In a historic moment for the United States, former US President Donald Trump declared himself innocent in a packed Manhattan hall, where he was reportedly accosted 34 felony charges for falsifying business records. The indictment – the first against a former president – was unsealed in a brief proceeding before Judge Juan Mercan.

Trump left the courthouse and his motorcade began to pull away from Lower Manhattan. Trump made no statement as he left court. He is expected to “address the nation” on the case when he returns to his mansion in Mar-a-Lago, Florida.

Trump, 76, is the first former president to be indicted.

A sullen Donald Trump appeared briefly before television crews as he entered the courtroom, where he also did not make a statement. Ignored a question of a reporter who yelled, “President Trump, do you want to talk to us?”

Earlier, before appearing before Judge Merchan, Trump turned himself in to the Manhattan District Attorney’s office Alvin Bragg. He was fingerprinted but not photographed or handcuffed.

The prosecutor accused Trump of “threatening” posts and statements

Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg expressed concerns about the effect Trump’s “threatening” social media posts could have on jurors and witnesses. Before his arrest, Trump warned of “potential death and destruction” on the social media platform Truth Social, where he posted a fake image of himself swinging a baseball bat at Bragg.

The prosecutor is “very concerned” about these posts and their potential impact on jurors and witnesses, who are seeking a protective order to protect witnesses.

Prosecutor Alvin Bragg will hold a press conference after the proceedings.

“WOW, I’M GONNA BE ARREST”

“Heading for Lower Manhattan, the Courthouse. It seems so SURAL – WOW I’M GOING TO BE ARREST,” Trump wrote earlier in a post on the social media platform Truth Social, as he headed in his motorcade to the courthouse. “I can not believe it that this is happening in America. MAGA!” (s.s. MAGA – Make America Great Again).

Meanwhile, the former US president criticized the judge expected to preside over his case in a post on Truth Social. Trump attacked the judge (Juan Mercan) and his family, without naming them, claiming they are well known for “hate them for Trump” and arguing that a potential trial (under Merchan) “wouldn’t be fair.” At the same time, he claimed that Merchan’s daughter worked for the election campaign of the current vice president, Kamala Harris. “Mock court,” the post concludes.

Trump called it “very unfair” that he would be brought to Manhattan “where some areas voted 1% Republican” and suggested the case be moved to neighboring Staten Island, a “very fair and safe location” that is more Republican-friendly. Party.

The former US president has repeatedly attacked the Manhattan judge and district attorney on social media.

“Protests must be peaceful”

The Democratic senator in New York Chuck Schumer, the Senate majority leader, said Tuesday: “I believe Donald Trump will have a fair trial based on the facts and the law. There is no place in our judicial system for any outside influence or intimidation of the legal process. As the trial proceeds, protest is an American right, but all protests must be peaceful.”