Historic appearance in New York: Former US President Donald Trump appeared in court in Manhattan on Tuesday, where he was given details of the unprecedented charges against him. Trump was briefly detained for the reading of the extensive indictment, but was allowed to leave the court and New York immediately afterwards.
The prosecutor’s office in New York has charged the Republican with falsifying business documents in 34 cases. He wanted to hide harmful information and illegal activities before and after the 2016 presidential election. Trump is the first ex-president in US history to face criminal charges. Trump pleaded not guilty in court.
The district attorney’s office in Manhattan on Thursday announced the indictment against the Republican, who is running again for a presidential candidacy in the November 2024 election. On Tuesday, Trump had to appear in person for the indictment in court in Manhattan. Up to this point, the indictment had been kept under lock and key – the exact details of the allegations were therefore still unclear until the very end.
The details of the charge
After the indictment was read out in New York, the public prosecutor’s office now announced the details: Trump and others had systematically tried to identify negative information about him, suppress it with money and thus increase his chances in the 2016 presidential election. Trump went to great lengths to cover it all up, making dozens of false entries in business records. Attempts to violate electoral laws are among the criminal activities he has tried to cover up. Under New York election law, it is a criminal offense to conspire to advance a candidate in an election by illegal means.
The background to the case: Shortly before his election as president in 2016, Trump had paid $130,000 in hush money to porn actress Stormy Daniels. She had claimed she had sex with him. Trump denies an affair, but not that money flowed. Confidentiality agreements between two parties are not, in and of themselves, illegal. However, Trump is accused of illegally recording the payments, attempting to conceal them illegally and thus wanting to cover up other violations of the law.
The payment to Daniels is at the center of the indictment. But prosecutors listed two other payments: a $150,000 payment to model Karen McDougal, who also claimed she had an affair with Trump, which Trump denies. And a $30,000 payment to a former Trump Tower porter who claimed to have information on one of Trump’s illegitimate children.
Statement by District Attorney Alvin Bragg
Prosecutor Alvin Bragg emphasized that it’s not just about the one payment to a porn actress: “That’s what this case is about: 34 false statements made to cover up other crimes. In New York State, these are criminal offenses, no matter who you are .”
A lawyer for Trump rejected the allegations against his client. “There are no facts in it,” Todd Blanche said, looking at the indictment. He accused the prosecutor of political motives. “We will fight against it,” Blanche continued. It’s not a good day. Regarding Trump’s state of mind, he said: “He’s frustrated, he’s upset, but I’ll tell you what, he’s motivated.”
Trump himself pleaded “not guilty” at the indictment, but refrained from making a public statement. Immediately after the indictment, the 76-year-old left New York again. He had announced in advance that he would fly straight back to the US state of Florida and speak to the press there in the evening (local time) at his Mar-a-Lago property.
Trump speaks of “witch hunt”
Trump calls the allegations against him a politically motivated “witch hunt” to prevent his victory in the 2024 presidential election. He had already announced several months ago that he wanted to run again in the election. A trial and a potential conviction in the New York case could at best affect Trump’s plans for a renewed presidential candidacy from a political point of view. In purely legal terms, on the other hand, Trump could theoretically also stand as a convicted criminal in the 2024 election, as legal experts emphasize.
However, the further procedure after the indictment is read out will take a long time anyway. Before a trial there is a series of hearings and the opportunity to make various applications. Trump’s lawyers could try to delay the processes and bring a process to burst. Trump himself is not scheduled to appear in court again until December 4th.
Prosecutors suggested January 2024 as a possible start date for Trump’s trial, but the defense has argued for a later date – in late spring 2024. The judge said it was prudent to proceed as soon as possible. The next presidential election in the USA is scheduled for November 2024. The internal party primaries are expected to begin in February 2024.
Trump’s court appearance was accompanied by heavy security and demonstrations by his supporters and opponents alike in the immediate vicinity of the court. Hundreds of journalists were also stationed around the courthouse. Because of feared riots, New York significantly increased security. At first, the demonstrations near the court remained peaceful.
