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Trump Pleads Not Guilty to 34 Felony Counts
Donald Trump became the first current or former president in United States history to face criminal charges, entering a not-guilty plea to 34 felony counts in a Manhattan courthouse. The indictment stems from an investigation into alleged hush-money payments linked to the 2016 presidential campaign.
Written by AI News Editor
(8h ago)
What happened?
Donald Trump pleaded not guilty to 34 felony counts at his arraignment in a Manhattan courthouse, becoming the first current or former US president in history to face criminal charges.
Why it matters
The case, brought by Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg, centres on alleged hush-money payments to women who claimed extramarital affairs with Trump during the 2016 presidential campaign, which he denies.
Live updates
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Judge to rule Monday on cameras and public access for Trump's arraignment
A ruling is expected on Monday from the judge overseeing Donald Trump's case on whether the grand jury indictment can be unsealed and whether cameras will be permitted inside the courtroom for Tuesday's arraignment. Major news organisations, among them CNN, The New York Times, The Washington Post and The Wall Street Journal, wrote to Judge Juan Merchan on Friday seeking both measures. In their letter, the outlets argued that the right of public access reaches its highest point when applied to the first criminal indictment of a former United States president. Merchan is set to preside over the
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Profile: The judge who will oversee Trump's landmark arraignment on Tuesday
Acting New York Supreme Court Judge Juan Merchan, who will preside over Donald Trump's arraignment on Tuesday, has considerable prior experience with figures from the former president's inner circle. He previously sentenced Trump's long-standing associate Allen Weisselberg to a custodial term, presided over the Trump Organisation tax fraud trial, and handled the criminal fraud case of former adviser Steve Bannon. Despite that history, Trump's arraignment is considered the highest-profile matter of Merchan's career. Those familiar with him describe the judge as rigorous but even-handed,
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Trump to address supporters at Mar-a-Lago on Tuesday evening following arraignment
Donald Trump's campaign has confirmed the former president will make a public statement at his Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida on Tuesday night, after returning from his court appearance in New York. Trump is expected to appear before a Manhattan court on Tuesday afternoon, where sources have told CNN he intends to surrender voluntarily to law enforcement. His legal team has indicated he will contest the charges through formal legal proceedings.
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Trump to fly to New York on Monday ahead of Tuesday arraignment
Donald Trump is due to leave Florida at around midday Eastern time on Monday, with his arrival at LaGuardia Airport expected at approximately 3pm local time. The former president will spend Monday night at Trump Tower. He is set to depart New York immediately after his arraignment on Tuesday and return to Florida, where he will address supporters at his Mar-a-Lago estate. Campaign chiefs Susie Wiles and Chris LaCivita are among the small group of aides and advisers travelling with Trump to New York on Monday afternoon, according to sources with knowledge of the arrangements.
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Ex-Manhattan DA warns Trump's attacks on Bragg could invite obstruction charge
Cy Vance, the former Manhattan district attorney who previously led an investigation into Donald Trump, has warned that the former president's recent public remarks about current DA Alvin Bragg could expose him to an additional obstruction charge. Speaking on NBC's Meet the Press on Sunday, Vance said he found Trump's comments about Bragg and the trial court deeply troubling. He added that, were he acting as Trump's counsel, he would caution his client against making statements that could constitute obstruction of governmental administration — an offence defined as interfering, whether by
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NYC mayor says city faces no credible threats ahead of Trump arraignment
New York City Mayor Eric Adams used his Monday press conference to confirm there were no specific or credible threats to the city linked to Donald Trump's forthcoming court appearance. Adams urged New Yorkers to carry on with their normal routines, though he acknowledged that additional traffic and road closures around lower Manhattan's court buildings could cause disruption. He directed a pointed warning at those considering travelling to the city to demonstrate, telling any would-be troublemakers to control themselves. New York, he said, was a home rather than an outlet for misplaced
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Republican allies of Trump threaten federal funding cuts to Manhattan DA's office
A group of House Republicans is threatening to use the federal appropriations process to penalise the Manhattan District Attorney's office following Donald Trump's indictment. Representative Andy Biggs, a former chairman of the House Freedom Caucus, called for Congress to halt funding to what he described as a weaponised office, arguing it had used federal money to pursue Trump. House Judiciary Committee Chairman Jim Jordan, a close ally of Speaker Kevin McCarthy, echoed that position in a Fox News appearance, indicating that Republicans intended to scrutinise the office's public funding. The
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Trump legal team vows to challenge every aspect of indictment once charges are unsealed
Donald Trump's legal team has pledged to examine and contest every available element of his indictment as soon as the full charges are made public. Lawyer Joe Tacopina, speaking to CNN's State of the Union on Sunday, said his team would not take any substantive action at Tuesday's arraignment itself, as the indictment had not yet been seen. He described plans to dissect the document thoroughly before mounting legal challenges. Trump is due to appear in a Manhattan court on Tuesday, where he will formally learn the charges approved against him by a grand jury. In the run-up to that hearing,
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Profile: Alvin Bragg, the Manhattan DA who brought charges against Trump
Alvin Bragg made history as the first Black district attorney to lead the Manhattan District Attorney's Office. A Harvard law graduate, he previously served as an assistant US attorney in the Southern District of New York before moving into civil rights law. He also taught at New York Law School, where he co-directed its Racial Justice Project. In that role, he represented relatives of Eric Garner, who died in 2014 after a then-serving police officer placed him in an unauthorised chokehold, in civil proceedings against New York City. Bragg has returned to national prominence after a grand
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Trump lawyer argues mugshot unnecessary: 'He's the most recognised face in the world'
Alina Habba, who represents Donald Trump in a number of civil cases, has argued there is no justification for taking a mugshot of the former president. Speaking on CNN, she told presenter Don Lemon that mugshots exist to identify individuals, adding that Trump required no such identification given his global recognition. It remains unclear whether a mugshot will in fact be taken, according to sources with knowledge of the arrangements. Habba also stated she believes the indictment will be unsealed regardless of any legal challenges, and accused Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg of
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Trump campaign claims it raised over $5 million in 48 hours after indictment
Donald Trump's campaign says it received more than five million dollars in donations within 48 hours of his indictment being announced. Campaign spokesman Steven Cheung said the response reflected what he described as widespread public opposition to the prosecution, citing polling data alongside the fundraising figure. He also said more than 16,000 people had signed up to volunteer during the same period. Separately, CNN reported that Trump spent the weekend before his arraignment playing golf, posting on social media, consulting advisers, and contacting political allies, framing the legal
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Six in ten Americans back Trump indictment, CNN poll finds
A majority of Americans approve of the decision to indict former President Donald Trump, according to a CNN poll conducted by SSRS. Sixty per cent of respondents supported the New York grand jury's move to charge Trump in connection with alleged hush money payments to adult film actress Stormy Daniels. Around three-quarters said politics played at least some role in the indictment, with 52 per cent describing it as a major factor. Despite a broad partisan divide, majorities across key demographic groups backed the charges. Approval stood at 62 per cent among women and 58 per cent among men.
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What to expect when Trump faces arraignment in New York on Tuesday
Donald Trump is due to travel to New York this week for an arraignment on Tuesday, following his indictment by a Manhattan grand jury. Questions remain over whether he will be handcuffed and whether the hearing will be broadcast. Several news organisations, including CNN, have petitioned a New York judge to unseal the indictment and to allow live coverage of Tuesday's court appearance. Should the unsealing request be refused, the charges are expected to enter the public record when Trump appears before the court. Presiding over the case is Judge Juan Merchan, an acting New York Supreme Court
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Trump's arraignment marks an unprecedented moment in American history
Donald Trump is set to become the first former United States president to appear in criminal court when he surrenders to authorities in Manhattan on Tuesday. The charges stem from a grand jury's decision last week to indict him over alleged hush money payments to adult film actress Stormy Daniels before the 2016 presidential election. The proceedings carry a particular symbolic resonance: New York is the city where Trump fashioned his public identity as a property developer and popular culture figure. He will appear in court accompanied by Secret Service agents, even as he presses ahead with
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CNN's Borger: Trump has spent decades trying to avoid a day in court
CNN analyst Gloria Borger reflected on Donald Trump's arrival at LaGuardia Airport on the eve of his arraignment, describing the moment as without historical precedent. Speaking to CNN's Dana Bash, Borger said Trump was among the most recognisable figures in the world, yet now stood as a criminal defendant — a combination she said was difficult to process. She argued he had spent decades seeking to avoid legal accountability and suggested he would seek to turn the indictment to political advantage, presenting himself to his supporters as an instrument of retribution.
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Judge expected to rule Monday night on whether arraignment can be broadcast
Acting New York Supreme Court Judge Juan Merchan said he expected to issue a decision on Monday evening regarding a media coalition request to broadcast Donald Trump's arraignment on Tuesday. CNN is among the outlets that submitted the request. Trump's lawyers opposed it, writing to the judge that broadcasting the proceedings would aggravate what they characterised as extraordinary security concerns, including those relating to Secret Service arrangements. The Manhattan District Attorney's office also filed a response to the broadcasters' application, though its full contents were not
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Trump arrives in New York ahead of historic arraignment as courthouse suspends normal activity
Donald Trump, the first former president in American history to face criminal charges, has arrived in New York ahead of his expected arraignment on Tuesday, following his indictment by a Manhattan grand jury the previous week. A source familiar with his plans said he would spend the night at Trump Tower. In preparation for his appearance, the Manhattan courthouse is set to suspend trials and most other scheduled court activity before he is due to arrive on Tuesday.
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Trump touches down in New York ahead of Tuesday arraignment
Donald Trump landed at LaGuardia Airport shortly after 3.25pm ET on Monday, the eve of his expected arraignment at a Manhattan courthouse. The former president, who faces more than 30 counts linked to business fraud according to CNN, will stay overnight at Trump Tower. The indictment remains under seal. Trump is the first sitting or former US president to face criminal charges. The Secret Service is due to escort him to the district attorney's office — located within the same building as the courthouse — early Tuesday afternoon. He is expected to fly back to Florida once the court appearance
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Trump team opposes broadcast of arraignment, citing security and fairness concerns
Lawyers for Donald Trump have written to Acting New York Supreme Court Judge Juan Merchan urging him to reject media applications to televise Tuesday's arraignment. In their letter, Trump's legal team argued that cameras in court would foster a circus atmosphere, raise serious security issues including those involving the Secret Service, and risk undermining the presumption of innocence. The Manhattan district attorney's office has left the decision to the judge rather than taking a position of its own. Court rules require Judge Merchan to weigh potential security implications when
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Trump appoints Todd Blanche as lead counsel for Manhattan criminal case
Donald Trump has engaged Todd Blanche as lead defence counsel for the case brought by the Manhattan district attorney, multiple sources have told CNN. Blanche joins from law firm Cadwalader, Wickersham and Taft, where he was most recently a partner. He has previously acted for former Trump campaign chairman Paul Manafort and Igor Fruman, a one-time associate of Rudy Giuliani who featured prominently in Trump's first impeachment proceedings. Politico first reported the appointment. Existing team members Joe Tacopina and Susan Necheles will remain on the defence. Within Trump's circle,
Donald Trump arrived at New York's LaGuardia Airport on Monday and subsequently entered his plea at a Manhattan courthouse, becoming the first current or former president in United States history to face criminal charges. He pleaded not guilty to 34 felony counts arising from an investigation by Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg into alleged hush-money payments made during the 2016 presidential campaign to women who claimed extramarital affairs with Trump — allegations he denies.
Acting New York Supreme Court Judge Juan Merchan rejected a request from several media organisations to broadcast the arraignment live on television. In his written order, Merchan acknowledged the proceedings carried "monumental significance", writing that "never in the history of the United States has a sitting or past President been indicted on criminal charges" and that "the populace rightly hungers for the most accurate and current information available." While live cameras were barred, the judge permitted five pool photographers to take still images at the outset of the hearing before being directed to vacate the jury box.
Trump's legal team opposed the broadcast request, arguing it would "create a circus-like atmosphere" and raise security concerns, including those relating to the Secret Service. Newly appointed lead counsel Todd Blanche — formerly a partner at Cadwalader, Wickersham & Taft — signed the letter to Merchan alongside existing attorneys Joe Tacopina and Susan Necheles. Trump met with Necheles and Tacopina at Trump Tower on Monday; whether Blanche attended was not confirmed. The Manhattan District Attorney's office declined to take a position on the media request, deferring to the judge's discretion, though prosecutors noted there was no categorical prohibition on cameras during an arraignment under existing New York statutes.
One of Trump's civil attorneys, Alina Habba, told Fox News that the former president was "in good spirits" and ready to proceed. A separate adviser described his mood as "defiant and focused." Trump's team has said they intend to file "substantial" legal challenges and will fight to have the charges dropped.
Members of Trump's legal team advised him to refrain from public comment in New York on the day of the arraignment. Aides said he planned to return to Florida immediately after his court appearance to deliver a prime-time address from Mar-a-Lago — described as a "full-throated defence" of his position across the various investigations he faces.
New York City Mayor Eric Adams said there were "no specific credible threats" connected to Trump's arrival and encouraged New Yorkers to go about their normal activities, while warning of traffic disruptions near lower Manhattan. Adams specifically cautioned Republican congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene, who had announced plans to travel to the city in protest, to "be on your best behaviour," adding: "New York City is our home, not a playground for your misplaced anger."
President Joe Biden, asked about the indictment during a visit to a power generation facility in Fridley, Minnesota, said he had "faith in the New York Police Department" and in the legal system. Senate Homeland Security Chairman Gary Peters said it remained unclear what effect the indictment would have on the Senate's work.
Separately, sources familiar with a distinct federal investigation told CNN that special counsel prosecutors had gathered daily notes, texts, emails and photographs relating to Trump's alleged handling of classified records at Mar-a-Lago, and that grand jury witnesses were being subpoenaed — steps typically associated with the later stages of such an inquiry. That investigation is separate from the Manhattan case.
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Source: CNN