Just hours before his historic arraignment, Donald Trump requested that the Stormy Daniels hush money case be transferred from Manhattan to Staten Island.

On Truth Social, the former president attacked the judge and claimed that the new venue would be “very fair and safe,” as protesters and the international media descended upon the Manhattan court where he will surrender this afternoon.

Trump wants the case to be moved to Staten Island as it’s more Republican friendly. In the 2020 election, Staten Island voters endorsed Donald Trump 57% to Vice President Biden’s 42%.

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Prior to the official charges on Tuesday, Trump is still leading polls. His Secret Service detail will accompany him throughout the entire arraignment process.

The Manhattan lawsuit began when Trump’s “fixer” and then-attorney Michael Cohen paid Stormy Daniels, whose real name is Stephanie Clifford, $130,000.

On Tuesday, protesters congregated in front of the courthouse, both in favor and against.

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The former CEO’s claims that the judge in the Stormy Daniels hush money case is biased against him and a “Trump hater” were continued in the Tuesday early post.

He added that Kamala Harris, the vice president, employs the judge’s daughter.

“Very unfair venue, with some areas that voted 1% Republican. This case should be moved to nearby Staten Island – Would be a very fair and secure location for the trial,” Trump posted on Truth Social a few hours before his Manhattan court appearance.

The ex-president arrived at Trump Tower in Manhattan on Monday before being officially charged in court on Tuesday. Immediately after the arraignment, Trump will return to his Mar-a-Lago estate and make comments from his club in Palm Beach, Florida.

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At 10:30am today, the former president is scheduled to depart Trump Tower for the Manhattan courthouse in the company of a motorcade led by the Secret Service and the NYPD, which will result in rolling road closures. Journalists from all over the globe waited in line all night at the courthouse to secure a spot in the courtroom.

Just after dawn, protesters from both groups converged on the criminal court building, where they were divided by NYPD barricades. Early on, chaos broke out as protesters from opposing factions fought, with one Trump supporter hurling herself at an anti-Trump banner and attempting to tear it down.

More than a week prior to his indictment, Trump urged his supporters to “protest, protest, protest,” and he subsequently threatened “death and destruction” if he were to face charges.