3:20 p.m. Tuesday
The Washington Post reported that Judge Juan Merchan told Donald Trump, “Please refrain from making statements that are likely to incite violence or civil unrest … making comments that have potential to incite violence, create civil unrest [or] jeopardize the state or well-being of any individuals.”
The newspaper said he asked Trump not to give speeches that will “jeopardize the rule of law.”
Trump is expected to comment later Tuesday when he returns to his home in Florida.
3:15 p.m.
Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg held a press conference outside court after former President Trump’s not-guilty plea Tuesday on 34 felony charges.
Bragg said under New York state law, it is a crime to commit a crime to cover up other crimes.
“We cannot and will not normalize criminal content,” Bragg said.
Bragg was asked why it took so long to bring the case. The charges are related to hush-money payments before the 2016 presidential election.
Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg said his office brought the case against former president Donald Trump when it was ready.
“I bring cases when they’re ready. Having now conducted a rigorous, thorough investigation, the case was ready to be brought, and it was brought,” Bragg said.
3:05 p.m.
Donald Trump’s attorney made comments after Tuesday’s arraignment.
Todd Blanche said prosecutors were turning a political issue into political prosecution. He said Trump was “frustrated” and “upset.”
“It was not a good day. I don’t expect this to happen in this country. You don’t expect this to happen to somebody who was president of the United States,” Blanche said.
2:55 p.m.
The next in-person hearing for former President Donald Trump was set for December 4.
The Washington Examiner reported all of the felony counts are the lowest-level felony charge in New York.
Even if Trump were convicted, it is unlikely he would serve jail time, the newspaper reported.
2:35 p.m.
Former President Donald Trump did not make comments after leaving a Manhattan courtroom.
Inside the arraignment, Trump was charged with 34 counts of falsifying business records in the first degree.
Prosecutor Chris Connolly did not ask a gag order in the case.
2 p.m. Tuesday
Former President Donald J. Trump made an appearance in a Manhattan court on Tuesday afternoon and pleaded not guilty to 34 felony charges.
The 45th U.S. president became the first in American history to be charged in a criminal case.
The counts unsealed in court include accusations that Trump tried to cover up hush money to a porn star just before he was elected in 2016.
Trump was arrested and fingerprinted but not handcuffed or placed in a cell as typical for felony cases. He was released on his own recognizance.
Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg’s office brought the charges against Trump. It worked with the Secret Service and New York Police Department to facilitate Trump’s appearance.
The frontrunner for the 2024 Republican presidential nomination, 76, flew to New York on Monday from his home in West Palm Beach, Florida.
“WITCH HUNT, as our once great Country is going to HELL!” Trump posted on social media before leaving Florida.
Before leaving Trump Tower for court Tuesday, Trump posted on social media that his case should be moved to Staten Island.
“VERY UNFAIR VENUE, WITH SOME AREAS THAT VOTED 1% REPUBLICAN,” Trump wrote. He also posted: “Heading to Lower Manhattan, the Courthouse. Seems so SURREAL — WOW, they are going to ARREST ME. Can’t believe this is happening in America. MAGA!”
There was no video of Trump’s arraignment. On Monday, Judge Juan Merchan ruled live video coverage would not be allowed. He allowed five photographers in before the appearance to take pictures for several minutes until he ordered them to leave.
Trump’s lawyers opposed photography and videography, saying it would “exacerbate an already almost circus-like atmosphere around this case,” Reuters reported.
TV reports showed protesters, including Trump supporters and those in favor of the indictment, near the courthouse before and after the businessman appeared.
New York City police lined the streets leading to the court.
U.S. Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, R-Georgia, and U.S. Rep. George Santos, R-New York, were two of the protesters Tuesday. She left after her comments were shouted down by hecklers, Fox News reported.
“This is a travesty,” Greene said.
New York City Mayor Eric Adams wanted protesters to be on their “best behavior.”
