Trump faces criminal charges in court after historic indictment

48 minutes ago

Trump didn't speak the way his advisers had expected him to before entering court

Former President Donald Trump didn't make a public statement before entering the courtroom. This was something that some advisors expected him to do.

Alyssa Griffin, former Trump White House Communications Director, said: "We thought he would make a short statement before entering, so I find it notable that he did not." "That suggests to me that what he read in the indictment may go further than he anticipated," said Alyssa Farah Griffin, former Trump White House communications director.

Griffin stated that his absence of a public statement could indicate "the attorneys may be at odds with the communications advisers."

CNN reported earlier on Tuesday that former President Obama planned to give a brief speech before entering the courtroom. According to Chris Kise, one of Trump’s attorneys, he will speak to cameras outside the Manhattan courtroom following his arraignment.

The grand jury's indictment will reveal details about more than 30 charges Trump faces.

1 hr and 3 min ago

Watch the first image of Trump in the courtroom

The former president Donald Trump is flanked by his lawyers in Manhattan Criminal Court.

1 hr and 4 min ago

What about those glass doors Trump emerged through?

Shimon Prokupecz, CNN

Normaly, the glass doors of Manhattan Criminal Court where former President Donald Trump briefly emerged with his lawyer are not blacked-out.

This is just one more of the many extra security measures that are being taken.

54 minutes ago

Trump's criminal trial is underway

CNN Staff

Donald Trump, the first former President in history to be charged with criminal offenses, has entered New York's courtroom for arraignment and is expected not to plead guilty.

The grand jury's indictment will reveal details about the charges that he faces. The grand jury indictment is the result of an investigation into a payment of hush funds made to adult movie actress Stormy Daniels, during the 2016 campaign for president.

Remember: A judge said that news outlets would not be allowed to broadcast the arraignment in real time, as several media organizations had requested, including CNN.

Before the hearing starts, five still photographers will be permitted to take photos of Trump and his courtroom.

1 hr 48 min ago

White House: President Biden "obviously will" catch Trump coverage, but it is "not his main focus."

CNN's Betsy Klein

The White House confirmed Tuesday that President Joe Biden was aware of the arraignment of his predecessor and would 'obviously" catch the news. However, it stressed that this is not his main focus.

"Look, the President will focus on the American public like he always does. It's not his main focus. In response to a CNN question, White House Press Secretary Karine Jean Pierre said that he would focus on making sure the American people continue to enjoy lower prices.

She said, "Of course, it is played out daily on many networks in the United States, so he will catch a part of the news if he can catch up with the news for the day. But this is not the focus of his attention today."

Biden will meet his Council of Advisors on Science and Technology today for a discussion on artificial intelligence, as the former President Trump is arraigned in Manhattan.

Jean-Pierre refused to comment on specifics, but he reiterated that Biden 'wasn't given a head up' about the indictment. He was instead briefed on media reports by White House Chief of Staff Jeff Zients.

Biden, who has refused to comment on this case repeatedly, told CNN in Minnesota on Monday that he had faith in New York Police Department. He also responded positively when asked whether he believed in the legal system.

1 hr and 35 min ago

Trump Posts on Truth Social: It "Seems SURREAL".

Brian Rokus, CNN

The former president Donald Trump wrote on Truth Social while he was on his way to the Manhattan District Attorney's Office and courthouse in preparation for his arraignment:

"Heading towards Lower Manhattan and the Courthouse. It's SURREAL! WOW, they will arrest me. This is not happening in America. MAGA!'

2 hr and 5 min ago

Here are the main players in Donald Trump's arraignment

Former President Donald Trump arrived at the Manhattan District Attorney's Office in lower Manhattan. He is currently in police custody and under arrest before his upcoming court appearance.

Trump will soon be brought before a courtroom to be charged.

Here are the key players in this momentous event in US history.

2 hr. 13 min.

What's expected to happen inside the Manhattan Courthouse

CNN Staff

Donald Trump is currently in custody at the Manhattan District Attorney's Office ahead of his arraignment today in court where he would become the first US President in history, current or past, to be charged with criminal offenses.

We know the following about the next events, even though many details surrounding his arraignment are still unknown:

2 hr and 18 min ago

Trump arrested ahead of his arraignment

CNN's Jeremy Herb

Former President Donald Trump arrived at the Manhattan District Attorney's Office in lower Manhattan. He is currently in police custody and under arrest before his upcoming court appearance.

Trump will likely be fingerprinted during the arrest. However, it is not yet known if a mugshot of him will be taken. The next step will be to bring him to court, where he'll be arraigned. This is a routine and quick appearance but it represents an historic and surreal moment in US History.

Trump will not be handcuffed after his arrest as he is under the constant protection of law enforcement.