Stay tuned for updates on Donald Trump’s indictment.
Trump remarks at Mar-a-Lago:
[Published 9:16 p.m. EST]: Former President Donald Trump addressed his supporters at Mar-a-Lago, where he said, “I never thought anything like this could happen in America… the only crime that I have committed is to fearlessly defend our nation from those who seek to destroy it.”
Read more here.
Trump to deliver remarks:
[Published 7:53 p.m. EST]: Former President Donald Trump will deliver a speech to his supporters on Tuesday evening at Mar-a-Lago. It is expected for 8:15 p.m. EST.
Watch below:
Trump heads back to Florida:
[Published 4:53 p.m. EST]: Former President Donald Trump is on his way back to Florida after being arraigned in Manhattan.
Earlier on Tuesday, Trump pleaded not guilty to 34 counts of falsifying business records.
Former US president Donald Trump has left the courtroom and will be heading back to Florida after pleading not guilty to 34 felony counts of falsifying business records.https://t.co/AVsyKMhiEf
— Sky News Australia (@SkyNewsAust) April 4, 2023
The charges stem from Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg’s investigation into Trump’s alleged role in hush money payments to adult film star Stormy Daniels.
Speaking to reporters after the arraignment, Bragg said he moved forward with charges because “the case was ready to be brought.”
DA Alvin Bragg on the timing of this indictment:
— Townhall.com (@townhallcom) April 4, 2023
"The case was ready to be brought, and it was brought." pic.twitter.com/AZQpeBh1Fk
READ: Indictment against former President Donald Trump –> https://t.co/Fk2XoDdKPg pic.twitter.com/7uoE9GeYM1
— CSPAN (@cspan) April 4, 2023
Trump enters a plea:
[Published 3:00 p.m. EST]: Former President Donald Trump has pleaded not guilty to 34 felony charges, according to The New York Times.
Courtroom photo of Trump released:
[Published 2:56 p.m. EST]: The first picture of former President Donald Trump has been released from his arraignment.
The image showed Trump surrounded by his attorneys in the courtroom.
PICTURE of Former President Donald Trump inside a Manhattan courtroom during his arraignment. pic.twitter.com/mBpWzC3iEL
— Amanda Bossard (@amandabossard) April 4, 2023
Trump surrenders:
[Published 1:52 p.m. EST]: Former President Donald Trump arrived at the New York City courthouse. He arrived at Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg’s office at 1:25 p.m. EST, per the Washington Examiner. Judge Juan Merchan will hand down his criminal charges.
Just prior to surrendering, Trump posted to Truth Social: “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 supporters gather outside courthouse:
[Published 12:40 p.m. EST]: Supporters of former President Donald Trump gathered outside the Manhattan courthouse where he is expected to be arraigned on Tuesday afternoon.
The conservative site The Post Millennial estimated “around 500” people had gathered.
https://twitter.com/TPostMillennial/status/1643281256182870019
Another video showed a man waving an American flag, then placing basketballs on top while they spun. He labeled himself a fan of Trump.
NYC Criminal Courthouse- A man waving an American flag states that he’s Trump’s number one fan before a white liberal woman with BLM patches begins screaming “TRUMP’S A DICK” pic.twitter.com/ZwC7bFAwt7
— Savanah Hernandez (@sav_says_) April 4, 2023
There were detractors who showed up as well.
A man dressed in an orange jumpsuit with a Trump mask showed up. Additionally, a video showed a flag stating, “Trump lies all the time.”
https://twitter.com/RebsBrannon/status/1643258467312885762
MTG stands by Trump:
[Published 11:20 a.m. EST]: Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.) is headlining a “Rally for Trump” at Collect Pond Park in New York.
She spoke with the Right Side Broadcasting Network, saying, “Trump is joining some of the most incredible people in history being arrested today. Nelson Mandela was arrested, served time in prison. Jesus! Jesus was arrested and murdered.”
The Republican lawmaker declared she will “always support him,” adding, “He’s done nothing wrong.”
Marjorie Taylor Greene arrives in NYC & immediately calls out Mayor Eric Adams.
— Collin Rugg (@CollinRugg) April 4, 2023
"While you allow crime in your streets and you sent your henchman down here… Dems are the party of violence."pic.twitter.com/qMmLxROlEP
Trump slams “unfair venue”:
[Published 10:52 a.m. EST]: Ahead of his expected arraignment, former President Donald Trump took to Truth Social to denounce the location, calling it a “very unfair venue” in Manhattan.
“VERY UNFAIR VENUE, WITH SOME AREAS THAT VOTED 1% REPUBLICAN. THIS CASE SHOULD BE MOVED TO NEARBY STATEN ISLAND – WOULD BE A VERY FAIR AND SECURE LOCATION FOR THE TRIAL,” Trump wrote on Tuesday morning.
The former president also labeled the judge and his family “Trump haters” and claimed the judge “WAS AN UNFAIR DISASTER ON A PREVIOUS TRUMP RELATED CASE, WOULDN’T RECUSE, GAVE HORRIBLE JURY INSTRUCTIONS, [and] IMPOSSIBLE TO DEAL WITH DURING THE WITCH HUNT TRIAL.”
“HIS DAUGHTER WORKED FOR ‘KAMALA’ [and] NOW THE BIDEN-HARRIS CAMPAIGN. KANGAROO COURT!!!” he added.
Trump scheduled to be arraigned in Manhattan in hush money investigation:
[Published 10:34 a.m. EST]: Former President Donald Trump is slated to be arraigned in a Manhattan courthouse on Tuesday.
The charges come from Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg’s investigation into hush money payments to two women who claim they had affairs with Trump, per NBC News.
He is scheduled to appear before Judge Juan Merchan at 2:15 p.m. EST.
However, Yahoo News’ Michael Isikoff reported on Monday evening it is not expected Trump will be handcuffed, have his mugshot taken, or be placed in a jail cell.
Isikoff also reported the former president will be hit with 34 felony charges for falsification of business records, with no misdemeanors.
The indictment is still under seal and the exact charges are not known. They will be made public when Trump is arraigned.
Trump’s attorney has said the former president will plead not guilty.