Former US President Donald Trump arrived in New York City on Monday via his private plane to address charges related to the hush money paid to an adult film actress. In the meantime, his attorneys argued against allowing camera coverage in the courtroom. As New York strengthens security measures and the mayor calls for calm, Trump is expected to surrender at the Manhattan District Attorney's Office on Tuesday, where he will likely be fingerprinted before pleading not guilty during an arraignment.
The 76-year-old Republican, who seeks to reclaim the presidency in 2024, is the first former US president to face criminal charges. Trump's plane, adorned with his name and an American flag, landed at LaGuardia Airport in Queens after a 3.5-hour flight from West Palm Beach near his Florida residence.
Dressed in a blue suit with a red tie, Trump disembarked his plane and entered an SUV, which transported him to Trump Tower in Manhattan as part of a motorcade. He waved to onlookers before entering Trump Tower without making any public statements.
Todd Blanche, a distinguished white-collar criminal defense lawyer and former federal prosecutor, has been hired to bolster Trump's legal team. On Monday, Blanche and other attorneys for Trump urged the judge to prohibit videography, photography, and radio coverage of the arraignment. They argued in a letter to the court that such coverage would intensify the "circus-like atmosphere" surrounding the case and undermine the dignity and decorum of the proceedings.
Justice Juan Merchan is expected to make a decision on the matter. The Manhattan District Attorney's Office has left the decision up to the judge's discretion but pointed out that Merchan allowed a limited number of still photos before last year's trial in which Trump's real estate company was convicted of tax fraud.
The specific charges in the indictment by a grand jury convened by Democratic Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg remain undisclosed. Trump maintains his innocence and claims the charges are politically motivated.