Donald Trump, former president of the United States, on Tuesday, was charged with 34 offenses for falsifying company records in a landmark case. He has been accused of planning hush-money payments to two women prior to the 2016 presidential election in an effort to prevent the public disclosure of their sex acts with him.
Trump, the first US president to be charged criminally while in office or prior, was accused by prosecutors in Manhattan of attempting to hide a breach of electoral regulations amid his victorious 2016 campaign.
When the judge questioned Trump, 76, in court about his plea, he responded, “Not guilty.” At the defense table, which was flanked by his attorneys, Trump sat somberly with his hands crossed while donning a dark blue suit and a red tie.
BREAKING: Former President Trump has arrived at the courthouse to surrender and be arrested on criminal charges. https://t.co/Le705IMhsX pic.twitter.com/9asEOA69WI
— NBC News (@NBCNews) April 4, 2023
Trump, who is currently in the lead for the Republican nomination in 2024, answered “yes” when the judge asked him if he knew what a right was. The judge once appeared to be asking for a response by placing his hand to his ear.
According to prosecutor Chris Conroy, defendant Donald J. Trump fabricated New York company records to hide an illegal plot to taint the 2016 presidential election and other electoral law violations.
When done to further or cover up another crime, such as election fraud, falsifying business records in New York is upgraded to a crime subject to four years in jail rather than the misdemeanor it is on its own.
Posts on social media
Trump allegedly made a number of social media statements, one of which threatened “death and destruction” if he was charged, according to prosecutors during the arraignment. Please “refrain from making statements that are likely to incite violence or civil unrest,” the judge pleaded with the parties.
Earlier in the day, Trump posted on social media: “Heading to Lower Manhattan, the Courthouse. Seems so SURREAL – WOW, they are going to ARREST ME. Can’t believe this is happening in America.”
At both instances, when he entered the courtroom and when he departed an hour later, Trump remained silent.
The New York prosecution, in his words, was electoral meddling.
Trump remarked, “I never thought anything like this could happen in America. The only crime I’ve ever committed has been to fearlessly defend our nation against those who seek to destroy it.”
A Georgia county prosecutor is conducting a separate criminal investigation into whether Trump attempted to fraudulently reverse Georgia in the 2020 election. Also under investigation by the US Justice Department are his handling of classified papers after leaving office and efforts to have the 2020 election results overturned.
According to Trump, “They can’t beat us at the ballot box so they try to beat us through the law.”
The next hearing is scheduled for Dec. 4 by Justice Juan Merchan. A trial may not even begin for a year, according to legal experts, and an indictment or even a conviction won’t officially stop Trump from running for president.
