Former President Donald Trump did not make a statement as he entered Manhattan criminal court for his arraignment on the hush money case to surrender to authorities on Tuesday.
Video taken by reporters who have gathered outside the court showed Trump walking straight from an eight-car motorcade into the building which was heavily guarded. However, as he drove from the Trump Tower, where he was staying overnight after having flown down from Florida, the ex-leader did take to the only social media platform where he is still active, Truth Social, and called the experience of arriving at his arraignment ‘surreal’.
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“Heading to Lower Manhattan, the Courthouse. Seems so SURREAL – WOW, they are going to ARREST ME. Can’t believe this is happening in America. MAGA!” he said. These were the first comments made by Trump following an indictment by a New York grand jury.
He did wave to the crowd before entering the courthouse. He entered the building using a side entrance. Trump was expected to be taken by a private elevator to the seventh floor, where he would be read his rights and fingerprinted.
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As a gesture of support for the former president, who claimed the charges against him were politically driven, several hundred supporters packed the roads heading to the courtroom.
Donald Trump’s followers showed their solidarity by waving American flags, Trump images, and banners. The courthouse was surrounded by tight security, and all streets going there were blocked off.
Given that Trump is being charged for the first time and is learning what the charges are, his detention and arraignment before Judge Juan Merchan should be quick. As is customary in the court, Trump will submit a not-guilty plea, according to his attorneys, and is expected to do so personally.
Unfortunately, cameras or media broadcast devices are not permitted in the courtroom, according to Judge Merchan’s decision.
