Donald Trump is set to become the US’s first sitting or former president to face criminal charges, with a court appearance due on Tuesday. Trump, 76, is accused of making a 2016 hush money payment of $130,000 to adult film star Stormy Daniels, a claim he has denied.
His arraignment is expected to take place at 2:15 p.m. (1815 GMT) on Tuesday in Manhattan Criminal Court, after the specific charges were revealed by a grand jury and five photographers will be admitted before the procedure starts to take pictures for several minutes. Trump’s lawyers had urged him to keep them out, arguing they would worsen “an already almost circus-like atmosphere.”
Mayor Eric Adams has warned potential rabble-rousers to behave, issuing a statement that “our message is clear and simple: Control yourselves. New York City is our home, not a playground for your misplaced anger.”
President Joe Biden, a Democrat who is widely expected to seek re-election and face a potential rematch against Trump, said he had faith in the New York police.
The case has divided people in New York, where Trump’s name is emblazoned on buildings related to his business ventures. Protests are expected at both sites on Tuesday.
Despite the indictment, Trump’s lead has widened over rivals in the Republican Party’s presidential nominating contest, according to a Reuters/Ipsos poll released on Monday, conducted after news broke that he would face criminal charges. Trump is expected to deliver remarks from his Mar-a-Lago resort at 8:15 p.m. on Tuesday (0015 GMT on Wednesday).
Trump has hired Todd Blanche, a prominent criminal defense lawyer and former federal prosecutor, to join his legal team, and is also facing a separate criminal probe into whether he unlawfully tried to overturn his 2020 election defeat in the state of Georgia, and legal investigations by the Justice Department into the election and his handling of classified documents after leaving office.
The company mentioned in this article is Trump’s personal business ventures, as his name appears on multiple buildings and bars in New York City. His business ventures have been criticized by many, as his actions both in and out of office could have serious criminal consequences.
The person mentioned in this article is Michael Cohen, Trump’s former personal lawyer. Cohen pleaded guilty to federal campaign finance law violations and was sentenced to three years in prison. He testified in the Manhattan investigation last month, and has since made statements to the press in support of Trump.
