Donald Trump surrendered himself on Tuesday after a dramatic New York court hearing held amid tight security as the authorities are expecting protests held by Trump supporters outside the Manhattan court on Tuesday, April 4. Amid the arrest, global media updates went frenzy as the Republican billionaire becomes the first American president in history to face criminal charges.
The televised court hearing also saw rival protesters rallying outside the hearing marks a watershed moment for the US criminal and political system with the potential to upend the 2024 White House race in which Trump is currently the presumptive Republican nominee. ALSO READ | After Donald Trump’s Twitter Ban, ‘Home Alone 2’ Trends; Twitterati Demand The US President Should Be Digitally Removed From Movie Scene
The 76-year-old Republican nominee has pleaded not guilty, as he appeared in the New York court, to a slew of charges related to hush money paid to pornstar Stormy Daniels ahead of the 2016 election that brought him to power, reported UNILAD.
Recently, Trump briefly spoke about his arrest on social platform Truth Social, where he told his followers on March 18, that he is expected ‘to be arrested’ on 21 March.
"Illegal leaks from a corrupt & highly political Manhattan district attorney's office ... indicate that, with no crime being able to be proven ... the far & away leading Republican candidate & former president of the United States of America, will be arrested on Tuesday of next week," he wrote, adding, "Protest, take our nation back!"
In another post, he wrote in all caps: "WE JUST CAN'T ALLOW THIS ANYMORE. THEY'RE KILLING OUR NATION AS WE SIT BACK & WATCH." He also called the scenario a “WITCH HUNT.”
The allegations say that Daniels had planned to sell her account of an alleged adulterous affair between her and Trump, which the former President has denied ever happened. Trump’s counsel Michael Cohen paid $130,000 for his silence when the former American President’s team were apparently made aware of Daniels trying to sell her story, which is not illegal.
Although, prosecutors have asserted that when Trump reimbursed Cohen and recorded the payment as a legal fee. This is considered by prosecutors as falsifying business records, which is a misdemeanour criminal offence in New York.
If prosecutors alleged that Trump’s attempt to hide his payments to Daniels breaks election laws to stop voters from knowing about the alleged affair, and it could lead to a possible felony charge.
An investigation into the alleged hush money payment and the arrest comes as Trump is seeking the Republican nomination for the presidency in 2024. ALSO READ | Donald Trump Awarded ‘Taekwondo Ninth Dan Black Belt’ By South Korean president of taekwondo-SEE PHOTOS
According to the US Law, Trump would still be able to continue his presidential campaign despite being indicted, nor would a criminal conviction stop him from pursuing his political ambitions if he so chooses.
Image Source: Instagram