Today is the day that former President Donald Trump will appear before Judge Juan Merchan in Manhattan for his arraignment for his indictment on multiple felony counts. Trump traveled to New York City yesterday from Florida, where he spent the night in his Trump Tower residence before reporting to the courthouse today.
Trump is expected to appear before Judge Merchan this afternoon around 2:15 p.m., and it’s been revealed that he won’t be placed in handcuffs, nor will there be a mugshot taken. The former President still plans to address his supporters from Mar-a-Lago tonight, but speculation that the judge will place a “gag order” on Trump to prevent him from speaking about the case could change those plans if the order is issued.
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Judge Merchan decided yesterday that no cameras will be allowed in the courtroom for the arraignment, although five pool still photographers will be allowed to take pictures before the arraignment formally begins. No electronic devices will be allowed in the main or overflow courtrooms.
Former President Trump hired a new attorney yesterday, bringing Todd Blanche on board ahead of today’s arraignment. A source told Fox News Digital that he’ll be “additional firepower” for the legal team.
James Trusty, who’s representing Trump in the investigation into his handling of classified documents, told CBS News that the case Trump’s being indicted for is “ripe for motions,” and he expects a motion to dismiss the charges from Trump’s team.
New York City Mayor Eric Adams said in a press conference yesterday that the NYPD knows of “no specific credible threat” in connection to today’s arraignment but warned Marjorie Taylor Greene to “be on your best behavior.”
Other investigations are ongoing into Trump, including into his handling of classified information at his Mar-a-Lago estate. Special Counsel Jack Smith has now subpoenaed multiple U.S. Secret Service agents connected to Trump’s security detail to testify in the investigation.
In an appearance on Sean Hannity’s radio show yesterday, Sen. Lindsey Graham said the indictment will actually help the former President in his 2024 campaign, telling Hannity that it “almost ensures” that Trump will be the GOP nominee.
(Photo by Michael M. Santiago/Getty Images)
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