Former US President Donald Trump has sought legal counsel at Trump Tower in New York City as he prepares to face historic criminal charges. The charges stem from an investigation into hush money payments made just prior to the 2016 election to a porn star who alleges a sexual encounter with Trump. The former president denies any wrongdoing.
With the Manhattan court hearing set for Tuesday, extra security measures have been implemented, and protests are expected. At 76 years old, Trump is the first ex-president to face criminal charges.
On his Truth Social platform, the Republican wrote "WITCH HUNT" shortly before leaving his Florida home for New York, drawing blanket coverage across US news channels.
Dozens of police, court officers, and Secret Service agents are expected to escort Trump through the streets of New York to the Lower Manhattan court complex on Tuesday morning. The charges will be disclosed in full at the hearing scheduled for approximately 14:15 local time (19:15 BST), and his lawyers have indicated that he will plead not guilty.
According to US media, Trump faces at least one felony charge in the case, with other reports suggesting approximately 30 counts in his indictment.
In relation to the payment made by his former attorney, Michael Cohen, to adult film star Stormy Daniels before the 2016 presidential election, Mr Trump has been under investigation over a $130,000 (£105,000) wire transfer. While he has denied any sexual encounter with Ms Daniels, the Manhattan prosecutor has been investigating whether business records were falsified in relation to the payment. Hush money agreements are not illegal.
Media outlets, which included Judge Juan Merchan, lobbied to allow cameras inside the court. Mr Trump's legal team opposed this, stating that it would "create a circus-like atmosphere at the arraignment". On Monday night, Judge Merchan ruled that some press photographers would be permitted to take pictures for several minutes before the arraignment formally commences.
While Mr Trump is expected to be released on bail and return to his Florida home Mar-a-Lago on Tuesday evening, he is scheduled to deliver remarks at 20:15 local time.
As the former president's legal team grows with the addition of Todd Blanche, a white-collar criminal defence lawyer and ex-federal prosecutor who previously represented onetime Trump campaign chairman Paul Manafort, his 2024 White House campaign has raised over $8m since news of the charges against him broke last week.
At a news conference on Monday, New York City Mayor Eric Adams warned any potential "rabble-rousers" to "control yourselves". Georgia congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene plans to hold a pro-Trump rally near the court on Tuesday.
New York officials say they have not seen any influx of protesters to the city in recent days, unlike the days preceding the Capitol riot in 2021 by Trump supporters. President Joe Biden, speaking at an event in the state of Minnesota on Monday, expressed confidence in the New York Police Department's ability to manage any potential unrest.
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