5 minutes agoTrump found innocent of 34 counts of criminal acts
Periskopi(3 years ago)
(3 years ago)Former U.S. President Donald Trump has arrived at one of the Manhattan courts in New York, where he was declared innocent of 34 counts of criminal acts for counterfeiting business records. He has been formally under arrest since reaching court. Before entering the building [...]
He has been formally under arrest since reaching court. Before entering the court building, he greeted his supporters, gathered nearby.
The charges involve a payment he allegedly paid the porn star Stormy Daniels in an attempt to buy her silence for an alleged relative.
The fee is believed to have been legally carried out, but it is assumed Trump recorded it as a business expense. Forging business records is a violation in New York.
Trump's appearance before Judge Juan Merchan is expected to be relatively short ʹ Trump will give fingerprints, hear accusations against him, and plead innocent.
Judge Merchan has decided that television cameras will not be allowed in the courtroom.
The White House has refused to comment on these developments.
“This is a developmental case and we will not comment,” said press secretary Karin Jean-Pierre. The president will focus on the American people, as he does” every day.
On his journey, shortly before he reached court, Trump posted on his platform “Truth Social”.
Running for Lower Manhattan, the courthouse. Looks so SURREAL UA, they're gonna arrest me. I can't believe this is happening in America”, Trump wrote.
Trump, 76, is the first former American president to face criminal charges.
The former Republican president, who has denied wrongdoing, has called the indictment “political execution” and predicted this would harm the Democrats in the 2024 elections.
Trump lawyers have said the former president “has committed no crime” and that they “will strongly combat this political prosecution in court”.
Meanwhile, a rally is being held in the city in support of Donald Trump, organised by Republican House Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene.
Greene argued Trump “was joining some of the most wonderful people in history [by being] arrested today”.
“Nelson Mandela was arrested, put in prison. Jesus was arrested and killed by the Roman government”, she said.
Thousands of police officials are standing next to Trump supporters, though no violent scenes are expected.
