Former US President Donald Trump is set to appear in court on Tuesday to face formal charges, marking a historic moment in American politics, by being the ONLY American president to face criminal charges. This comes as the ex-president continues to be a leading figure within the Republican party, with many speculating that he will run for office in 2024.
The charges relate to a case involving a hush money payment made to Stormy Daniels, a porn star, during Trump’s 2016 presidential campaign. Despite the charges, Trump maintains his innocence and is expected to plead not guilty. The specific charges in the indictment by a grand jury convened are due to be disclosed on Tuesday.
While many have championed this move as a win for democracy and a living example of supremacy of the living law of the land, Trump and his allies have portrayed the charges as politically motivated. Police over the weekend began erecting barricades near Trump Tower and the Manhattan Criminal Court building, with demonstrations expected at both sites on Tuesday. This case has divided people in New York, where Trump’s name is emblazoned on buildings related to his business ventures
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On Tuesday, former President Donald Trump, who is currently the leading candidate for the Republican nomination in the 2024 presidential race, will make a court appearance where he will be officially charged, have his fingerprints taken, and have his mug shot captured, marking a significant moment before the upcoming election.
Trump was indicted last week, making him the first sitting or former president to face criminal charges, in connection to a case related to the payment of hush money to adult film actress Stormy Daniels in 2016. Despite the charges, Trump maintains his innocence and plans to plead not guilty.
Amidst heightened security, Mr. Trump is scheduled to surrender himself on Tuesday, with anticipated demonstrations from both supporters and detractors. While some liberals and global allies have been riled by his actions, he remains popular among white blue-collar workers and conservative Christian voters.
After arriving in New York from Florida on Monday, Mr. Trump took to his Truth Social profile, calling for donations to his campaign and declaring, “We have to take back our country and MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN!”
 To hear the charges and enter a plea, Mr. Trump is scheduled to appear in court for the arraignment at 2:15 p.m. on Tuesday (11:45 p.m. IST). In opposition to videography, photography, and radio coverage, Mr. Trump’s lawyers argued that it would contribute to an already “circus-like atmosphere” surrounding the case, diminishing its decorum and dignity.
Late on Monday, Judge Juan Merchan decided to permit five photographers to take photographs for a few minutes before the arraignment commences, with cameras allowed in the building’s hallways. Later in the day, Democrat District Attorney Alvin Bragg, who headed the investigation, will conduct a news conference. Mr. Trump’s office stated that he would return to Florida and make remarks from Mar-a-Lago at 8:15 p.m. on Tuesday.
DISCREET CHARGES
The grand jury is expected to reveal the precise allegations in the indictment on Tuesday. Mr. Trump and his supporters have characterized the charges as having a political motive. According to Yahoo News, Mr. Trump is expected to face 34 felony charges related to the falsification of business records, based on information from a solitary source briefed on the procedures for Tuesday’s arraignment. The news outlet also reported that none of the accusations against Mr. Trump are expected to be misdemeanors
AMERICANS DIVIDED
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Over the weekend, police set up barricades near Donald Trump Tower and the Manhattan Criminal Court building in anticipation of demonstrations at both locations on Tuesday. New York City Mayor Eric Adams warned potential troublemakers to behave, saying that the city is “our home, not a playground for your misplaced anger.
” President Joe Biden, who is widely expected to seek re-election and face a potential rematch against Mr. Trump, expressed confidence in the New York Police Department and said he was not worried about unrest.
The case has divided New Yorkers, with some expressing hope that Trump will be found guilty, while others, such as Trump supporter Susan Miller, hope their show of support will give him strength. According to a Reuters/Ipsos poll released on Monday, Trump’s lead in the Republican Party’s presidential nominating contest has widened, with 48% of self-described Republicans saying they want him to be their party’s nominee.
Second-place Florida Governor Ron Desantis fell from 30% to around 19%. The specific charges in the indictment by a grand jury are due to be disclosed on Tuesday, and Mr. Trump and his allies have portrayed the charges as politically motivated. Yahoo News reported that Mr. Trump would face 34 felony counts for falsification of business records, citing a single source briefed on the arraignment procedures.
2024 US PRESIDENTIAL RAMIFICATIONS
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The potential implications of the ongoing case on the Republican Party’s selection of their candidate for the November 2024 Presidential election and the ultimate decision made by all Americans are significant not only for the US but also for the rest of the world.
Several potential candidates for the Republican nomination, such as Ron Desantis and Mike Pence, have publicly supported Mr. Trump in recent days. However, if he is elected, it may weaken the US’s support for Ukraine and lead to further conflicts with allies regarding trade and defense.
Mr. Trump initially denied any knowledge of the payment to Ms. Daniels, but later admitted to reimbursing Michael Cohen for the payment, which he described as a “simple private transaction.” In 2018, Mr. Cohen pleaded guilty to campaign finance law violations related to the payments and was sentenced to three years in prison. He testified that Mr. Trump directed him to make the payments and appeared before the Manhattan grand jury on March 13. Mr. Cohen stated after the indictment was announced that he did not want to be remembered as the villain in Mr. Tread.
Read More: Trump to Appear Before Court and Surrender
