Former President Donald Trump surrendered at the Manhattan District Attorney’s Office Tuesday afternoon to face unprecedented criminal charges tied to the Stormy Daniels “hush money” payment.
Trump, 76, defiantly raised his fist as he emerged from his Trump Tower residence in Midtown shortly after 1 p.m. before he was escorted downtown via a motorcade — en route to becoming the first ever US president to be criminally prosecuted.
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“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!” he posted on Truth Social just moments before turning himself in.
Flanked by Secret Service, the 45th president — wearing his signature dark suit and red tie — flashed a wave before strolling into the DA’s office ahead of his scheduled 2:15 p.m. arraignment in Manhattan Supreme Court.
Unlike most defendants, Trump was booked at the courthouse — and not a police precinct. Sources told ABC News the ex-president had his fingerprints taken just after 2 p.m.
Trump, however, may avoid having his mugshot taken, sources said in the lead up.
Donald Trump raised his fist as he left Trump Tower just after 1 p.m. Tuesday en route to the Manhattan DA’s office.Daniel William McKnightDonald Trump flashed a wave as he arrived ahead of his arraignment flanked by Secret Service agents.Stephen Yang for NY PostTrump was posting from his motorcade before arriving at the courthouse.
Trump’s attorney, Joe Tacopina, has already said he will enter a “not guilty” plea when his historic hearing get underway.
Unlike Trump’s journey to the courthouse — which was tracked by numerous helicopters and carried live on cable TV — his hearing won’t be broadcast to the masses, the judge in the case ruled on Monday night.
Judge Juan Merchan, however, ruled that a handful of photographers could take photos of the proceedings — despite Trump’s lawyers requesting that cameras be banned altogether.
Outside the court, Trump’s surrender created a spectacle – even by his standards.
Hundreds of protesters, media and a few politicians – including Reps Marjorie Taylor Green and George Santos – swarmed the streets around the courthouse.
Trump arrived at the Manhattan Criminal Court just before 1.30 p.m. to surrender.CBSDonald Trump’s motorcade drives on its way to Manhattan Criminal Courthouse.REUTERS
Anti-Trump protesters chanted “Trump is no above the law” as the ex-president’s black Suburban whizzed by.
Trump became the first president to be hit with criminal charges after a grand jury convened by Manhattan DA Alvin Bragg voted last Thursday to indict him in connection to six-figure hush money payments made in the lead-up to the 2016 election.
The exact charges against Trump will remain under seal until the hearing, but sources and reports said the 2024 White House hopeful faces more than 30 felony counts of falsifying business records — a charge that could land him behind bars for up to four years if convicted.
Trump has repeatedly blasted the hush money case as a politically driven “witch hunt.”
People gather outside the courthouse ahead of Trump’s arraignment.Steven Hirsch for N.Y. PostHeavy police presence and hundreds of media outlets are huddled in front of Manhattan Criminal Court in lower Manhattan, awaiting Trump’s arrival.Paul Martinka
As he was holed up in his namesake skyscraper Monday night, Trump raged on Truth Social that Bragg should be “IMMEDIATELY INDICTED” over what the ex-president claimed were illegal leaks related to his indictment.
His rant continued early Tuesday when he posted the court was a “very unfair venue” and called for his case to instead be heard in the Republican-heavy Staten Island.