Would you look at this: Donald Trump has disembarked his plane at New York City’s LaGuardia Airport in advance of his arraignment following last week’s indictment.
As we previously reported, a grand jury slapped the President with charges last week. Although it remains under seal, a source familiar with the investigation told CBS News on Saturday that the president will be charged with falsifying business records in the first degree, which is a felony.
Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg had been investigating alleged falsified business records connected to a $130,000 wire transfer to adult film star Stormy Daniels by Trump’s former attorney Michael Cohen ahead of the 2016 presidential election. Trump has denied
all wrongdoing including a sexual encounter with Miss Daniels.
Trump had previously given his supporters the heads up that he would be “arrested” soon. He said on his platform Truth Social,
“Illegal leaks from a corrupt & highly political Manhattan district attorney’s office … indicate that, with no crime being able to be proven … the far & away leading Republican candidate & former president of the United States of America, will be arrested on Tuesday of next week,” Trump wrote last Month. He added, “IT’S TIME!!!” he wrote. “WE JUST CAN’T ALLOW THIS ANYMORE. THEY’RE KILLING OUR NATION AS WE SIT BACK & WATCH. WE MUST SAVE AMERICA!PROTEST, PROTEST, PROTEST!!!”
Following Trump’s statements, District Attorney Alvin Bragg said at the time, “We do not tolerate attempts to intimidate our office or threaten the rule of law in New York,” he wrote, and added: “In the meantime, as with all of our investigations, we will continue to apply the law evenly and fairly, and speak publicly only when appropriate.”
As a result of thinking he’s untouchable, he becomes the first former president in U.S. history to face criminal charges.
Former President Donald Trump has disembarked his plane at New York City's LaGuardia Airport in advance of his arraignment following last week's indictment. https://t.co/VEHLBT5LQe pic.twitter.com/fwcDrCv2RA
— CBS News (@CBSNews) April 3, 2023
What Happens Next?
When Mr. Trump turns himself in on Tuesday, he will be in the custody of the New York Police Department and the Secret Service. He is expected to be arraigned later that day in the afternoon, and will be “processed like any other defendant,” CBS News legal analyst Rikki Klieman said.
Once that happens, Trump announced on Sunday that he would give remarks from Mar-a-Lago at 8:15 p.m. ET on Tuesday after he is charged.
“On Tuesday morning I will be going to, believe it or not, the Courthouse. America was not supposed to be this way!” Trump wrote on Truth Social. He also called the Manhattan district attorney’s investigation a “WITCH HUNT.”
Trump has added a white-collar defense attorney, Todd Blanche, to his defense team, two sources familiar with the matter confirmed to CBS News’ Robert Costa.
What To Expect?
Meanwhile, NYC mayor Eric Adams warns Trump supporters ahead of arraignment to “be on your best behavior.”
“Although we have no specific threats, people like Marjorie Taylor Greene – who is known to spread misinformation and hate speech – has stated she’s coming to town. While you’re in town, be on your best behavior,” said the Democratic mayor.