Donald Trump turned himself in on Tuesday for a historic New York court hearing amid tight security and a global media frenzy, as the Republican billionaire became the first American president to face criminal charges.
The hearing, which was broadcast live on television — with counter-protesters rallying outside — marks a watershed moment for the US criminal and political system, potentially upping Trump’s 2024 White House race as the Republican nominee.
The 76-year-old is expected to plead not guilty to multiple charges related to paying the porn star before the 2016 election that swept him to power.
“It seems so surreal — wow, they’re going to arrest me,” Trump posted on his Truth social app as he made his way to the courthouse from Trump Tower, where he spent the night after flying from Florida.
“I can’t believe this is happening in America. Man!”
The twice-impeached Republican is the first sitting or former American president to be impeached — a development that has led the United States into uncharted political waters.
Police lined the streets as helicopters buzzed in the sky as Trump’s motorcade made the short drive to court, cameras were not allowed for the proceedings, but were broadcast live on US networks.
Trump waved to supporters after leaving his car before driving into the complex under US Secret Service protection. He was not subjected to a “perp walk” — in which the accused is taken in handcuffs to the media cameras.
The former president was supposed to go through the standard booking process at the Manhattan District Attorney’s office — fingerprinted — and potentially photographed, resulting in the all-time famous mug shot.
He will then learn exactly what charges he will face at his hearing, which is scheduled for 2:15 pm (1615 GMT). Trump is expected to plead not guilty to all counts, his lawyers said.
Protests outside the court
Trump says he is the victim of “political harassment” — but is using the court case to energize his support base and raise millions of dollars to retake the White House next year.
He plans to speak to reporters as he walks through the halls toward the courthouse, one of his attorneys told CNN.
“Radical left Democrats have criminalized the justice system,” Trump wrote on Truth Social hours before the trial, branding the legal proceedings a “kangaroo court.”
Hundreds of people gathered outside the venue, including dozens of Trump supporters and anti-Trump demonstrators, media and curious onlookers.
Police took to the field as the pro-Trump side — many sporting “MAGA” hats and attire emblazoned with the American flag — hurled taunts at counter-protesters.
The anti-Trump camp unfurled a large banner reading “Trump Lies All The Time” and chanted, “Lock him up!” Trump fans waved the flag chanting “Trump or Death”.
About 30 counts, including at least one felony, were not sealed during the arraignment, which could last about 15 minutes.
Afterward, Trump will return directly to Florida, where he plans to deliver an evening speech.
A payment of $130,000
Trump was indicted by a grand jury last week in a case brought by Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg, an elected Democrat.
The allegations revolve around an investigation into $130,000 paid to adult film actress Stormy Daniels just days before Trump’s election victory.
Trump’s former lawyer and aide Michael Cohen, who has since turned against his former boss, said he arranged the payment to Daniels in exchange for her silence about her 2006 tryst with Trump.
Trump, whose third wife Melania had recently given birth at the time, denied the affair.
Legal experts have suggested that if not properly accounted for, the payment could lead to charges for falsifying business records, perhaps with the intent to cover up a campaign finance violation.
Trump is facing a series of separate criminal investigations at the state and federal level that could lead to more serious — and indictable — charges between now and Election Day.
His efforts to overcome his 2020 election loss in the state of Georgia include his handling of classified documents and his involvement in the attack on the US Capitol on January 6, 2021.
President Joe Biden, who he says could fuel Trump’s claim of a politically “weaponized” justice system, was one of the few Democrats to back down on the indictment of his opponent.
Asked Monday if he had faith in the justice system, Biden simply replied, “Yes.”
But Republicans have largely rallied around Trump, including his opponent in the party’s presidential primary, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, who called the conviction “un-American.”