A new chapter in American history will be written today when Donald Trump becomes the first former US president to stand trial and face criminal charges.
Trump’s unprecedented journey will begin when he leaves his penthouse in Trump Tower in midtown Manhattan at around 10:30 a.m. — closely guarded by his Secret Service — to arrive at 11 a.m. at Attorney General Alvin Bragg’s office in Midtown.
Once inside and away from the global media’s glare, the 76-year-old is expected to be fingerprinted, but he will likely avoid the humiliation of having to have his picture taken, according to reports last night.
Trump will be ushered into the Manhattan Criminal Court, which is located within the same building as the Prague office, for the historic impeachment hearing.
And all the while, law enforcement officials will be praying that the inevitable wave of protesters outside — a mix of MAGA fans and anti-Trump activists — will remain peaceful. A massive security operation will be in place, with thousands of NYPD cops on standby should violence break out.
After the court appearance, which may only last about 15 minutes, Trump will fly on his private jet back to his Mar-a-Lago resort in Palm Beach, Florida.
There, he is expected to deliver a surprisingly inflammatory speech against the criminal case, which he describes as a politically motivated witch-hunt.
This is how the historic day is likely to unfold.
Donald Trump enters Trump Tower in Manhattan on Monday. The former president paused to wave to supporters — and he may want to make similar public offerings today when he appears in Manhattan Criminal Court.
Trump arrived in New York City on his private Boeing 757 — nicknamed Trump Force One — on Monday afternoon. He was taken to Trump Tower in a heavily guarded entourage and spent the night hidden in his personal suite on the upper floors of the 58-story skyscraper.
The former president is likely to leave his apartment around 10:30 am today. Sources say he is due in court at 100 Center Street at 11am.
His motorcade, which includes his legal team, counsel including his son Eric and Secret Service security men, will likely travel south on Fifth Avenue before marching through Madison Square Park and continuing downtown.
Roads on Trump Road will be closed during the trip, and several sections were already lined with steel security barriers Monday night. Similar measures have been taken outside the courtroom, where large crowds of Trump supporters and opponents are likely to gather before his arrival.
Trump will first be taken to the attorney general’s offices. He will likely hand over any personal items for safekeeping — including things like his wristwatch or his cell phone — before giving out personal information such as his name and date of birth.
His fingerprints will likely then be taken.
Supporters of former US President Donald Trump demonstrate in front of the Manhattan District Attorney’s office in New York City on April 3.
A large NYPD presence was seen on Fifth Avenue on Monday
Trump’s private jet sits on the tarmac at LaGuardia Airport, with Rikers Island prison in the background, after landing in New York City on Monday. He will return to Florida after his court appearance on Tuesday and deliver an address from Mar-a-Lago
Barricades were erected around Trump Tower on Fifth Avenue in Manhattan on the Monday before Trump’s arrival
The main question about this part of the reservation process is whether Trump will be accompanied by his Secret Service details. Defendants are usually processed without their attorneys present, but it is not clear what rules apply to Secret Service agents.
Trump will then be escorted to the main courtroom, where he is scheduled to appear at 2.15pm on the 15th floor, before Judge Juan Merchan.
Security at the court will also be very tight. All other court business will be suspended during Trump’s trial and anyone entering the building will be searched twice. The building will also be fully inspected prior to his arrival.
The session itself will likely be short – maybe between 15 and 30 minutes. Trump will be charged and will plead not guilty to all charges. All video cameras are prohibited from entering the courtroom, which means that the hearing will not be recorded.
After his appearance, Trump would be escorted out of the courthouse, past throngs of supporters and activists, and led to his plane waiting at LaGuardia Airport.
Trump will return to Florida and head straight to Mar-a-Lago, where he plans to give a speech about the hearing. It’s not clear exactly what the former president will say — but he will no doubt repeat his claim that the indictment is a politically charged witch hunt without foundation.
A protester holds a sign in front of Trump Tower in New York on Monday, April 3, 2023
New York is preparing for possible protests. Police began building barricades along the edge of the sidewalks around Trump Tower and the Manhattan Criminal Court building
A grand jury decided to indict Trump after hearing evidence about allegations that he paid $130,000 to adult movie star Stormy Daniels (pictured) to buy her silence about an alleged affair.
Trump’s love of propaganda is known and he may want parts of Tuesday’s operation to be a spectacle.
He is unlikely to go on a full swing – a defendant’s public theatrical display out of court – because of the security risks, but he may believe that allowing his supporters to see him will bolster his image as a political martyr.
The former president took a moment to wave to his supporters after arriving at Trump Tower Monday night and the images were instantly broadcast around the world.
His lawyers have said he will plead not guilty and his legal team is preparing to add a constitutional expert, amid fears the judge in the case could impose a gag order.
On Monday his legal team also issued an appeal to the judge to prevent cameras from entering the courtroom – which was granted last night.
The charges against Trump are still sealed, but they are believed to stem from an investigation into the $130,000 payment to adult movie star Stormy Daniels.
“I will be leaving Mar-a-Lago Monday at 12 noon for Trump Tower in New York,” the former president wrote Sunday evening.
Tuesday morning, believe it or not, I’m going to the courtroom. America wasn’t meant to be like this! “
Trump’s historic indictment is due today. It is expected that the streets of Manhattan will be crowded with protesters supporting and opposing the former president
Security at the court will also be very tight. All other court business will be suspended during Trump’s trial and anyone entering the building will be searched twice. The building will also be fully inspected prior to his arrival
A protester holds a sign that reads “Stop Biden” in front of Day’s office in Manhattan
Anti-Trump protesters pose with posters in front of the Fifth Avenue building on April 3.
Meanwhile, Trump went on a rampage Monday night after details of his indictment were “illegally” leaked — and demanded that the Manhattan district attorney resign as a result.
Trump called on DA Alvin Bragg to sue himself after he turned the impeachment plans over to Yahoo journalist Michael Isikoff — whom Trump also attacked.
The new report claims Trump will face a total of 34 felonies. She also described details of the charges – which will be officially revealed on Tuesday.
Some of its contents were previously known, but Trump used it as a way to blow up the historic criminal charges again that required him to travel to his former hometown to turn himself in to authorities.
The former president, 76, will not be subjected to a selfie, and he will not be handcuffed or put in a cell after the court session. Hey ho reports.
In his damning message, Trump wrote in his book Truth Social: “Awesome! The District Attorney of Prague has unlawfully leaked the various points, and complete information, of the pathetic indictment against me. I know the reporter, and unfortunately he is.
This means that it must be indicated immediately. NOW, IF HE WANTED TO REALLY CLEAN UP HIS REPUTATION, HE WILL DO THE DISTINCTIVE THING, AND AS A DOCTORAL PROSECUT, INDICT HIMSELF.
“He will go down in judicial history, and I’m sure his Trump-hating wife will be proud of him!”
The outbursts came as Trump’s team said it had raised $8 million since the indictment was first announced last week. He previously attacked the judge overseeing the case, claiming to ‘hate’ him, after he oversaw a separate civil case for the Trump Organization.
And on Monday evening, the last-minute verdict was issued
