Donald Trump pleaded not guilty” of 34 charges brought by the Manhattan court for bribing a porn actress, in the first criminal charge against a former US president that could affect his aspirations to return to the White House.
Colombian-born judge Juan Merchán indicted him on 34 charges related to forging business documents $130,000 payment to porn star Stormy Daniels in the final stretch of the 2016 election campaign to silence an alleged extramarital affair that took place ten years earlier and which he has always denied.
The 76-year-old tycoon should undergo a trial, which he will try to avoid in every way, with unpredictable consequences for his run for president in the 2024 elections.
His then-lawyer Michael Cohen was in charge of making the payment, and the tycoon repaid him the fractional sum, presumably passing it off as professional fees.
Bad face
Sitting among his lawyers, Trump appeared with a gloomy and concerned faceaccording to a photo taken inside the room, after undergoing the usual protocol: fingerprints and photos for the police file.
Both the former president and his lawyers have insisted on the absurdity of the case. Trump won’t stop shouting that it’s a “witch hunt”.
The historic judicial appearance of the former president “not a priority” for his successor Joe Biden, the White House spokeswoman said on Tuesday.
“Obviously he’ll follow up on some of the news when he has a moment to catch up, but that’s not a priority for him,” spokeswoman Karine Jean-Pierre said.
The ‘Daniels case’ is just one of the investigations threatening the former president, under scrutiny for pressuring officials to undo Joe Biden’s 2020 victory, with a recorded phone call in which asked the Secretary of State to “find” enough votes to overturn the result.
Also is being investigated for its possible role in the January 6, 2020 uprising1 in the United States Capitol, as well as for the handling and safekeeping of confidential documents after leaving the White House.
On his way to court, he posted a message on his Truth Social Network: “This looks SURREAL” – WOW, I’m about to be ARRESTED. I can’t believe this is happening in America – MAGA!
more cases
The Trump case, who He has already been the subject of two impeachment attempts by the US Congress.and as president (2017-2021), he also plays in the media.
Unlike other states, where cameras are allowed in courtrooms, this time Judge Merchán was no exception, despite requests from the media. He only allowed photographers to capture this historic moment for a few minutes before the hearing began.
NYPD, on high alert, metal fences installed to separate the dozens of followers of the tycoon and a handful of detractors, in a metaphor of the political division of the country.
“Trump or Death” or “Make America Great Again” (its motto, MAGA, in English), read banners, flags, caps and T-shirts of some. “Trump always lies” or “Lock him up,” cried opponents.
Paulina Farr was from nearby Long Island, a Republican stronghold where the former president has called for the case to be moved for a “fair” trial, to “show support for our President Trump.”
The retired nurse told AFP she was also in Washington on Jan. 6, 2021 when thousands of supporters stormed the Capitol, but this protest “is very different.”
In an effort to politicize the case and motivate its supporters, which they responded by sending him more than $7 million for his campaign Since the indictment was announced last Thursday, the tycoon has recalled on Truth Social what he already uses as a motto: “They don’t come for me, they come for you. They’re just on their way.”
It is “IMPOSSIBLE for me to get a fair trial” in New York, he added of his Democrat-ruled hometown, following Attorney Alvin Bragg’s decision to indict him upholding a grand jury decision.
Bragg is expected to hold a press conference following Trump’s court hearing. The tycoon, in turn, also announced that he will speak to the press.
Source: Clarin
Mary Ortiz is a seasoned journalist with a passion for world events. As a writer for News Rebeat, she brings a fresh perspective to the latest global happenings and provides in-depth coverage that offers a deeper understanding of the world around us.