Trump arrives in New York to appear in court

Donald Trump arrived in New York on Monday to appear, on Tuesday, before a Manhattan judge accused of having paid to buy the silence of a porn actress during the 2016 election campaign.

The billionaire, the first former president of the United States to testify in court as a criminal defendant, arrived at Trump Tower, on 5th Avenue, at around 2:15 p.m. (2015 GMT), after traveling from Florida.

The luxurious skyscraper, where the Republican is expected to spend the night, is shielded by the police, on high alert in anticipation of possible disturbances.

The billionaire, who aspires to reach the White House again in the 2024 elections, wrote on his Truth Social network that he was traveling to New York to “make America great again” after declaring himself a victim of “a witch hunt at a time when (your) great country is sinking into hell”.

On Tuesday, as part of his arraignment, he will undergo the standard fingerprinting and photograph procedure, likely to result in one of the most famous mugshots of the modern era, before hearing from the judge — of Colombian origin–, Juan Merchanthe charges against him by the prosecution, still reserved.

Trump will plead not guilty, according to his lawyers, so the case is heading towards a trial.

The instruction revolves around the US$ 130,000 paid to the porn star Stormy Daniels before the 2016 elections, to buy her silence for an alleged extramarital affair that occurred ten years before, something that Trump has always denied.

“The corrupt prosecutor has no case,” he said of Alvin Bragg, who charged him. “What he does have is a jurisdiction where it is IMPOSSIBLE for me to have a Fair Trial,” in reference to the Democratic character of his hometown.

A handful of supporters chanted “we love Trump, we love Trump!” Crossing the threshold of the building, the serious-faced billionaire greeted his followers.

“Get a hold of yourself”

Although “no credible threats” For New York, Mayor Eric Adams, seconded by the top security officials, issued a warning on Monday: “Agitators: control yourselves”.

Adams specifically mentioned radical congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene, “known for spreading misinformation and hate messages”, which has called a demonstration on Tuesday. “While you’re in town, behave yourself.”, he asked.

Trump is scheduled to give a speech on Tuesday at 8:15 p.m. (0015 GMT on Wednesday) upon his return to Florida.

“In the air”

An appearance is a well-established ritual, but there is no roadmap for handing over a former president to judicial authorities.

“everything is in the air”Trump attorney Joe Tacopina said on CNN on Sunday.

A “perp walk,” in which a defendant is escorted in handcuffs before media cameras, is unlikely for a former president under Secret Service protection.

But the lawyer anticipates that the prosecution will try “to pull out every ounce of publicity” that I can with the case. On Tuesday, “the rule of law will die in america”, sentenced the lawyer.

“Hopefully this is as painless and graceful as possible for a situation like this.”, he added.

The Daniels case is just one of the investigations that threaten the former president, who is also being investigated for his possible role in the insurrection of January 6, 2021 in the US Capitol, as well as for the handling and custody of classified documents after leaving the White House.

And perhaps the most important, for pressuring officials to annul Joe Biden’s victory in 2020, with a recorded phone call asking the Secretary of State to “find” enough votes to reverse the result.

Biden, aware that any statement from him could fuel Trump’s complaints that he criticizes the judicial system as politically “instrumentalized”, is one of the few Democrats who remain silent on the accusation of his political rival.

Division

Trump’s impeachment has once again exposed the country’s political divisions. According to a CNN poll, 60% of Americans approve of the impeachment, although it rises to 94% in the Democratic field and 62% of independents, while 79% of Republicans are against it.

Most Republicans have rallied around the former president, including his likely big rival in the party’s presidential primary, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, who called the impeachment “unamerican”.

But other party members expressed concern that a president who survived two impeachment proceedings in Congress and faces several investigations would seek the party’s nomination.

Former Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson, who announced Sunday that he is running to be the Republican presidential nominee, openly questioned that strategy and urged Trump to drop out of the race.

Source: AFP