“NOT GUILTY” T-Shirt
Trump, who became the first former US president to be indicted, arrested, and arraigned on criminal charges, pleaded not guilty to 34 criminal charges of falsifying business records in person before State Supreme Court Justice Juan M Merchan.
Trump into courtroom
Wearing a dark blue suit and red tie, a stone-faced Trump walked into the courtroom with his steps heavy and slow and said “Not guilty” in a firm voice while facing the judge.
He sat silently throughout almost the entire proceedings and only spoke when he was required to, either by pleading not guilty or by answering the judge when addressed directly.
Speaking outside court after the arraignment, Trump’s attorney Todd Blanche said that his client is “frustrated” and “upset.”
He accused the prosecutor of turning a “completely political issue” into a “political prosecution.” On the charges against Trump, Blanche said: “We’re going to fight it, fight it hard.”
The historic indictment against Trump was unsealed on Tuesday, providing the public and Trump’s legal team with details about the charges against him for the first time.
It includes charges of falsifying business records in connection with a hush payment that Trump’s former lawyer and fixer Michael Cohen made to porn star Stormy Daniels shortly before the 2016 election.
‘The unlawful plan to suppress negative information Trump
Prosecutors alleged Trump was part of an unlawful plan to suppress negative information, including an illegal payment of USD 130,000 that was ordered by the defendant to suppress the negative information that would hurt his presidential campaign.
The reason he committed the crime of falsifying business records was in part to “promote his candidacy,” the indictment alleges.
Trump hid reimbursement payments to Cohen by marking monthly checks for “legal services,” according to the statement of facts, in a deal the two worked out in the Oval Office.
The payments stopped after December 2017, according to the document.
Trump left the Manhattan courtroom after his arraignment on Tuesday without making any statement. He left the building and got into his motorcade parked outside.
The next in-person hearing date for Trump’s case is set for December 4 in New York, adding that the former president has departed New York en route to Florida.
Trump flew back to his Mar-a-Lago property in Florida, where he addressed a crowd in a roughly 25-minute speech.
Trump’s Speech
He repeated many of his campaign talking points and argued that he has been the victim of a Democratic conspiracy to tank his re-election bid.
Trump said he “never thought anything like this could happen in America” on Tuesday night after he was arraigned in New York City.
“The only crime that I have committed is to fearlessly defend our nation from those who seek to destroy it,” Trump said in Florida.
He criticized the indictment levelled against him, saying he is “going through a fake investigation” that “turned out to be a sham.”
“Let me be as clear as possible: I am Innocent. The only offense I have committed is to defend America from those who seek to destroy it. What we’ve witnessed is election interference in the highest order,” he said.
“Let me assure you – I have never been more determined than I am right now. They can’t beat me or break me. They will not stop me from fighting to save this country. The more they try to frame me, slander me, and destroy me, the stronger my resolve to complete our mission,” Trump said.
He did not even spare judge Juan Merchan who is overseeing his case. The former president alleged that he is a “Trump-hating judge” with a “Trump-hating wife” and family “whose daughter works for Kamala house and now receives money from the Biden Harris campaign”.
Trump’s speech came after the judge did not place a gag order on him but warned him that the issue would be revisited if the ex-president continued with his heated rhetoric about the case.
Order From Court
A gag order would have prohibited Trump, his attorneys, other parties, and witnesses from speaking about the case publicly.
The former president earlier arrived at the specially secured Manhattan courthouse in an eight-car motorcade. He was arrested as he arrived at the court.
Shortly after Trump was put under arrest, his campaign released a mugshot picture of him on a t-shirt saying not guilty.
‘Not Guilty’ Trump
A large crowd had gathered in front of the courtroom ahead of his arraignment.
President Joe Biden did not respond to questions from reporters on the issue at the White House.
Trump’s attorneys earlier said the Republican leader, eying the White House for a second time in 2024, will plead not guilty to the criminal charges he is facing in connection with hush money payments to adult film star Daniels.
Trump has denied all wrongdoings in connection with the payments made to 44-year-old Daniels ahead of the 2016 presidential election.
Not Guilty: Trump’s Message to His People via social media Post
“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!” Trump posted to Truth Social as he was en route to the courthouse.
Security was tightened in New York, in particular the courthouse in lower Manhattan, as hundreds of Trump’s supporters landed in the city to rally behind him. New York City Mayor Eric Adams has warned against any breaking of law and order.
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