The White House has stayed mum so far, even as former President Donald Trump pleaded not guilty to 34 felony counts during his arraignment on Tuesday.

White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre was asked several times during Tuesday’s press briefing about the hush money case in which Trump arrived at the Manhattan criminal court to be arraigned. She declined to comment. “It’s an ongoing case, we’re just not going to comment on the case itself,” Jean-Pierre said. “Look, the president’s going to focus on the American people like he does every day. This is not something that is a focus for him.”

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She also added that she had not spoken with President Joe Biden on any of the developments surrounding Trump. However, she reiterated that the White House was not given prior notice of the indictment. She said that the White House learned of the pending charges against Trump along with the rest of the world through news reports.

On Tuesday, Trump arrived at the Manhattan court and pleaded not guilty to 34 counts of falsifying business records and conspiracy. Trump became the first ex-president to face criminal charges in historic court proceedings. Trump also faces separate criminal investigations in Georgia.

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Trump did not make a statement as he entered Manhattan criminal court for his arraignment. 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’.

“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.