Former President Donald Trump faces a daunting new legal challenge as he returns to his hometown of New York City to face charges in a criminal probe. The investigation, which has been ongoing for several years, could have significant implications for Trump’s future dealings and his political aspirations. As the case moves forward, many are wondering what impact this will have on the former president’s supporters, his party, and the broader political landscape.
Former US President Donald Trump traveled from Florida to New York on Monday for his historic booking and arraignment on hush money charges. The nation’s largest city bolstered security and warned potential protesters that it is “not a playground for your misplaced anger.”
Mr. Trump’s motorcade ride from his Mar-a-Lago club to his red, white, and blue Boeing 757, emblazoned with his name in gold letters, was carried live on cable television in the US. It took him past supporters waving banners and cheering, decrying the case against him as politically motivated.
Prosecutors say their case against him has nothing to do with politics and have defended the work of Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg who is leading it. Mr. Trump stepped off his jet alone and directly into a waiting black car, with no one greeting him.
Advisers said Mr. Trump spent the flight working. He was to meet with his lawyers, then spend the night at Trump Tower before surrendering to authorities for booking and the arraignment.
Mr. Trump is facing multiple charges of falsifying business records, including at least one felony offense in the indictment handed down by a Manhattan grand jury last week. The investigation is scrutinizing six-figure payments made to porn actor Stormy Daniels and former Playboy model Karen McDougal.
Both say they had sexual encounters with the married Mr. Trump years before he got into politics. Mr. Trump denies having sexual liaisons with either woman and has denied any wrongdoing involving payments. It is an unprecedented chapter in American history, with Mr. Trump the first former president to face criminal charges.
Mr. Trump posted “WITCH HUNT” on his social media network. He also bolstered his legal team by adding a third high-profile lawyer, Todd Blanche, according to three people familiar with the matter. Mr. Blanche, a former federal prosecutor, has previously represented Mr. Trump’s former campaign chairman Paul Manafort.
New York Mayor Eric Adams warned the potential protesters, saying, “While there may be some rabble-rousers thinking about coming to our city tomorrow, our message is clear and simple: control yourselves. New York City is our home, not a playground for your misplaced anger. We are the safest large city in America because we respect the rule of law in New York City.”
Trump Tower was open on Monday, but traffic was expected to be snarled by nearby street closings, especially as the former president came and went. Additional security was also in the works. A small group of supporters hung large “Trump 2024” banners across from a makeshift pen of reporters, a block away from Trump Tower.
Authorities also have taken steps to close and secure the court floor where Mr. Trump is to appear before a judge as part of his arraignment. One of Mr. Trump’s staunchest defenders in Congress, Republican Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene of Georgia, was helping to organize a rally in New York for Tuesday morning, and Mayor Adams took the unusual step of calling her out by name.
Arriving in Minnesota where he was touring a factory to promote his administration’s economic policies, President Joe Biden was asked if he thought there would be unrest in New York. “No, I have faith in the New York Police Department,” the president replied. He also said he had faith in the nation’s legal system.
