the driving range, accompanied by his secret service, where he hit ball after ball for about 10 minutes, according to the Times, which cited an onlooker who described the scene as the former president "blowing off steam."
Trump rallies supporters in campaign-style speech after first-ever arraignment of an ex-president: 'The only crime that I've committed is to fiercely defend our nation'
Former President Donald Trump on Tuesday defiantly addressed his supporters at the grand ballroom of his private Mar-a-Lago Club, just hours after hearing the charges against him in court in Manhattan.
The rambling, 27-minute speech, Trump called the charges against him "a persecution, not an investigation" and are evidence the country "is going to hell," adding that the charges should be dropped immediately.
"These radical left lunatics want to interfere with our elections by using law enforcement we can't let that happen," Trump said. "With all of this being said, and with a very dark cloud over our beloved country I have no doubt nevertheless, that we will make America great again."
Donald Trump's arraignment: key takeaways include 2 warnings from the judge that he behave himself
On Tuesday, former President Donald Trump sat in custody — meaning he was not free to leave — at a defense table in the front of a Manhattan courtroom, where he pleaded not guilty to a lengthy felony indictment.
Arguably, this is the top takeaway from the dramatic hour-long proceeding.
But there were other moments of import, including two stern warnings Trump was given by New York Supreme Court Justice Juan Merchan, who urged the former president to behave himself both online and in the courtroom.
Courtroom sketches capture former President Donald Trump's arraignment after cameras, phones, and electronics were banned at the start of the proceedings
Courtroom sketches captured the arraignment of former President Donald Trump after cameras, phones, and electronics were banned at the start of the proceedings on Tuesday.
Though cameras swarmed outside the courtroom where Trump was arraigned, public access to the hearing was limited.
Reporters for a few publications were let in through the doors, but they were asked to leave shortly after 2 p.m., before proceedings kicked off.
What a day for a wedding
A couple getting married at Manhattan's courthouse had their big day interrupted by some unexpected chaos: former US president Donald Trump's arraignment.
The historic event brought hoards of protestors, politicians, and media to the area, creating a circus that few would have anticipated on their wedding day.
High school sweethearts Chandler Dean, a speechwriter at West Wing Writers, and Carolina Treviño, a product manager at Planned Parenthood, planned to get legally married at the Manhattan courts on Tuesday before their formal ceremony later this month.
Dean said that he and his fiancée were "dumbfounded by the coincidence" when they realized that former president Donald Trump's appointment at the courthouse was the same day as theirs.
Judge Merchan said Trump needs to appear in person for his next hearing.
Former President Donald Trump's lawyer asked the judge overseeing his Manhattan criminal case during Tuesday's arraignment if he really needs to come to New York again for the next hearing.
But New York Supreme Court Justice Juan Merchan told the Trump lawyers that he expects that "all other defendants to appear in court, even high profile defendants" and would not be making an exception for the former president.
Trump 'should have smiled,' expert says
Former President Donald Trump "should have smiled" for news cameras on Tuesday when he surrendered for his arrest and appeared for his arraignment in New York City, a crisis management expert told Insider.
Instead, the former president bordered on looking nervous to exhausted in photos from the courthouse that will live on, said Max Marcucci, a senior vice president at the crisis firm Levick. Images that emerged don't project his "strongman personality" or energy, he said, and you'd expect someone to appear energetic if they are defiant and wanting to state their case.
"He called Jeb Bush 'low energy,'" said Marcucci, who has advised clients on court appearances. "His photos from his appearance in court were low energy. They did not do what I think they could have done in portraying him as confident and self-assured."
Trump's indictment doesn't just depend on Michael Cohen
Prosecutors originally worried that the Trump indictment rested solely on his former fixer, Michael Cohen, but there's more to it than that.
Prosecutors have zeroed in on other instances beyond Stormy Daniels. An accompanying statement of facts underlines how the indictment rests on the core of a so-called "Catch and Kill" scheme that Trump allegedly concocted with David Pecker, who was at the time the publisher of the National Enquirer. Prosecutors claim the pair worked together to find a way to effectively silence people who claimed to have embarrassing stories about Trump by paying them off through side deals.
'This is what banana republics do'
Congressional Republicans floored by Donald Trump facing 34 felony charges in a Manhattan courtroom declared that America is doomed if the embattled former president is forced to stand trial.
Sen. Marco Rubio on Monday shared some thoughts about the merits of the case brought against the twice-impeached former president that included talk of misdemeanors and expired statutes of limitations.
After sleeping on it, the Florida Republican and former 2016 presidential candidate got back on Twitter with a more dire assessment.
"Today is a bad day for all of us & we are all going to regret it for a very long time," Rubio captioned a 98-second video in which he warned that federal prosecutors now have carte blanche to go after political opponents.
Rep. August Pfluger told Fox News that prosecuting polarizing political leaders is typical in "banana republics" and "failed states." But not in America.
House Republicans vow to avenge Trump indictment
Watching Donald Trump get hit with 34 felony counts on Tuesday sent enraged House Republicans in search of ways they might wreak vengeance on those who dare defy their leading candidate for 2024.
Rep. Ronny Jackson lashed out at Bragg on social media, accusing the long-time federal prosecutor of being a "spineless weasel" orchestrating a "dangerous partisan political stunt."
"Hope he enjoys his fifteen minutes of fame, because Congress will be coming after him when this is done!" the former White House physician and now Texas Republican wrote on Twitter.
Trump said 9 words during his arraignment hearing
Former president Donald Trump uttered just nine words at the Manhattan Criminal Courthouse on Tuesday, where he was indicted on dozens of charges related to falsifying business records.
In court, Trump sat with his counsel and spoke as little as possible, pleading not guilty to the charges.
Lawyer says Trump didn't intend to threaten prosecutor with social media post
The judge overseeing the New York case against former President Donald Trump has declined to impose a gag order on the defendant while expressing concern about his use of social media, where the Republican has warned of "death and destruction" over his prosecution and directly attacked the man in charge of it.
Speaking to reporters, Joe Tacopina, an attorney for Trump, acknowledged that Judge Juan M. Merchan had discussed the former president's use of social media. But he insisted that Merchan, who also oversaw the tax fraud case involving the Trump Organization, did not "admonish" the defendant, whose posts, Tacopina argued, had been taken out of context.
On his own social network, Truth Social, Trump had posted a news story, for example, that showed him wielding a baseball bat next to a photo of Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg.
Tacopina, who previously acknowledged that Trump's posts about the case were "ill-advised," argued that the post was not meant to constitute a threat from the former president. "That is a picture of him showing off an American-made bat," he said.
Trump's trial may take place at a pivotal time in his campaign
Donald Trump could be on trial in New York just weeks before the 2024 Iowa caucuses, illustrating the headaches that will likely come as the former president tries to juggle court appearances with his political future.
Manhattan prosecutors told Judge Juan Merchan on Tuesday that they would like to hold a trial in January 2024 on charges that Trump falsified business recordsas a way to cover up alleged hush money schemes.
By December, the 2024 GOP presidential race will be nearing its peak in the final stretch before the Iowa caucuses. Traditionally, candidates stump across Iowa and other early states in a final stretch before the holiday season.
A final date has not yet been selected, but it's expected the 2024 caucuses will be in early February.
Prosecutors are worried about Trump's rhetoric
New York prosecutors told a judge Tuesday that they're deeply concerned about the rhetoric former President Donald Trump has used on social media as he faced his indictment.
The former president has repeatedly accused Bragg of bringing a politically motivated case against him, threatened "death and destruction" if he was indicted, and posted — and later deleted — a composite photo showing him swinging a baseball bat in Bragg's direction.
Trump's lawyers pushed back on prosecutors' statements, saying that New York Supreme Court Justice Juan Merchan, who is overseeing the proceedings, did not specifically request that Trump not use inflammatory language but that "everybody involved refrain from using language that is inappropriate."
The Manhattan DA alleged that Trump orchestrated an unlawful scheme to influence the 2016 election.
Trump sought to influence the 2016 presidential election by paying off two women who alleged they had affairs with him to secure their silence, according to a statement of facts released by Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg on Tuesday.
In the brief, prosecutors described that Trump "repeatedly and fraudulently falsified New York business records to conceal criminal conduct that hid damaging information from the voting public during the 2016 presidential election."
Trump and others "orchestrated" an "unlawful scheme" to suppress negative information about him during his 2016 campaign by violating election laws and falsifying business records, the brief says.
Meanwhile, Trump awaits several other investigations.
All in all, Trump is the subject of at least four major investigations into wrongdoing relating to his handling of White House documents, the election, the insurrection, and his finances.
In addition to Trump's possible role in a hush-money payment to Stormy Daniels in 2016, a state prosecutor in Georgia is weighing if Trump tried to overturn the 2020 election results in that state. The Justice Department is also looking into the 2020 election as well as Trump's possible mishandling of classified documents.
Meanwhile, a rape claim against the former president is headed for trial in April, and Trump is fighting a grab-bag of other lawsuits that could financially harm his international real estate and golf resort empire.
Some of his legal battles are already over. In December, Trump's real estate company was convicted in state court in Manhattan for a C-Suite-wide payroll tax-dodge scheme, a dishonor that came with felony status and a $1.6 million fine.
Keep up to date on the latest of Trump's legal travails with this guide to the ever-evolving Trump docket.
Manhattan DA Alvin Bragg holds news conference following Trump arraignment
Bragg spoke shortly after the arraignment hearing about the charges.
"That is exactly what this case is about: 34 false statements made to cover up other crimes," Bragg said after the hearing. "These are felony crimes in New York state no matter who you are. We cannot and will not normalize serious criminal conduct."
Trump is now leaving Manhattan
Trump will now fly back to Florida, where he's expected to make remarks to his supporters at Mar-a-Lago.
He was released on his own recognizance after the approximately one-hour arraignment hearing.
Supporters have already started gathering outside Mar-a-Lago, awaiting Trump's return.
Read the indictment against Donald Trump
A grand jury indicted former President Donald Trump on nearly three dozen felony charges in connection to a $130,000 hush-money payment to the adult film actress Stormy Daniels.
See a full list of the allegations against the former president here.
Trump lawyers: "The rule of law died in this country"
Trump's attorneys slammed the 34-felony-count indictment against him, saying he was only charged because of his notoriety.
"Today's unsealing of this indictment shows that the rule of law died in this country," Trump lawyer Joe Tacopina told reporters. "While everyone is not above the law, no one is below it either and if this man's name was not Donald J Trump there's no scenario where we'd all be here today."
Fellow Trump attorney Todd Blanche said the former president is "frustrated, he's upset. But I'll tell you what, he's motivated but it's not going to stop him or slow him down."
Trump has left the courtroom
The former president uttered "Not guilty" when asked by a judge how he pleaded during his brief court appearance.
Trump didn't speak to reporters as he left.
Trump pleads not guilty to 34 felonies counts
Donald Trump pleaded not guilty during his court appearance, according to multiple media reporters.
Reuters reported Trump faces 34 felony counts of falsifying business records.
The Trump campaign's fake mugshot T-shirt added 2 inches to his height
Immediately following Donald Trump's arrest in Manhattan on Tuesday, his campaign began promoting a new T-shirt featuring a mugshot of the former president emblazoned with the phrase "NOT GUILTY."
But the mugshot isn't real. And neither is Trump's height, as depicted by the T-shirt.
First images show Donald Trump sitting in court during his arraignment
Trump is currently being arraigned on criminal charges in a Manhattan courthouse.
No one held the door for Trump as he walked into court
A scowling Trump was spotted on live TV walking through a door in the Manhattan courthouse.
Unlike during his time as president, no one held the door for him.
Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez celebrates Marjorie Taylor Greene getting heckled in New York City at a pro-Trump rally
Democratic Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez of New York celebrated a report that her far-right colleague from Georgia, Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, was heckled Tuesday in New York City.
"Welcome to NYC!," Ocasio-Cortez tweeted with a Statue of Liberty emoji. "Where there are still social consequences for shameless bigotry"
Greene was in the city to speak at a pro-Donald Trump rally ahead of the former president being arraigned, but her speech lasted less than 10 minutes before she quickly left the throng of reporters.
White House says Biden isn't focusing on Trump's criminal case
White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre declined to comment on Trump's arrest and pending arraignment on criminal charges.
"We're just not going to comment specifically on the case itself," Jean-Pierre told reporters Tuesday afternoon.
As for President Biden, Jean-Pierre said Trump's legal woes were "not his focus for today."
Donald Trump is now in custody
Donald Trump surrendered into the custody of the Manhattan district attorney's office at 1:22 p.m. on Tuesday.
He will remain under arrest until mid-afternoon, when he'll enter a plea of "not guilty" and a judge will let him go home.
Trump is headed to his arraignment along with police and Secret Service agents
Donald Trump has left Trump Tower to a waiting caravan of vehicles on Manhattan's 56th Street. He emerged from the building under a golden awning to a contingent of NYPD, FDNY, and Secret Service vehicles that had been screened by police dogs.
As he stepped out, he held up a fist to onlookers.
The former president will now drive downtown to 100 Centre Street for his historic arraignment.
Marjorie Taylor Greene's rally speech lasts less than 10 minutes
Georgia GOP Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene's rally speech lasted less than 10 minutes in the park outside the lower Manhattan courthouse where Donald Trump is set to be arraigned later Tuesday.
Greene used a megaphone during her less speech at the planned rally where the media outnumbered backers of Trump.
"The government has been weaponized against [Trump]," Greene told the swarm of press and Trump supporters before her. "I am here to protest, use my voice and take a stand. Every American should take a stand."
Greene called Trump an "innocent man," saying, "We cannot tolerate this injustice in the United States of America."
The rally to support Trump then quickly devolved into a political demonstration featuring Greene's usual talking points against Democrats.
"Democrats are the party of violence," Greene said as she called the Republican Party "the party of peace."
As Greene left the park after the minutes-long speech, she was rushed away from the rally amid a crush of reporters and demonstrators, as people could be heard shouting for her to "get the fuck out of my city!"
Anti-Trump protesters outnumbered his supporters outside the courthouse
The protesters chanted "Lock him up!"
Trump, in an all-caps rant, wants the trial moved to Staten Island where more of his voters live
In an all-caps message posted online before his arraignment, Donald Trump railed against his upcoming criminal case, saying it wouldn't be fair because Manhattan voters didn't support him.
"VERY UNFAIR VENUE, WITH SOME AREAS THAT VOTED 1% REPUBLICAN," the former US president wrote on his TruthSocial website. "THIS CASE SHOULD BE MOVED TO NEARBY STATEN ISLAND - WOULD BE A VERY FAIR AND SECURE LOCATION FOR THE TRIAL."
Staten Island was the only New York City borough to have a majority of voters support Trump in the 2020 election.
Demonstrators outnumbered by reporters before Trump's arraignment
Pro-Trump supporters, a man dressed in a Donald Trump costume, and serial liar George Santos were among the small crowd gathering at lower Manhattan's Collect Pond Park.
Supporters and spectators started gathering at the park Tuesday morning, which is near the Manhattan Criminal Court where former President Donald Trump will be arraigned this afternoon. But reporters and journalists vastly outnumbered the demonstrators Tuesday morning.
Santos appeared on the pro-Trump side of Collect Pond Park accompanied by a small entourage and was immediately swarmed by a crush of cameras and press. Santos repeated "I'm here to support the President" and then left the park after about 5 minutes of being completely surrounded by reporters and bystanders jeering at him.
The park will be the site of a 10:30 a.m. pro-Trump rally hosted by The New York Young Republicans and Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene.
Trump's Secret Service agents would accompany him if he went to jail, retired US judge says
Secret Service agents would accompany former President Donald Trump if he went to jail, a retired US judge told Sky News.
Joseph Cosgrove, formerly of the Court of Common Pleas of the 11th Judicial District in Pennsylvania and the Pennsylvania Commonwealth Court, said agents would follow him to jail for his protection.
"Let's assume the worst for Mr Trump: if he were sentenced to some sort of confinement, he would be confined with his secret service agents," Cosgrove said.
Former presidents are entitled to Secret Service protection for life under federal law.
Former Secret Service officials told Insider's Robin Bravender and Dave Levinthal last November that if Trump went to prison for any reason Secret Service agents would very likely follow him, though they said an agent wouldn't end up in a cell with him.
Experts say that Trump is unlikely to face any jail time if he is convicted, and it is more likely that he will be subjected to a fine, community service, or probation.
This is the scene outside the court, as Trump is due to be arraigned
More than 100 reporters stood in line outside of Manhattan Criminal Court at 6:30 a.m. on Tuesday.
Trump is expected to be arraigned in the afternoon, but journalists began gathering at 100 Centre Street by 2:45 p.m. on Monday to secure one of the limited seats inside the courtroom.
Some outlets hired people to wait in the line overnight so reporters could catch a few hours rest before returning early Tuesday morning.
The New York Supreme Court judge overseeing Tuesday's hearing noted the historic nature of the proceedings in a Monday court order.
"That this indictment involves a matter of monumental significance cannot possibly be disputed. Never in the history of the United States has a sitting or past President been indicted on criminal charges," Judge Juan Merchan wrote.
He went on to say that Trump's arraignment has "generated unparalleled public interest and media attention."
While Merchan acknowledged the importance of the press, he ruled against broadcasting the proceedings live after Trump's lawyers argued that doing so would create a "circus-like atmosphere."
Merchan also ruled that no electronic devices would be allowed inside the courtroom. Five pool photographers will be permitted to take still photos from the jury box for a limited time before the proceedings, and the use of cameras will be permitted in the hallways.
Nearby the courthouse, Trump supporters are expected to start gathering by 10:30 a.m.
The New York Young Republicans are holding a pro-Trump rally at lower Manhattan's Collect Pond Park, which is adjacent to the courthouse.
Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene has publicized the event, calling for those in attendance to wear MAGA hats.
Hours from his own arraignment, Trump says Manhattan DA Alvin Bragg should 'INDICT HIMSELF'
On the eve of his arraignment in New York, former President Donald Trump took to social media to declare that Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg should "INDICT HIMSELF."
Trump, who was indicted on Thursday and is expected to surrender on April 4, lashed out at Bragg in a Truth Social post on Monday.
"Wow! District Attorney Bragg just illegally LEAKED the various points, and complete information, on the pathetic Indictment against me," Trump wrote on Monday.
"Now, if he wants to really clean up his reputation, he will do the honorable thing and, as District Attorney, INDICT HIMSELF," added Trump.
Trump did not elaborate on why he thought Bragg leaked any information from the sealed indictment and did not provide any evidence to prove his claim.
Tough times in the Trump press line
An Associated Press journalist found an ingenious way to work while waiting in line to secure a press seat at former President Donald Trump's arraignment.
Bobby Calvan put an old pizza box on top of a rusty garbage can to create a makeshift desk, per a tweet by his colleague Mike Sisak, also an AP reporter.
Trump is slated to be arraigned tomorrow in New York. Calvan did not immediately respond to Insider's request for comment.
Trump lawyer Joe Tacopina warns that we might be on the 'eve of destruction' the night before Trump's arraignment
Joe Tacopina, a lawyer for former President Donald Trump, likened the night before Trump's arraignment to the "eve of destruction."
In an interview on Monday on Fox News, Tacopina — who is representing Trump in New York — said he could not believe that the ex-president was going to be arraigned on Tuesday.
"What's extraordinary is that tomorrow is actually happening, that's what's extraordinary. I just cannot believe it, I think we're on the eve of destruction. It's just like surreal to me," Tacopina said.
Tacopina's words on Fox News were similar to the ominous sentiment expressed in Trump's previous Truth Social posts. On March 23, Trump predicted that there would be "death & destruction" if he is indicted.
Trump on March 18 also called on his followers to protest" and "take our nation back," echoing his own rhetoric before the January 6 Capitol riot.
The arraignment will not be broadcast live, judge rules
New York Supreme Court Judge Juan Merchan has rejected the media's request to allow cameras for Trump's arraignment Tuesday.
A small number of photographers will be allowed to take pictures before the arraignment begins, Merchan ruled Monday night.
Earlier on Monday, attorneys for Trump said they don't want cameras in the courtroom because it will "create a circus-like atmosphere."
The supporters will make their way downtown for a protest this evening
Taisha Parrot, a researcher from Jamaica, Queens, came out with her Trump flag on high, sporting an "ULTRA MAGA" baseball cap.
She came out for "two main reasons: one to support Trump and two, to protest what Alvin Bragg is doing."
"The only reason they are doing this is because he's ahead in the polls," she said. "He's gotten higher in the polls as a result of this."
She said she and a couple of other protesters were on their way downtown to another protest by the New York Republican Latinos later tonight.
Supporters are flying in to support Trump
Arlinda Rainey, 52, and her mother, 75-year-old Marjorie Westerfield flew all the way from Central Kentucky to support Trump as he arrived in New York City to face a historic indictment.
The pair spent a combined $6,000 for airfare and accommodations in the big city.
"I feel like they are doing him wrong," Special Education teacher, Raniey said. "I feel like we were safer with him as president."
Raniey said she didn't care much for New York City.
"Too many people."
The ladies took shelter in an atrium area in Trump Tower as the former presidents motorcade rolled down 56th street to the side entrance.
"We're just here to show support and to let him know to keep going strong," Westerfield said.
Trump has arrived at Trump Tower
Trump arrived to Trump Tower just after 4 p.m. ET to a small group of supporters lining Madison Avenue.
He's expected to stay the night in Manhattan before his court appearance Tuesday.
Reporters are already lining up to get a chance to attend Trump's public arraignment
Police brace for protests by erecting barricades and closing streets
NYPD erected barricades in front of Trump Tower and the courthouse in preparation for potential protests.
An NYPD spokesperson told Insider there are "no current credible threats" to the city.
Trump's legal team said cameras in the courtroom would cause a 'circus-like atmosphere.'
The former president's lawyers say they want to avoid "a circus-like atmosphere" as Trump is arraigned in a Manhattan criminal court.
Trump himself has called for mass protests outside on social media.
The NYC park where Marjorie Taylor Greene is hosting the rally for Trump used to be an open sewer the city tried to fill in with land but it sunk (and stunk)
Hours before former President Donald Trump plans to surrender to the Manhattan District Attorney Tuesday, Georgia Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene will join a rally in New York City's Collect Pond Park to protest the former president's indictment.
But the park — just steps outside of the DA's office in downtown Manhattan — wasn't always the patch of greenery inside New York's concrete jungle. The small area was once a pond filled with drinking water that later became a disgusting, stinky open sewer and the center of a gang-filled slum where mobsters like Lucky Luciano and Al Capone got their start.
The only way you'll see Donald Trump's mugshot is if someone leaks it or he shares it himself
The indicted former US president will be fingerprinted and will pose for a mugshot ahead of his New York City courtroom arraignment on Tuesday, but the photograph won't be made public unless it is leaked or released by Trump himself.
Under New York law, mugshots are not public records.
Trump has left Florida on his jet before his arraignment on Tuesday
Donald Trump's jet departed from Florida Monday afternoon, according to an Instagram account tracking its movements.
The 757 airliner — which is decked out with the word "Trump" painted on it — left West Palm Beach.
Trump was expected to leave Florida on Monday before his arraignment in Manhattan court on Tuesday.
Trump announces Mar-a-Lago speech hours after Tuesday arraignment
Former President Donald Trump announced Sunday that he would be speaking at his Palm Beach club Mar-a-Lago Tuesday evening at 8:15 p.m. — hours after his arraignment in New York.
Trump is scheduled to be arraigned Tuesday afternoon. Then, he will be flying into New York on Monday night to voluntarily surrender himself on Tuesday, ahead of his appearance before a judge.
It's pretty much a certainty that Trump will remain free afterward, probably without any bail set at all, Insider's Laura Italiano reported.
Under New York's recently changed progressive bail laws, defendants can be ordered held on bail only if the judge finds that they are a flight risk.
John Bolton says if Manhattan DA case flops, it could be 'rocket fuel' for the former president
Former national security advisor John Bolton said that if the Manhattan district attorney squanders Donald Trump's criminal case, it could be "rocket fuel" for the former president's campaign.
"I'm not worried about Alvin Bragg hurting Donald Trump. I'm worried about Alvin Bragg benefiting Donald Trump," Bolton told CBS' "Face the Nation" on Sunday, referring to the DA overseeing the ex-president's criminal case.
Chris Christie says the 'bravado from the Trump camp' toward the indictment 'is baloney' as the former president's arraignment approaches
Former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie said the "bravado" displayed by former President Donald Trump after being indicted by a Manhattan grand jury is "baloney."
Speaking on a panel on Sunday's "This Week" on ABC News, Christie said he was mostly reserving commentary on the content of the indictment because he wanted to read it first, but then proceeded to offer several minutes of commentary.
A grand jury indicted Trump last week after an investigation by Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Brag into hush money paid to adult film actress Stormy Daniels prior to the 2016 election.
Trump lawyer Joe Tacopina says his client has a 'right to have an issue with everything' after Trump goes after Manhattan judge
Joe Tacopina, an attorney for Donald Trump, said the former president has a "right to have an issue with everything" after Trump claimed a judge involved in his Manhattan criminal case was biased against him.
Tacopina echoed Trump's claims that a grand jury indictment handed down last week in Manhattan was a form of political persecution, but he stopped short of saying that he would request a different judge.
"Had he not been running for the presidency, he would not have been indicted," Tacopina said of Trump on CNN's "State of the Union" on Sunday. "We are going to take the indictment, evaluate all our legal options, and pursue every one most vigorously."
Former Arkansas GOP Gov. Asa Hutchinson announces run for president, says Trump should 'step aside' from the race after his indictment
Former Republican Gov. Asa Hutchinson of Arkansas formally announced that his is running for president on Sunday.
Just two days earlier, on Friday, Hutchinson said former President Donald Trump should "step aside" from the 2024 presidential race after his indictment by the Manhattan District Attorney's Office.
During an appearance on Fox Business, Hutchinson pointed to the integrity of serving in elected office as he spoke of the former president's criminal inquiry.
"When a public official is indicted, I think with regard to the office, the office is more important than the person and they should step aside. That standard should apply here. It is a distraction," Hutchinson said on the network.
Trump surges to a 26-point lead over Ron DeSantis in the 2024 GOP presidential primary post-indictment: poll
Former President Donald Trump was already the front-runner among Republicans in the 2024 race for the White House, edging out a likely but yet-to-be-announced contender in Gov. Ron DeSantis of Florida.
But with his indictment by a Manhattan grand jury, Trump has surged ahead in a head-to-head matchup against DeSantis in a new Yahoo News/YouGov poll, beating the Sunshine State politician by 26 percentage points among registered Republican voters and Independents who lean Republican.
In the poll, 57% of those asked said they would vote for Trump, while 31% indicated that they would back DeSantis, which was one of the first surveys to be conducted after Thursday's indictment.
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Trump's legal team may ask to move his criminal trial from Manhattan to more conservative-leaning Staten Island, report says
Former President Donald Trump's defense team is considering asking to move his criminal trial to more conservative-leaning Staten Island, fearing that the former president wouldn't be able to receive a fair trial in Manhattan, according to Bloomberg.
Trump's attorneys have not yet determined their final course of action on the matter, however, and are looking to first review the charges in the indictment from Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg Jr., an unnamed source told the news agency.
The request has the veneer of politics, as Manhattan — or New York County — is one of the most Democratic-heavy jurisdictions in the country. Staten Island, meanwhile, has long been the most conservative of New York City's give boroughs.
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Trump Organization employees were 'really happy' about Trump's indictment, Maggie Haberman says
New York Times reporter Maggie Haberman on Friday said several Trump Organization employees texted her expressing their happiness over former President Donald Trump's indictment by the Manhattan District Attorney's office in connection with a hush money payment made to the adult film actress Stormy Daniels.
After a Manhattan grand jury voted to indict Trump, Haberman, who wrote the book "Confidence Man" and is widely seen as the most prominent chronicler of the former president's tenure in the White House, said during a panel interview on CNN's "This Morning" that she began receiving messages from employees soon after news broke of his indictment.
"There is a long trail of people who feel burned in one way or another by Donald Trump. We certainly saw that in the White House," she said. "This was a pattern that existed for decades before the Trump Organization."
Michael Cohen's lawyer says case against Trump is 'very solid' and jurors only need ask themselves if Trump had 'any political motivation' for the Stormy Daniels payment
Michael Cohen's attorney believes the criminal case against Donald Trump in the Manhattan District Attorney's investigation is "very solid" though it's "not going to be an easy case."
Cohen, Trump's longtime political fixer turned political adversary, is expected to be a "principal witness" in the case if it goes to trial, attorney Lanny Davis told NBC's