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Edited by Liz
April 4, 2023, a day that will live in United States and World history forever.
It marked the first time in U.S. history that a president, current or former, was arraigned on criminal charges.
Trump walked into a Manhattan courtroom shortly after 2 PM on Tuesday to be processed after his indictment in this ongoing “Hush Money” case.
Trump was charged with 34 felonies of falsifying business records. He pleaded not guilty to all charges.
New York City was on high alert on Tuesday, since Trump had been calling for his supporters to protest his indictment. Mayor Eric Adams even name dropped Marjorie Taylor Greene while he was telling Trump supporters to behave themselves.
“Be on your best behavior,” Adams said.
Axios reported that after the indictment the NYPD posted barricades around Trump tower and the court house.
The NYPD responded to Axios in an email stating: “Officers have been placed on alert and the department remains ready to respond as needed and will ensure everyone is able to peacefully exercise their rights.”
Following the arraignment both Alvin Bragg and Donald Trump held press conferences regarding the ongoing case.
Alvin Bragg insisted that Trump committed multiple crimes and that no one is above the law. Bragg alleges that Trump and his associates, including Michael Cohen, conducted a “catch and kill” scheme to “buy and suppress negative information to help Mr. Trump’s chances of winning the election.”
While Bragg was speaking Trump was on his way to Mar-a-Lago to hold a press conference of his own. Shortly after 8:15 PM, Trump walked on stage in front of his supporters, including members of congress.
The speech was promoted as a response to the arraignment it turned into a political campaign and Trump listed his grievances against his “enemies”.
It is worth noting the speech contained many falsehoods.
While Trump predictably criticized Alvin Bragg, Trump also criticized Fulton County District Attorney, Fani Willis, who is investigating Trump’s attempt to pressure Georgian officials to overturn the 2020 election results in Georgia. Trump continued to attack Jack Smith who is the Special Counsel investigating the Classified Documents case as well as Trump’s role in the January 6th attack.
Trump also attacked the Judge presiding over his “hush money” case. Trump mentioned Juan Merchan and said his wife is a Trump hater and also mentioned Merchan's daughter. (Merhcan's daughter works for an organization that has worked with Democratic candidates.)
Trump’s speech comes after Merchan specifically warned both sides to refrain from language that could incite violence, cause unrest, or cause harm to individuals.
It is unclear if at this point the judge will place a gag order on Trump, preventing him from speaking of the case.
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