Dueling protests outside court as former President Donald Trump pleads not guilty

Former President Trump back in Florida after court appearance

NEW YORK -- Former President Donald Trump pleaded not guilty to 34 felony counts of falsifying business records at his arraignment Tuesday in New York City. 

Trump flew into LaGuardia Airport on Monday, then spent the night at Trump Tower. 

He left Trump Tower around 1 p.m. to appear in court in Lower Manhattan. He entered the courtroom at 2:28 p.m. and was on the way home to Mar-a-Lago less than two hours later.

Trump is the first ex-president to be indicted on criminal charges.

See below for more details.

 

What's in newly unsealed indictment?

How serious are the charges, and how likely is the former president to be convicted?

We ask Fordham Law School Professor Cheryl Bader these questions and more.

By CBS New York Team
 

Trump claims the charges are politically motivated

Former President Trump back in Florida after court appearance

Former President Donald Trump returned to Mar-a-Lago shortly after his court hearing Tuesday, where he gave a fiery speech to supporters. 

After saying little during his arraignment, Trump lashed out at the prosecutor and judge, claiming the charges are the latest moves by critics to stop him from running for president. 

The former president is accused of falsifying business records to cover up illegal payments to porn star Stormy Daniels and others. 

He also faces three other investigations that could also lead to indictments. 

By Elijah Westbrook
 

Trump arraignment: What happens next?

What comes next in case against Trump?

Former President Donald Trump is facing 34 counts of falsifying business records in the first degree, according to the newly unsealed indictment that was issued by a grand jury last week.

The felony charges could land him in prison for up to four years on each count.

Experts believe his legal team will try to delay the case or get it dismissed.

Trump's next court date will be Dec. 4, just two months before the 2024 Republican presidential primary. 

By John Dias
 

Marcia Kramer on the political fallout from Trump's arraignment

CBS2's Marcia Kramer on the political fallout from Trump's arraignment

CBS2 political reporter Marcia Kramer discusses the political fallout from former president Donald Trump's arraignment.

By Marcia Kramer
 

CBS2's Alice Gainer discusses Trump arraignment

CBS2's Alice Gainer discusses Trump arraignment

Tuesday's arraignment of former president Donald Trump brought journalists from all over the world to New York City. Roughly 50 of them were allowed inside the courtroom, including CBS2's Alice Gainer.

By Alice Gainer
 

Marcia Kramer & legal expert Annie-Marie McAvoy on Trump's arraignment

CBS2 political reporter Marcia Kramer and legal expert Anne-Marie McAvoy join CBS2's Maurice DuBois and Kristine Johnson to discuss former president Donald Trump's arraignment.

By CBS New York Team
 

Supporters welcome Trump back in Florida after arraignment in NYC

Supporters welcome Trump back in Florida after arraignment in NYC

Christian Benavides breaks down what unfolded in court and former president Donald Trump's rally Tuesday.

By CBS New York Team
 

CBS2's Alice Gainer on Trump arraignment

CBS2's Alice Gainer on Trump arraignment

No video cameras were allowed inside the courtroom where former president Donald Trump was arraigned Tuesday. CBS2's Alice Gainer was our eyes and ears inside.

By Alice Gainer
 

Political figures join dueling demonstrations

Political figures join dueling demonstrations outside Manhattan court

Tuesday began with protests outside of Manhattan criminal court as former president Donald Trump made his way inside. Some well-known political figures joined the dueling demonstrations. CBS2's Alecia Reid reports.

CLICK HERE to read the full story. 

By Alecia Reid
 

Trump becomes first U.S. president to be criminally charged

Trump becomes first U.S. president to be criminally charged

Tuesday will go down in the history books as former president Donald Trump became the first United States president to be criminally charged. CBS2's Tim McNicholas reports.

By Tim McNicholas
 

Former president Trump addresses supporters hours after arraignment

Former president Trump addresses supporters hours after arraignment

Former president Donald Trump addressed supporters in Florida on Tuesday evening, hours after pleading not guilty to 34 felony counts of falsifying business records. CBS2 political reporter Marcia Kramer and political expert Basil Smikle join CBS2's Maurice DuBois and Kristine Johnson to break down his speech.

By CBS New York Team
 

CBS2 political reporter Marcia Kramer breaks down Trump's arraignment

CBS2 political reporter Marcia Kramer breaks down Trump's arraignment

Former president Donald Trump entered a Manhattan courtroom at 2:28 p.m. Tuesday and was on the way home to Mar-a-Lago less than two hours later. In between, he faced the music of a 34-count indictment -- felony charges of falsifying business records. CBS2 political reporter Marcia Kramer breaks it all down.

By Marcia Kramer
 

Supporters, critics gather outside Trump Tower

Supporters, critics gather outside Trump Tower

Former president Donald Trump spent parts of the last two days at his private residence in Trump Tower, and supporters and critics gathered outside Tuesday to make their voices heard.

Trump spent less than 24 hours at his 11,000 square foot penthouse, but it was a brief visit that attracted intense interest.

Anti-Trump protesters spent about 45 minutes outside Trump Tower before noon, delighted he's indicted and charged, with a handful of Trump supporters across Fifth Avenue, decrying this as a political witch hunt.

"And honestly, as New Yorkers, as the New York resistance, it kind of feels really good that New York is the place where he's going to face criminal charges first," one protester said.

"Tried to create an indictment on a former president and a presidential, you know, candidate. It's just a sad day in our country. Who's gonna want to be president?" one supporter said.

"It's really satisfying as a New Yorker to see him finally see the inside of a courtroom and face a judge like every other criminal who's indicted of a petty or great, big crime," one protester said.

"There should be corruption beyond. There should not be a he said/she said sexual allegation," one supporter said.

There was still a Secret Service presence outside the skyscraper at 56th and Fifth Avenue on Saturday evening after the arraignment, but the tower with its Trump restaurants and gift shops was open, and tourists were stopping to take pictures and soak up the atmosphere on this unprecedented day.

"It's just a monumental day. I just wanted to come see it and see all the police and all the barricades and all the people," Salt Lake City resident Sarah Phillips said.

All the planning by the Secret Service and NYPD paid off; Trump was moved around town safely, and concerns about major protests did not materialize.

It's worth noting Trump's condo at Trump Tower plays a role in a fraud case brought by the state of New York and set for trial this fall. The attorney general alleges the former president lied about its square footage and value to inflate his net worth.

By Tony Aiello
 

Expert breaks down the legal process former president Trump is facing

There is no precedent for this day as Donald Trump is the first former president to face criminal charges, but we do know how the process works. Hofstra law professor James Sample joined CBS2 to help us navigate the legal process.

By CBS New York Team
 

Sorting out Trump's history-making arraignment

Sorting out Trump's history-making arraignment

Tuesday was a history-making day in the world of criminal justice and politics in New York as former president Donald Trump was arraigned on 34 felony charges. CBS2 political reporter Marcia Kramer helps sort it all out.

By Marcia Kramer
 

CBS2's Alice Gainer shares first-hand account of Trump's arraignment

CBS2's Alice Gainer shares first-hand account of Trump's arraignment

CBS2's Alice Gainer was one of a limited number of reporters allowed inside the courtroom during former president Donald Trump's arraignment Tuesday.

By Alice Gainer
 

Trump pleads not guilty to 34 felony counts

Former president Donald Trump pleads not guilty to 34 felony counts

CBS2's Jessica Moore has details of former president Donald Trump's arraignment.

By CBS New York Team
 

Attorney and political strategist JC Polanco on arraignment

Political strategist JC Polanco on Trump arraignment

Attorney and political strategist JC Polanco joined CBS2 to discuss former president Donald Trump's arraignment.

By CBS New York Team
 

No arrests, but some raucous moments at protests outside court

Protests form as former president Trump is arraigned in Manhattan

Throughout the day Tuesday, it has been a controlled chaos. 

A crush of people have been filling the park outside court throughout the day for dueling protests. 

CLICK HERE to read the full story. 

By Ali Bauman
 

Manhattan DA press conference

Manhattan DA Alvin Bragg speaks following Trump's arraignment

Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg held a press conference Tuesday following the arraignment of former president Donald Trump.

By CBS New York Team
 

CBS2's Alice Gainer on arraignment

CBS2's Alice Gainer on former president Donald Trump's arraignment

CBS2's Alice Gainer reports on what happened inside the courtroom during former president Donald Trump's arraignment Tuesday.

By CBS New York Team
 

Political strategist Hank Sheinkopf on arraignment

Political strategist Hank Sheinkopf on Trump arraignment

Political strategist Hank Sheinkopf joins CBS News New York to discuss the arraignment of former president Donald Trump on Tuesday.

By CBS New York Team
 

Manhattan DA Alvin Bragg releases statement

"Manhattan is home to the country's most significant business market. We cannot allow New York businesses to manipulate their records to cover up criminal conduct. As this office has done time and time again, we today uphold our solemn responsibility to ensure that everyone stands equal before the law," Bragg said in a statement. "We allege Donald Trump and his associates repeatedly and fraudulently falsified New York business records to conceal damaging information and unlawful activity from American voters." 

Bragg was expected to hold a news conference later Tuesday. You can watch it on CBS News New York

By CBS New York Team
 

Read the indictment

CLICK HERE to read the 34-count indictment of former President Donald Trump. (.pdf) 

By CBS New York Team
 

Watch Manhattan DA Alvin Bragg's news conference

Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg will speak to reporters Tuesday after the arraignment of former President Donald Trump. 

His press conference is scheduled to be held at 3:30 p.m. at the Supreme Civil Court, located next to the Manhattan Criminal Court, where Trump pleaded not guilty to 34 counts, including falsifying business records in the first degree. 

CBS News New York

You can watch it live on CBS News New York. 

CLICK HERE for more information. 

By CBS New York Team
 

New York Conservative Party chairman reacts

New York Conservative Party Chairman Gerard Kassar released the following statement about former President Trump's arrest: 

Today's action has more to do with Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg than it does with former President Donald Trump. It's a political prosecution that should chill every American to the core, whether one supports Mr. Trump or not.

Mr. Bragg campaigned on prosecuting Mr. Trump without having seen any evidence of lawbreaking. He promised that, if elected, he'd use the power of his office to destroy the former President and current presidential candidate, and that's what he's now trying to do for political advantage.

This is not how the American judicial system is supposed to work, and even liberals are privately communicating unease with what D.A. Bragg is doing. By setting this frightening new precedent, Mr. Bragg could be opening up the nation to an ugly new type of political warfare. This is a dangerous moment for our nation."

By CBS New York Team
 

Trump pleads not guilty to 34 counts in indictment

Click the article above for additional coverage of the courtroom proceedings by our colleagues at CBS News. 

By CBS New York Team
 

First photos of Trump in court

Former President Donald Trump appears in court for his arraignment, Tuesday, April 4, 2023, in New York. Seth Wenig / AP

The first photos of the former president in court have been released. 

Former President Donald Trump sits at the defense table with his defense team in a Manhattan court, Tuesday, April 4, 2023, in New York. Trump is set to appear in a New York City courtroom on charges related to falsifying business records in a hush money investigation, the first president ever to be charged with a crime. Seth Wenig / AP

The images show Trump flanked by his legal team. 

Former President Donald Trump arrives at court, Tuesday, April 4, 2023, in New York.  Mary Altaffer / AP

CLICK HERE to see more photos. 

By CBS New York Team
 

See it: Moment Trump enters the courtroom

See it: Former president Trump enters courtroom for arraignment
By CBS New York Team
 

Trump expected to address supporters in Florida after appearing in court for arraignment

Former President Donald Trump is expected to address a crowd of supporters at his Florida resort after his arraignment on criminal charges in Manhattan Tuesday. 

The speech is slated for 8:15 p.m. ET from Mar-a-Lago.

The former president has denied all wrongdoing and calls the Manhattan district attorney's case a "witch hunt."  

CLICK HERE for more information. 

By CBS New York Team
 

Security expert: Trump, courthouse surrounded by law enforcement

Trump arraignment: NYPD, FBI and Secret Service all in coordination

Manny Gomez, a security expert and former member of the NYPD and FBI, sheds light on the security measures for today's historic court appearance and potential protests.

By CBS New York Team
 

Who is expected to testify as case continues?

Trump arraignment: All eyes on Manhattan Criminal Court

CBS2's Political Reporter Marcia Kramer breaks down what comes next in the case and takes us step-by-step through what's expected at today's arraignment.

By Marcia Kramer
 

Motorcade transports Trump to Manhattan courthouse

Motorcade transports Trump to Manhattan courthouse

CBS2's Tony Aiello reports from outside Trump Tower, where the former president just left to face his arraignment.

By Tony Aiello
 

Former President Trump arrives for arraignment

Former President Trump arrives for arraignment in Manhattan

CBS2's Jessica Moore walks us through what comes next as the former president is processed and officially arraigned.

By Jessica Moore
 

Trump departs Trump Tower for Manhattan Criminal Court

Former U.S. President Donald Trump pumps his fist as he departs Trump Tower for his arraignment on April 04, 2023 in New York, New York.  Scott Olson / Getty Images

The former president greeted protesters and supporters with a raised fist as he departed Trump Tower for Manhattan Criminal Court. 

By CBS New York Team
 

Watch: CBS News special report

CLICK HERE to watch live.

By CBS New York Team
 

Legal expert: Surrender process explained

Hofstra Law Professor James Sample joins CBS News New York to explain what happens when former President Donald Trump appears in court Tuesday and what comes next in the case.

By CBS New York Team
 

What to expect when indictment unsealed

Trump arraignment: What to expect when indictment unsealed

CBS2's Political Reporter Marcia Kramer has a closer look at the charges the former president is expected to face Tuesday in Manhattan.

By Marcia Kramer
 

Watch special continuing coverage

CBS News New York
By CBS New York Team
 

Political implications for Manhattan DA Bragg

Trump arraignment: Manhattan DA Bragg in national spotlight

Former President Donald Trump isn't the only person in the spotlight as he faces arraignment Tuesday in New York City

Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg is also taking center stage.

CBS2's Political Reporter Marcia Kramer provides some context on the political implications for Bragg.

CLICK HERE for her full report.

By Marcia Kramer
 

Trump indictment may contain surprises

Awaiting more details about indictment against former President Trump

The indictment remains sealed, but we know there are roughly 30 counts related to business fraud. Experts tell CBS2's Jessica Moore we may be surprised by the details uncovered inside.

By Jessica Moore
 

Trump expected at courthouse soon

Former President Trump hours away from arraignment

We have team coverage outside Trump Tower and the Manhattan Criminal Courthouse as Trump becomes the first former president to be arraigned on criminal charges. CBS2's Tony Aiello has the latest.

By Tony Aiello
 

Chopper 2 over protests

Chopper 2 over Donald Trump arraignment

Chopper 2 is checking out the situation in Lower Manhattan as former President Donald Trump faces arraignment. Watch more on CBS News New York: https://cbsn.ws/3Uycq1M Read more: http://cbsn.ws/3U6wTf4

Posted by CBS New York on Tuesday, April 4, 2023

Chopper 2 was over the scene as protesters gathered in Lower Manhattan. 

By CBS New York Team
 

Dueling protests held outside courthouse

Protesters, police swarm Lower Manhattan ahead of Trump arraignment

Hundreds of people gathered in Lower Manhattan Tuesday for dueling protests during the historic arraignment of former President Donald Trump.   

On one side, there were Trump supporters, including Rep. Marjorie Taylor-Greene and Rep. George Santos, along with the New York Young Republicans Club. 

On the other side, there were people against Trump, including Rep. Jamal Bowman and Public Advocate Jumaane Williams. They said they were there to show relief about the indictment, and be a show of force in New York against the former president. 

CLICK HERE to read more.  

By Ali Bauman
 

Manhattan DA Bragg expected to speak

Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg arrives at the courthouse in lower Manhattan on Tuesday, April 4, 2023.  Alex Kent/Bloomberg via Getty Images

Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg will hold a press conference following the arraignment, his office said Monday night. 

CBS News New York plans to stream the briefing live this afternoon.

By CBS New York Team
 

What is an arraignment?

An arraignment is the first time a person appears in court in front of a judge and are told what they are being charged with. The defendant is read their rights, including the right to have an attorney appointed if they can't afford one. (Trump, of course, has his own legal team.) Then they tell the court if they plead guilty or not guilty to the charges. At that point, if the defendant is fighting the charges, the judge may set a date for a future hearing or trial.

CLICK HERE to find out more.  

 

See photos from the scene

By CBS New York Team
 

CBS News: No mugshot expected

Trump is not expected to have a mugshot taken when he is processed Tuesday, according to two sources familiar with the plans for his arrest. 

He is also not expected to be placed in handcuffs, since he will be surrounded by law enforcement.

CLICK HERE for the latest from CBS News.

By CBS New York Team
 

A look at anti-Trump protesters at the courthouse

CBS News New York's Ali Bauman snapped a shot of protesters who are opposed to the former president. 

By CBS New York Team
 

Rep. George Santos in Lower Manhattan

Congressman George Santos was spotted outside the courthouse Tuesday morning. 

He was surrounded by members of the media as he arrived.   

CLICK HERE for more from his appearance.

By CBS New York Team
 

Scenes around courthouse in Lower Manhattan

CBS News New York's Alice Gainer will be among the handful of journalists inside the courtroom for the arraignment. She tweeted a video as more media members gathering outside. 

Ali Bauman is also on the ground in Lower Manhattan, where there are swarms of police, journalists and protesters. 

By CBS New York Team
 

Preview of arraignment process

Law professor explains Trump's arraignment process

Cheryl Bader, a Fordham law professor and former federal prosecutor, walks us through what to expect from today's court appearance. 

By CBS New York Team
 

NYPD, FBI and Secret Service working in tandem

NYPD working with Secret Service for Trump's arraignment

Dr. Darrin Porcher, a retired NYPD lieutenant and professor of criminal justice at Pace University, breaks down the logistics behind Trump's court appearance, followed by tonight's return to Mar-a-Lago.

By CBS New York Team
 

Police and press line up for live shots

By CBS New York Team
 

Trump arraignment: Timing and what to expect

Trump spends night in Midtown ahead of arraignment

Sources have given us an idea of what to expect on this historic day for the former president. 

Timing will be fluid, but we're told Trump and his team will depart for the Manhattan Criminal Courthouse by motorcade at some point between 11:15 a.m. and noon. 

CLICK HERE for more details. 

By Elijah Westbrook
 

No cameras allowed in court

Trump due in court for historic arraignment Tuesday

The 45th president of the United States is set to assume the role of criminal defendant. 

Sources say Trump may stand for a mugshot, but he will not be handcuffed. 

There will also be no video cameras allowed inside 100 Centre Street, only still photography. 

Sources say Trump will likely be charged with falsifying business records in the first degree -- a felony stemming from his alleged role in hush money paid to adult film star Stormy Daniels back in 2016. 

CLICK HERE for more from CBS News.

By Natalie Duddridge
 

Journalists camp outside court overnight

Press lined up overnight to access Trump's arraignment

Reporters, photographers and producers lined up overnight for a spot at today's arraignment. 

A limited number of journalists will be allowed inside the courtroom, possibly along with members of the public.

By John Dias
 

NYPD's unprecedented security task

NYPD faces unprecedented security task amid Trump arraignment

The NYPD says it's ready for the unprecedented security task at hand when former President Donald Trump is arraigned in Lower Manhattan. 

Police Commissioner Keechant Sewell says the department prepared for the former president's arrival for weeks. 

While the NYPD says there are no credible threats to the city, the department ordered all 35,000 officers to be in uniform and on standby.   

CLICK HERE for the full story.

By Ali Bauman
 

How does Trump's indictment affect 2024 race?

How will Trump's indictment impact 2024 elections?

CBS2's political reporter Marcia Kramer takes a closer look at how the former president's indictment could impact the 2024 presidential election.  

By Marcia Kramer
 

See It: Trump lands at LaGuardia Airport

Watch: Trump lands in New York before arraignment

Watch: Trump lands in New York before arraignment

Watch: Security expert on how NYPD prepared for Trump's arrival

Security expert on how NYPD prepared for Trump's arrival

Watch: Former Pres. Trump's motorcade arrives at Trump Tower

Watch: Former Pres. Trump's motorcade arrives at Trump Tower
By CBS New York Team
 

Mayor Adams tells "rabble-rousers" to "control yourselves"

Adams tells potential Trump protesters to "control yourselves"

NYPD Commissioner Keechant Sewell and Mayor Eric Adams say there are "no specific, credible threats," as former President Donald Trump prepares to face arraignment Tuesday in New York City. 

"While there may be some rabble-rousers thinking about coming to our city tomorrow, our message is clear and simple: Control yourselves," Adams said Monday. "New York City is our home, not a playground for your misplaced anger."  

Adams specifically called out Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene and told her to "be on your best behavior."

"Our job is to facilitate and safeguard the rights of people to express themselves and those going about their daily activities, but I will remind everyone that violence and destruction are not part of legitimate, lawful expression, and it will never be tolerated in our city," Sewell added.

Officials urged New Yorkers to expect traffic and to use mass transit. They also said there will be street closures near the courts in Lower Manhattan and elsewhere around the city. 

By CBS New York Team
 

The Point: N.Y. Republicans on impact of indictment

"It's a very weak case": New York GOP chair discusses Trump indictment

New York GOP Chair Ed Cox and former U.S. Rep. Lee Zeldin weighed in on the case against Trump with CBS2's CBS2's political reporter Marcia Kramer. 

Lee Zeldin, former GOP congressman & candidate for governor, reacts to Trump indictment

CLICK HERE for their full interviews.

By Marcia Kramer
 

What comes next in case?

What comes next in Trump indictment?
By CBS New York Team
 

Timeline of alleged "hush money"

La estrella erótica estadounidense Stormy Daniels inaugura la feria erótica "Venus" en el recinto ferial de Berlín.  Ralf Hirschberger/picture alliance via Getty Images
By CBS New York Team
f

We and our partners use cookies to understand how you use our site, improve your experience and serve you personalized content and advertising. Read about how we use cookies in our cookie policy and how you can control them by clicking Manage Settings. By continuing to use this site, you accept these cookies.