Former President Donald Trump appeared in a New York court on Tuesday after being indicted last week. This begins an intense legal battle as the Republican seeks to return to the White House in 2024.
Also read: Donald Trump pleads not guilty to 34 felony charges
After arriving at Manhattan Criminal Court at noon, Trump was booked to later hear the charges against him. The former president pleaded not guilty to 34 serious crimes and after two hours inside the court he left the premises.
The moment, far from being routine, is unusual in the history of the United States, since Trump has become the first former president to appear before a judge to answer criminal charges.
The indictment has remained under seal since the grand jury that reviewed hush money payments to women during the 2016 presidential campaign voted to indict Trump.
Also read: Abbott, Cruz and Paxton defend Trump after filing of charges and indictment
Here’s what to know about the hush money investigation, the charges against Trump, and the ramifications for his bid to regain the presidency:
What is the case against Trump about?
The grand jury spent weeks digging into money paid during Trump’s 2016 presidential campaign to two women who alleged they had extramarital sexual encounters with him. Trump has denied the allegations.
Also read: About what they investigate Donald Trump
What is a formal accusation?
An indictment is the formal charge brought against someone after a grand jury – made up of community members – votes and a sufficient number of members agree that there is sufficient evidence to charge someone with a crime.
What are the charges?
Trump faces multiple charges of falsifying business records, including at least one felony, according to two people who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss information that is not yet public.
What is an appearance?
An arraignment is generally the first time a defendant appears in court after being charged. The judge will notify Trump of the charges against him and will inform him of his right to go to trial, among other things. Trump will plead not guilty, as defendants usually do at the appearance. The indictment is expected to be made public at the time of the arraignment.
What will Trump’s defense be?
Trump’s attorney, Joe Tacopina, vowed to “vigorously fight this political persecution in court.”
What are the political consequences for Trump?
Neither the indictment itself nor a guilty plea would prevent Trump from running for or winning the presidency in 2024.
In fact, the charges have boosted fundraising for his campaign.
What about the other investigations into the former president?
The New York case is just one of many legal predicaments facing Trump.
The Justice Department is also investigating the retention of secret government documents at his Mar-a-Lago, Florida mansion after he left the White House. Federal investigators continue to investigate him for the January 6, 2021 storming of the Capitol and for his attempts to overturn the 2020 election that Trump falsely claimed was stolen from him.
* Por Alanna Durkin Richer and Meg Kinnard / AP
Associated Press writers Michael R. Sisak, Michael Balsamo and Colleen Long contributed to this report.
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