new York The former President of the United States has pleaded not guilty to the New York Supreme Court. Judge Juan Merchan had previously indicted him on 34 counts. In the courthouse he was to complete a series of formalities. He then left the court without addressing onlookers or journalists before or after.
The case concerns hush money payments from 2016 to former porn actress Stormy Daniels, who also wrote a book about her relationship with the president. Among other things, Trump is accused of falsifying business documents in order to cover up the hush money payments.
It’s the first time in American history that an ex-president has faced criminal charges. The grand jury of the Manhattan Criminal Court voted last week to indict Trump.
Trump came to court voluntarily and wrote on his social media site Truth the morning before the hearing: “Wow, they’re going to arrest me. Can’t believe this is happening in America.” He only wants to speak about the indictment in the evening with a speech from his club Mar-A-Lago in Florida.
District Attorney Alvin Bragg is investigating whether Trump violated national law in connection with hush money payments in 2016.
Much of the investigation is based on statements by Michael Cohen, Donald Trump’s former attorney. On Trump’s instructions, he wants to have transferred a total of 280,000 US dollars to the porn actress Stormy Daniels and the Playboy model Karen McDougal.
Both women say they had sexual relations with Trump in 2006, which Trump denies. Cohen, in turn, is said to have been “compensated” for covering up the affairs of Trump’s company “The Trump Organization” with more than 420,000 US dollars – the sum also includes the hush money payments. Trump is said to have booked the sum as legal fees. Cohen has already served a prison sentence in connection with the payments.
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)
The indictment hearing took place on the 15th floor of the Manhattan Criminal Court. It’s the same courtroom that tried Hollywood mogul Harvey Weinstein’s sex crimes case.
Hush money payments are legal
While hush money payments are legal in the US, forged business records are not. If prosecutors can prove that the payments were deliberately concealed and that there was fraud, as Cohen alleges, then that would be a Class E felony. It could carry up to four years in prison.
Trump’s defense attorneys could theoretically even delay the process until after the presidential elections. Even if they fail, Trump could still run for the 2024 presidency: the US Constitution does not provide any hurdles for delinquents running for the presidency.
The safety precautions are great.
(Photo: Sarah Sendner)
Financially, the process has brought both Trump and Stormy Daniels a lot: Trump’s supporters donate more diligently than they have in a long time. And also Daniels tweeted recently happy about a lot of online orders for their own #Teamstormy merchandise.
Hundreds of protesters in front of the courthouse
The process has turned the southeastern part of Manhattan near the Brooklyn Bridge into a huge spectacle. Hours before Donald Trump’s arrival, the mood in the park in front of the Manhattan Criminal Court was heated. Cordons keep the street clear for the former president to arrive ahead of his court date. Behind them are demonstrators for and against Trump. According to New York police, there are 300 pro-Trump protesters and 150 opponents.
A flag of the pro-Trump demo reads “Trump or Death” and calls for Trump for the 2024 presidential election. The other side is loudly demanding that the ex-US president be sentenced. The banners read “Trump for Prison” or “Cry harder right wingers.” One participant came in a prison outfit with a Trump mask. Another brought a Trump pig: An orange pig as a cuddly toy with Trump’s hairdo.
A counter-protester with Trump toys.
Demonstrators from both sides discuss a barrier with each other.
Occasionally there are direct clashes: A black demonstrator shouts loudly at a group of black Trump supporters, police officers finally intervene and separate the group. A Trump supporter tries to blend in with the counter-demonstrators and is loudly expelled from the square. Overall, the mood remains quite peaceful, which is also ensured by the strong police presence.
Two protesters from Manhattan have come to support their president, they say. Whether they believe Trump is still the President – “yes,” they answer.
But that’s not what today is about. It was about “that the USA has fallen to communism”.
Trump supporter Pam Roehl, who arrived in New York from Nashville on Monday, believes the trial will only make the ex-president even more popular. “People love an underdog. And this process makes him an underdog,” says Roehl.
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