After historic arrest, Donald Trump pleads not guilty to 34 felony counts in hush money case
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.
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New York, April 05: Former US President Donald Trump on Tuesday pleaded not guilty to 34 felony counts of falsifying business records in a Manhattan court during his arraignment on history-making criminal charges related to paying hush money to a porn star before the 2016 presidential election in exchange for her silence.
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.
He entered the plea during a 45-minute arraignment as prosecutors unsealed a grand jury indictment. No video cameras were allowed inside the courtroom. There was a few seconds visual as he entered the courtroom. Trump left the court after his arraignment. Trump will now fly back to Florida where he is expected to deliver remarks at Mar-a-Lago in Palm Beach in the evening.
"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 have landed in the city to rally behind him. New York City Mayor Eric Adams has warned against any breaking of law and order.
"It's an ongoing case, so we're just not going to comment on the case specifically itself, but the president is going to focus on the American people like he does every day. This is not something that is a focus for him. He is going to focus on things like making sure that ?continue to lower prices for the American people, White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre told reporters at her daily news conference.
The 76-year-old former president, who ruled the country for four years till January 2021, was arrested when he arrived to surrender at the Manhattan criminal court.
Trump has denied all wrongdoings in connection with the payments made to Stormy Daniels, 44, ahead of the 2016 presidential election.
⚡ Former U.S. President Donald Trump Pleads Not Guilty on all 34 Counts in NY Court pic.twitter.com/0K7T1x2nfd
— Megh Updates 🚨™ (@MeghUpdates) April 4, 2023
"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.
The White House refrained from making a comment on the developments in New York except for saying that it's a legal matter.
"It's an ongoing case, so we're just not going to comment on the case specifically itself, but the president is going to focus on the American people like he does every day. This is not something that is a focus for him. He is going to focus on things like making sure that ?continue to lower prices for the American people, White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre told reporters at her daily news conference.
