Donald Trump is mere hours away from standing before the Manhattan grand jury to answer for his role in issuing hush money payments to former adult film star Stormy Daniels during his 2016 election campaign. The former president has been formally charged with more than 30 counts of alleged document fraud, and in less than 24 hours, he will report to the Manhattan Criminal Court for his arraignment. This is the first time in history that a U.S. president, former or serving, has been indicted and faced with criminal charges.
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The Manhattan grand jury cast their vote on March 30 after several days of postponements, shocking both the nation and Trump, who called the decision a “political persecution” and a “witch hunt.” The indictment is just one of many that potentially looms on the horizon for the former president. He is also facing investigations relating to the removal of classified government documents from the White House, inciting the Jan. 6 Capitol riot, and alleged attempts to overturn the 2020 presidential election.
Should Trump be formally charged with the Stormy Daniels hush money case, he is looking at a permanent mark on his criminal record, potential exile from his fellow Republicans, and a scarlet letter that will precede his efforts to run for president again in 2024, not to mention set precedent for his other investigations.
As Trump takes flight from his Mar-A-Lago estate in Palm Beach, Florida, to stand before the grand jury in his hometown of Manhattan, New York, we will provide you updates every step of the way. Stay tuned for the latest news as we discover exactly what crimes the former president will be charged with.
Latest news on Trump’s historic indictment
- 8:11pm ET: Today’s indictment coverage has come to an end, however, We Got This Covered will continue to cover the aftermath of this historic day in American history. Stay tuned for more news.
- 8:03pm ET: Trump is back in Florida and preparing to give a speech at his Mar-a-Lago estate in just a few short minutes.
- 5:47pm ET: Trump is currently in the air on the way back to his Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida. He is expected to give a speech at some point later this evening. Those will be his first words since getting arrested earlier this afternoon.
- 5:31pm ET: Trump was not handcuffed during his arraignment, nor does it look like he had a mug shot taken, but prosecutors say he was fingerprinted.
- 5:25pm ET: Trump has not been charged with a felony or misdemeanor… yet. Prosecutors are pointing to Trump’s “unlawful” attempts to influence the 2016 election as the crux for charging him with a felony. However, they can only do so if they can prove that his falsifying of business records — such as was allegedly done with the Stormy Daniels hush money — was done with the intent to conceal another crime.
- 5:21pm ET: According to the indictment’s “statement of facts,” Trump was part of a “catch and kill scheme” that saw him attempt to bury negative information that would hurt his 2016 election prospects. This included paying off a doorman who was aware of an alleged affair between the former president and an ex-housekeeper.
- 5:14pm ET: In a news conference after today’s arraignment, Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg said that his office has “additional information” on Trump’s case that wasn’t unavailable during his predecessor’s tenure. Such information could bode poorly for Trump.
- 4:10pm ET: After much speculation, prosecutors inside the courtroom confirmed that they intend to bring Stormy Daniels in as a key witness. Thankfully for her, she has already said she “can’t wait” to testify.
- 4:01pm: In an exclusive interview with CNN, Trump’s lawyer Jim Trusty claimed there are “weaknesses” in the former president’s case. He referred to the charges within the indictment as “legal gymnastics” and that there will be “robust motions to dismiss” once they are investigated further.
- 3:56pm ET: Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg released a statement on Twitter following the unsealing of Trump’s indictment, ensuring that even a former president “stands equal before the law.”
- 3:51pm ET: As we continue to learn the exact details of Trump’s indictment, it has been revealed that the former president is scheduled to return to New York on Dec. 4 for an in-person hearing.
- 3:46pm ET: According to Trump’s lawyer, Trump is feeling “frustrated, he’s upset, he’s disappointed ⏤ and it’s not gonna stop him, it’s not gonna slow him down.”
- 3:42pm ET: The results of Trump’s indictment are still unraveling, but at this time the unsealed documents reveal that Trump was involved in an “illegal conspiracy” to undermine the 2016 presidential election.
- 3:33pm ET: The judge did not impose any kind of gag order on Trump. He was instructed to be mindful of his social media activity, including any posts considered threatening or could incite violence.
- 3:28pm ET: Trump has left the courthouse and is on his way back to LaGuardia Airport and set to return to his Mar-a-Lago estate in Palm Beach, Florida.
- 3:00pm ET: CNN’s Jake Tapper has revealed that Trump’s indictment has been unsealed and that he pleaded not guilty to all 34 charges against him.
- 2:44pm ET: Trump’s first photos inside the courtroom have emerged. At this time, the judge is preparing to lay out the charges against him.
- 2:38pm ET: Trump’s arraignment is formally underway. In a matter of minutes, he should be uttering his not-guilty plea.
- 2:35pm ET: Trump has now entered the courtroom, but he did not stop to give a statement to the media as predicted.
- 2:00pm ET: A camera has been stationed inside the courthouse broadcasting video footage of the doors Trump is reportedly expected to walk through at any moment. He has expressed interest in delivering a public statement. Stay tuned…
- 1:38pm ET: Trump is expected to give a statement before entering the courtroom. Despite being unnecessary, he has also expressed interest in taking a mug shot.
- 1:25pm ET: Donald J. Trump is formally under arrest and in police custody. He was considered as such the moment he stepped inside the Manhattan Criminal Courthouse. He is now officially considered an arrested felon.
- 1:13pm ET: Trump is currently en route to the Manhattan Criminal Court where he will surrender and be arrested. He will not be handcuffed, but he will be fingerprinted. It’s unclear if he will have a mug shot taken.
- 12:46pm ET: Trump isn’t the only political figure drawing in crowds. U.S. Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-GA) arrived in New York City today to protest his arraignment, going full Capitol Hill Karen as a result. And the welcome was… not what she expected.
- 12:44pm ET: Protestors and supporters of Trump have crowded the streets of New York City. Trump is minutes away from leaving Trump Tower for the Manhattan Criminal Court. The New York Police have lined the streets with officers as a response to the crowds with all eyes trained on any potential threats to the city or the former president.
- 12:20pm ET: Despite the media’s request to broadcast the proceedings, Acting New York Supreme Court Judge Juan Merchan denied the request. Cameras will still be allowed inside the courtroom, but only for photography purposes. We will keep you updated with the latest news as it unfolds.
- 12:10pm ET: Trump’s arraignment is today. The former president is still inside Trump Tower and will be making his way to the Manhattan Criminal Court at any moment. Stay tuned for regular updates.
- 8:25pm ET: Stay tuned for more information about Trump’s historic arraignment tomorrow, April 4 when the indictment’s hitherto unsealed documents will be made public and we learn the details of his 30-plus charges. We will be back to keep you up to speed every step of the way.
- 5:15pm ET: The scene outside Trump Tower right now includes both groups of supporters and opponents. New York Police have said they plan to amp up security measures ahead of tomorrow’s arraignment. Of the number of supporters expected to show up and protest for the former president is U.S. Representative, and Trump’s biggest cheerleader, Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-GA).
- 4:15pm ET: Trump’s motorcade has arrived outside Trump Tower in New York. The former president entered the building but was sans former first lady Melania Trump. He is not expected to leave Trump Tower until tomorrow when he sets off for his arraignment in Manhattan.
- 3:32pm ET: Trump has just touched down at LaGuardia’s airport in New York ahead of his arraignment. Any moment, he will exit the plane as the first former president in U.S. history to be indicted with criminal charges. Tomorrow he will stand before the Manhattan Criminal Court to answer for over 30 counts of business fraud related to his hush money payments to former porn star Stormy Daniels.
- 3:19pm ET: Trump’s former lawyer Michael Cohen, who made the hush money payments to Stormy Daniels on behalf of Trump and subsequently served prison time from 2019 to 2020, says the former president is “petrified” of having a mugshot taken, getting fingerprinted, and being referred to as a “felon.” Cohen is a key witness in Trump’s indictment and could be called to testify in court.
- 2:51pm ET: This morning, Trump and his legal team submitted a formal request to the Manhattan grand jury to deny the use of video broadcast and photography in the courtroom. The admittance of such, they say, will turn the legal proceeding into a “circus.” Ultimately, the decision lies with Acting New York Supreme Court Judge Juan Merchan.
- 2:15pm ET: Trump is currently en route to Manhattan, New York, where he will report to the Manhattan Criminal Court for his arraignment tomorrow, April 4.