Today President Donald Trump was formally arrested and indicted by Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg over the manner “hush money” was processed while Trump was allegedly victim to an extortion scheme in 2016.
Trump pleaded not guilty to a total of 34 charges from Bragg’s office that, if convicted, could see the 76-year-old face up to 136 years in prison.
After leaving Florida last night and spending the night in his Manhattan residence in Trump Tower, the 45th President of the United States once again makes history, this time as the first former president to be charged with crimes by a member of the opposing political party.
Trump was reportedly not placed in handcuffs or a jail cell, and law enforcement did not capture a mug shot.
En route to the courthouse, Trump wrote to Truth Social that the experience was “surreal.”
“Heading to Lower Manhattan, the Courthouse,” wrote Trump. “Seems so SURREAL – WOW, they are going to ARREST ME. Can’t believe this is happening in America.”
Video first captured Trump leaving his Manhattan residence at Trump Tower and departing for Lower Manhattan.
BREAKING: Donald Trump leaves Trump Tower for the courthouse to be arraigned
— ALX 🇺🇸 (@alx) April 4, 2023
Videographers ultimately captured Trump as he entered the courthouse to formally surrender and be charged.
BREAKING: Donald Trump arrives at the courthouse to be arraigned.
— ALX 🇺🇸 (@alx) April 4, 2023
Trump posed with a raised fist for photographers at Trump Tower.
An iconic image.#Trump2024 pic.twitter.com/rkRl8cDRWo
— The Right Take Podcast (@TheRightTakePod) April 4, 2023
Video later emerged of Trump entering the courthouse, shot from the interior of the building by legacy media.
President Trump enters the courtroom. https://t.co/fjgCHGcGHy pic.twitter.com/E8BzB7xEfd
— Steven Crowder (@scrowder) April 4, 2023
A photo was published from inside the courtroom showing Trump sitting with his legal team.
Trump inside the courtroom. pic.twitter.com/wy3pV7WaDx
— Kaitlan Collins (@kaitlancollins) April 4, 2023
Trump was later seen leaving the courtroom after the arraignment was complete.
Trump leaves the courtroom pic.twitter.com/6WxjSrwa8d
— The Post Millennial (@TPostMillennial) April 4, 2023
Many have pointed toward a Yahoo! News article published last night which claimed to exclusively report the details of the indictment despite it remaining sealed at the time. Some have questioned whether Bragg – or his office – committed a felony by leaking the materials to the public.
Trump has maintained his innocence, describing the charges as part of a greater “witch hunt” to prevent him from successfully campaigning and ultimately recapturing the White House in 2024.
Despite rumors that high profile Democrats pressured Bragg to indict, Joe Biden has thus far refused to comment on the arrest of the man he will likely run against in 2024.
This is a breaking news story and may be updated with additional information as it becomes available.
