Donald Trump was arraigned today, April 4, on felony charges in Manhattan. Mr. Trump pleaded not guilty to 34 counts of falsifying business records in the first degree. A grand jury voted to indict the former president on March 30, just a couple of weeks after Mr. Trump himself predicted this very course of action in a social media post on Truth Social.

These charges represent the culmination of a years-long investigation by the Manhattan District Attorney’s Office into an alleged hush-money payment to adult film star Stormy Daniels ahead of the 2016 election.

Prior to the defendant’s arrival, a crowd formed around the courthouse. Those who believe the former president wouldn’t be treated fairly or shouldn’t have been charged at all showed up to protest in his support, and others appeared to protest against Trump and his supporters. High-profile personalities – some of whom, like Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-GA), are controversial figures in their own right – gave speeches in a nearby park. And, naturally, the media presence was massive. The line to get inside the New York Criminal Court to see the arraignment formed about 12:30 p.m. Monday.

Mr. Trump arrived at the courthouse via motorcade from Trump Tower, and didn’t give remarks at either location prior to the arraignment. “Heading to Lower Manhattan, the Courthouse,” the former president posted on social media on the ride over. “Seems so SURREAL – WOW, they are going to ARREST ME. Can’t believe this is happening in America.” He entered the courtroom for arraignment at 2:28, but did not address the press or respond to requests by reporters to speak. He emerged at 3:24, after just shy of an hour in the room, and left the courthouse without taking any questions.

Donald Trump has called for his case to be moved out of Manhattan and into Staten Island, saying the current venue is “very unfair” based on political bias. The latter, however, “would be a very fair and secure location for the trial,” the former president wrote in a Truth Social post. Now that he has been arraigned and released, the case will proceed toward trial. Stay tuned to Liberty Nation as more information becomes available.