By Kamsi Anayo with Agency report
Former United States President Donald Trump has been arrested and arraigned in court.
A Manhattan grand jury had voted to indict former President Donald Trump over hush money paid to pornstar Stormy Daniels, Daily mail reports.
According to four people with knowledge of the matter, this historic arrest will shake up the 2024 presidential race and forever mark him as the nation’s first former president to face criminal charges.
This is the first time a former president has been indicted in U.S. history.
Trump who was the 45th President of the US was “formally charged with 34 felonies relating to falsifying business records around hush money payments during the 2016 presidential campaign on Tuesday.”’
He pleaded not guilty to the charges
related to hush money payments made to adult film star Stormy Daniels in 2016.
Trump left his home at Trump Tower shortly after 13.00 local time (18.00BS).
Trump arrived at the courthouse at 1.24pm amid a heavy security presence from the NYPD and Secret Service as protesters clashed outside the court room.
“However once he was in court, Mr Trump cut a deflated figure as he appeared before New York Supreme Court Justice Juan Merchan for his formal arraignment.
“The ex-president surrendered to the Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg’s office upon arrival at the court at 1.24pm. He was arrested and fingerprinted in a room on the 7th floor of the courthouse building.
“He avoided having being handcuffed or having his mugshot taken.”
Mr Trump was then taken to a courtroom on the 15th floor of the Manhattan Criminal Court, where still photographers were permitted to take shots prior to the beginning of the hearing.
Moments before he emerged from a Secret Service-driven vehicle, the 76-year-old posted on Truth Social: “Heading to Lower Manhattan, the Courthouse. Seems so SURREAL — WOW, they are going to ARREST ME.
“Can’t believe this is happening in America.” The Independent reported
