Trump Surrenders At Manhattan Criminal Courthouse—And Calls Arrest ‘Surreal’ Moment

Topline

Former President Donald Trump arrived at criminal court in Manhattan on Tuesday for his historic arraignment, which he called a “surreal” moment in a post on Truth Social, just minutes before he was expected to surrender and be arrested on charges related to a 2016 hush-money scheme.

Former President Donald Trump leaves Trump Tower in New York on Tuesday, April 4, 2023. Trump will … [+] surrender in Manhattan on Tuesday to face criminal charges stemming from 2016 hush money payments. (AP Photo/Bryan Woolston)

Key Facts

Trump’s motorcade left Trump Tower and drove to a lower Manhattan courthouse around 1 p.m., before the former president walked into court without speaking to the throngs of reporters and spectators gathered outside.

Before entering the courthouse, Trump alerted his Truth Social audience he was heading downtown: “Seems so SURREAL — WOW, they are going to ARREST ME. Can’t believe this is happening in America. MAGA!” he wrote.

Trump will be formally arrested, fingerprinted and booked into the system before he is escorted to a room where he will wait to appear before Judge Juan Merchan at 2:15 p.m.

GOP Reps. Marjorie Taylor Greene (Ga.) and George Santos (N.Y.) made brief appearances at demonstrations outside the courthouse, but quickly left when they were drowned out by counter-protesters banging drums and blowing whistles, videos show.

Tangent

Greene vowed to travel to Manhattan on Friday, the day after Trump was indicted, and urged Trump supporters to join her at the 10:30 a.m. protest hosted by the New York Young Republican Club. Ahead of her appearance at the protest Tuesday morning, she tweeted that counter-demonstrators were “coming to commit assault that can cause audible damage to everyone’s ears including NYPD,” linking to a notice put out by the counter-protest organizers that urged people to “come make some noise to shut down her hate, lies and nonstop ridiculousness!” Santos, who is facing allegations of a vast lying scheme and possible campaign finance violations, told reporters this “isn’t about him” and that he was there to support Trump. Videos showed the pro- and anti-Trump groups heckling each other across barricades set by the New York Police Department to divide the two groups.

Crucial Quote

New York City Mayor Eric Adams warned Greene and “people like [her]” to “be on [their] best behavior” while visiting Manhattan on Monday, flanked by NYPD Commissioner Keechant Sewell. “Control yourselves,” he said. “New York City is our home, not a playground for your misplaced anger.” Greene fired back at Adams’ warning on Tuesday, urging police to arrest counter-protesters if they “are violating freedom of speech and committing assault,” she tweeted, lamenting that “Mayor Adams warns me by name!”

Key Background

Trump became the first former president in U.S. history to be indicted when a Manhattan grand jury voted to bring charges against him on Thursday. While the charges against him are under seal and have yet to be made public, Trump will reportedly face more than 30 counts related to business fraud in connection to a 2016 deal his former lawyer and fixer Michael Cohen made with adult film star Stormy Daniels in exchange for her silence about their alleged affair.

What To Watch For

Trump is expected to plead not guilty before a Manhattan criminal court judge at 2:15 p.m. ET.

What We Don’t Know

Whether Trump will get a mugshot. Experts have speculated that a photo may not be necessary, given his appearance is widely known. New York laws prohibit law enforcement from distributing mugshots, though they are often leaked to the press in high-profile cases.