Trump to surrender to criminal charges, supporters speak out
FORT LAUDERDALE - An extraordinary moment in U.S. history is scheduled to unfold in a Manhattan courthouse Tuesday: Former President Donald Trump, who faces multiple election-related investigations, will surrender to face criminal charges stemming from 2016 hush money payments.
The booking and arraignment are likely to be relatively brief - though hardly routine - as Trump is fingerprinted, learns the exact charges against him and pleads, as expected, not guilty.
Trump boarded his private plane at Palm Beach International Airport for a flight to New York where he will be arraigned Tuesday.
Details of the charge or charges against him remain under seal, but a grand jury has been conducting an investigation related to a payment that Trump's lawyer made to adult film star Stormy Daniels before the 2016 presidential election. Daniels in turn agreed to keep silent about an affair she said she had with Trump in 2006.
A source familiar with the investigation told CBS News that Trump will likely be charged with falsifying business records in the first degree.
The former president has denied any involvement with Daniels and called the indictment "Political Persecution and Election Interference at the highest level in history" in a statement on Thursday.
On Monday, supporters waving flags that read, "Trump Won," "Save Our Country Again," and "I Stand With Trump," gathered on Southern Boulevard near the airport where Trump departed in a private jet. Other supporters lined up near Mar-a-Lago.
In all, hundreds of demonstrators lined the route from Mar-a-Lago to an airport entrance off Southern Boulevard. Trump's entourage left Mar-a-Lago at 1220 pm and at 12:59 pm, his jet was airborne.
"I think it's an injustice. I can't understand how they can move forward with that, especially with a former president," said Dr. Anthony Martin.
Martin, who called himself a "snowbird" from Sudbury, Ontario in Canada, told CBS Miami's Peter D'Oench "I think this is going to backfire. I really do. I think he is gaining momentum and I see this as a real turnaround for him. And from everything I have read the charges are bogus."
"All these things that have transpired, they are evil, and evil will not prevail. I am waiting for the victory, to hear that they have nothing on this man," said Cindy Falco-DiCorrado. She said, "It is so important for me to be here today because this is history in the making and I am out to support Donald J. Trump because he is our Commander in Chief. He stands by the people and is for the people. So many of our people in government right now are not for the people. It is time for all of America to wake up."
Another demonstrator Jillian Anthony said, "I just really want to stand for righteousness. That is all I want to say. We are supporting him by letting him see us here. He knows we care and good is good and right is right."
Demonstrator Bruce Anthony said, "It'll affect him yes. His popularity will go higher and higher and people are tired of the injustice. We can see our country slipping and slipping from morality and for lawlessness."
According to law enforcement, Trump will fly into LaGuardia Airport in Queens. He will stay overnight in Trump Tower and then will voluntarily turn himself over to law enforcement. He will be fingerprinted and have a mug shot taken.
"He will be given a booking number. At the time that he receives that booking number, he is officially 'under arrest'," said CBS News legal analyst Rikki Klieman.
Once the booking is complete, he will appear before a judge for arraignment, this is set for 2:15 p.m.
New York police have amped up their security presence in New York City ahead of his arrival.
After the court hearing, Trump will fly back to Palm Beach. He's expected to speak at Mar-a-Lago at 8:15 p.m.