new York Donald Trump has become the first former president in US history to be impeached. The indictment, released Tuesday in a New York court, alleges that the Republican falsified business records in 34 counts. The 76-year-old pleaded “not guilty”.
Former US President Donald Trump had previously arrived in court to read the indictment against him, accompanied by a large police presence and accompanied by demonstrations. The Republican, accompanied by security guards, ran into the courthouse in Manhattan and was initially taken into custody there.
Upon his arrival, he gave onlookers a quick wave. It is the first time in US history that an ex-president has to answer in a criminal case. The arrival at the court was accompanied by heavy security measures and demonstrations by his supporters and opponents alike.
Because of feared riots, New York had increased security significantly. Hundreds of journalists positioned themselves around the court.
The district attorney’s office in Manhattan announced the indictment against Trump on Thursday. A suspect must appear in person for the reading of the indictment.
See live footage from Manhattan here:
According to media reports, it is about a hush money payment to porn actress Stormy Daniels made shortly before the 2016 election by his lawyer Michael Cohen. Already elected president, Trump repaid the money to Cohen but booked it as legal fees.
Trump denies having an affair with her, but not that money flowed. The prosecutor responsible could also accuse Trump of violating the rules on campaign finance because he hoped that suppressing the disclosure would give him an advantage in the election.
Court rejects video transmission
Trump is likely to plead “not guilty” at the indictment hearing. The responsible judge rejected a video transmission from the court.
Supporters and opponents of the ex-president were separated by police cordons.
(Photo: Reuters)
Opponents and supporters met in front of the courthouse.
(Photo: Reuters)
Hours before Donald Trump’s arrival, the mood in the park in front of the Manhattan Criminal Court was heated. Behind the barriers, demonstrators for and against Trump face each other. According to New York police, there are 300 pro-Trump protesters and 150 opponents.
His supporters see the charges as purely politically motivated. The protesters waved Trump flags and held up signs that read, among other things, “Witch Hunt”.
The safety precautions are great.
(Photo: Sarah Sendner)
Also a popular photo motif for other demonstrators.
(Photo: Sarah Sendner)
A flag of the pro-Trump demo read “Trump or Death” and calls for Trump to vote in the 2024 presidential election. The other side loudly called for the ex-US president to be sentenced. The banners read “Trump for Prison” or “Cry harder right wingers”.
One participant came with a Trump mask in a prison outfit. Another brought a Trump pig: An orange pig as a cuddly toy with Trump’s hairdo.
Isolated clashes
Occasionally there were direct clashes: a demonstrator shouted loudly at a group of Trump supporters, police officers finally intervened and separated the group. A Trump supporter tried to blend in with the counter-demonstrators and was loudly expelled from the spot. Overall, the atmosphere initially remained quite peaceful, which was also ensured by the strong police presence.
The banner reads, “Trump lies all the time.”
(Photo: IMAGO/USA TODAY Network)
The district attorney’s office in Manhattan announced the indictment against Trump on Thursday.
(Photo: Reuters)
Two protesters from Manhattan have come to support their president, they say. Whether they believe Trump is still the President, “yes,” they reply. But that’s not what today is about. It was about “that the United States has fallen to communism”.
Trump is “completely innocent,” said a supporter. The Republican exposes “all the corruption” in the country. Another woman said with conviction that “Communist tactics” were being used against Trump. “America will never put up with that.”
Support for the ex-president.
(Photo: Sarah Sendner)
The radical MP Marjorie Taylor Greene also appeared at the demonstration of Trump supporters in Manhattan, which a youth organization of the Republican Party had called for. The 48-year-old sits for the party in the House of Representatives and regularly comes up with conspiracy theories and attacks against minorities. However, she was only seen briefly in Manhattan, where she was booed.
With agency material.
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