The 45th commander-in-chief raised a fist in defiance as he arrived, flanked by NYPD and Secret Service after supporters and protesters had earlier clashed in the street. But inside the court-room he cut a deflated figure as he was warned by a judge against social media posts that could inflame or cause civil unrest.
A 16-page indictment revealed new details of the charges; prosecutors say he:
Broke election laws through a scheme to suppress negative information about him
Hid multiple payoffs to porn star Stormy Daniels and ex-Playboy model Karen McDougal
Hid payoffs to a Trump Tower doorman who claimed Trump had an illegitimate child
Lied "again and again" to conceal criminal conduct
"No matter who you are, we cannot and will not normalise serious criminal conduct," said Manhattan district attorney Alvin Bragg.
On his way from Trump Tower to make history, he communicated his anger at the process in real time. "WOW, they are going to ARREST ME. Can't believe this is happening in America. MAGA!" he posted on Truth Social from his eight-car motorcade.
The ex-president surrendered to the office of Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg upon arrival at the court at 1.24pm. He was arrested and fingerprinted in a room on the seventh floor of the courthouse building. He avoided the ignominy of being handcuffed and paraded before cameras or having his mugshot taken.
Mr Trump was then taken to a courtroom on the 15th floor of the Manhattan court. Photographers allowed into court by Judge Juan Merchan snapped images before the hearing began in private.
"Not guilty," the 76-year-old said when asked how he pleaded.
Diese Geschichte stammt aus der April 05, 2023-Ausgabe von The Independent.
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