As it happened: Donald Trump indictment live: Ex-president slams case in Mar-a-Lago speech

Summary

Donald Trump has given a defiant address to his supporters after becoming the first former US president to face a criminal charges
Trump pleaded not guilty to 34 criminal charges during a historic court hearing in New York on Tuesday
He returned to Florida immediately after where he told an audience that the case was "an insult to our country"
"Our country is going to hell," he said, listing all the ways that he claims to have been persecuted
Trump also lashed out at the judge and prosecutors and claimed the case against him was politically-motivated
The 2024 White House contender is accused of falsifying business records to cover up hush payments to two women during his 2016 election run
Trump's team will have until August to file any motions against the case. The next court hearing is set for December

Live Reporting

Edited by Nathan Williams and Alex Therrien

New to this story? Start herepublished at 12:27 British Summer Time 4 April 2023
Image source, Reuters
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Members of the media have gathered outside Trump Tower in New York
Donald Trump is being charged with a crime in relation to a payment he made to a porn star.
This is happening as he campaigns to become president again, in the 2024 election. Here is what the case is about:
- Stormy Daniels says she had an affair with Trump in 2006, which he has always denied
- In 2016 she tried to sell her account of what happened to the media. Trump's lawyer, Michael Cohen, paid her $130,000 (£105,000) to keep quiet. That kind of payment is called hush money
- That's not illegal but what has got Trump into trouble is how that payment was recorded in his accounts. He is accused of falsifying his business records by saying the payment was for legal fees
- As it happened just before Americans were due to vote, it may also violate laws about payments that help an election campaign
- There will now be a trial where Trump will make his case. He has denied any wrongdoing
- If he's found guilty, the most likely outcome is a fine but there is also a chance he could be sent to prison
- As for his election campaign, there's nothing in the US constitution to prevent Trump from continuing his campaign to become president again now he is being charged
Read more in our simple guide here.
'Day of the Don': Trump dominates US front pagespublished at 12:09 British Summer Time 4 April 2023
Marita Moloney
Live reporter
Several front pages of today's newspapers in the US feature the news of Donald Trump's historic arraignment, described as the "Day of the Don" by the New York Post.
The New York Times and The Washington Post focus on security concerns in the city, with comments from New York City major Eric Adams urging protesters to behave.
Trump's arrival yesterday was described as a "historic surrender" by New York's Daily News, while USA Today reports that his indictment turns the 2024 presidential race "on its head".
Image source, New York Post
Image source, New York Times
Image source, USA Today
NYPD braces for Trump protestspublished at 11:58 British Summer Time 4 April 2023
Image source, Getty Images
There will be a heavy police presence in New York City today, with protests scheduled to coincide with Donald Trump's appearance in court to face criminal charges.
A rally for Trump with Republican House Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene has been scheduled for noon (16:00 GMT, or 17:00 in the UK), calling for supporters to join in "peaceful protest" against the indictment.
As the city braces for demonstrations, mayor Eric Adams warned potential troublemakers to behave.
"Our message is clear and simple: Control yourselves. New York City is our home, not a playground for your misplaced anger," he said. He also urged Taylor Greene "to be on your best behaviour".
President Joe Biden, when asked if he was worried about unrest, said: “No, I have faith in the New York Police Department."
The NYPD says it's ready to handle the enormous security operation, and while violence is not expected, about 35,000 uniformed officers have been ordered to be on standby.
It comes after Trump earlier called for protests ahead of his indictment.
Crowds gather as indictment loomspublished at 11:41 British Summer Time 4 April 2023
It's been a busy night in New York City.
Protesters, Trump supporters and members of the media are at the scene now, gathering ahead of Trump's indictment today - a moment which will make him the first former US president to face criminal charges.
Take a look at the overnight hubbub outside of Trump Tower and the Manhattan Criminal Courthouse:
Image source, Reuters
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Trump supporters and protesters are gathered outside Trump tower - both mixing in cordoned pens
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Police officers have been stationed outside Manhattan's criminal court ahead of Trump's appearance later today
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Reporters have flocked to Manhattan to cover the historic appearance from the former president
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Journalists work through the night, ahead of a significant day in US history
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Trump is undoubtedly a divisive figure in US politics. Here he is depicted as an orange pig plushie, a toy carried by a member of the crowd waiting outside of Trump Tower
Good morning Americapublished at 11:32 British Summer Time 4 April 2023
Marita Moloney
Live reporter
Image source, Reuters
Dawn is breaking in New York City, and Donald Trump - a notoriously early riser - is in his eponymous tower above Fifth Avenue.
It may be that he has been up long before sunrise - while in the White House, he was known to keep a somewhat unconventional schedule for a sitting president.
He kept up the habit of rising before 6am as he had done in Trump Tower, the New York Times previously reported,, external beginning his day with a diet of cable news and the day's front pages.
Trump also claimed to only sleep "about four hours per night", according to his 2004 book Think Like a Billionaire.
He'll be in his three-storey apartment for another few hours yet - he's not expected to hand himself over to the authorities until sometime mid-afternoon.
It's around then that he'll make the four mile journey downtown from the gilded apartment to the Lower Manhattan court complex.
What is an arraignment?published at 11:18 British Summer Time 4 April 2023
Today is all about Trump’s arraignment - so what is it?
An arraignment is basically a court proceeding where someone is formally presented with the charges against them.
The defendant is then asked to submit a plea, where they will plead guilty or not guilty. A judge then decides whether they should be released on bail or taken into custody.
We'll be following every moment of Trump's arraignment - stick with us for all the details.
WATCH: Trump's historic journey in 60 secondspublished at 11:04 British Summer Time 4 April 2023
As Donald Trump made his way from Florida to New York yesterday, the world followed his every move - with thousands tracking his flight online.
Our correspondents Barbara Plett-Usher in Palm Beach and Nada Tawfik in New York City break down the drama of the day:
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Donald Trump's historic journey in 60 seconds
Will Donald Trump be arrested?published at 10:48 British Summer Time 4 April 2023
Image source, EPA
Yes. When the former president is fingerprinted and processed at the courthouse, he’s then under arrest and in custody.
During this time, the former president’s fingerprints will be taken, he will fill out paperwork, and he will undergo a cross-check of any outstanding criminal charges.
He will also be read his "Miranda" rights, reminding him of his constitutionally-protected right to a lawyer and to decline to talk to police.
But certain allowances will be afforded to Trump during the process.
Trump's legal team have said he will not be handcuffed and the court may agree to grant him a private entrance to the court, instead of the more typical "perp walk" in front of the assembled media.
It is also unlikely that his mugshot will be taken - read more here.
What to expect todaypublished at 10:32 British Summer Time 4 April 2023
Image source, Getty Images
There’s still a lot we don’t know, but here’s a brief sketch of the day’s events.
Trump has to hand himself over to authorities sometime before 14:15 local time (19:15 BST), when his hearing is due to begin in Manhattan.
We don’t know exactly when he’s planning on going to the court - and, as we’ve said, there’s some speculation he may go several hours before the hearing.
After the court hearing, the former president is scheduled to fly back to Florida, where he has said he'll make an address to some of his supporters at around 20:15 (01:15 BST Wednesday).
We'll be across every one of these moments, bringing you the latest as it plays out.
In pictures: The scene as Trump arrived in New Yorkpublished at 10:16 British Summer Time 4 April 2023
Image source, Getty Images
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Supporters of the former president waited for hours outside Trump Tower in Manhattan before his arrival yesterday. Several brandished flags in support of his 2024 presidential bid, with plenty of American flags and MAGA merchandise on display
Image source, Getty Images
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Trump faced a mixed reception from the crowd as he walked into Trump Tower, with protesters holding placards opposing the former president on the eve of his surrender to face unprecedented criminal charges
Image source, EPA
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All eyes were on Trump Tower ahead of the former president’s arrival, where media gathered from across the world to report on this week’s historic events
Image source, Getty Images
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There was a heavy police presence outside the Manhattan District Attorney's office, where Trump will turn himself in today
Image source, Getty Images
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New York’s famous Naked Cowboy also made an appearance outside Trump’s former primary residence, where he preformed and posed for the throngs of Trump supporters, onlookers and tourists gathered on a crowded Fifth Avenue
Heightened security in New Yorkpublished at 10:03 British Summer Time 4 April 2023
Image source, Reuters
Police in New York are on high alert ahead of Trump’s court hearing.
There are barricades around Trump Tower and the court building where the former president will appear later, and many streets in the area will also be closed.
Other courtrooms in the building will be shut for Trump’s appearance.
Plus, there are “dozens upon dozens” of secret agents deployed to the area.
New York Mayor Eric Adams warned on Monday that people protesting violently during Trump’s court appearance would be arrested and held accountable - “no matter who you are”.
The story so far... in 100 wordspublished at 09:56 British Summer Time 4 April 2023
Image source, Reuters
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A payment to former porn star Stormy Daniels is at the heart of the case
Donald Trump is due to appear in court later today after being indicted in New York last week.
A payment to ex-porn star Stormy Daniels is at the heart of the case.
Daniels says she had an affair with Trump in 2006, which he denies.
Trump's former lawyer, Michael Cohen, paid Daniels $130,000 (£100,000) to keep quiet before the 2016 US election.
The case likely revolves around how this was recorded. The payment may violate election finance laws.
Trump will be fingerprinted and brought before a judge.
The exact charges are not yet known but will be disclosed in court.
A historic day in New Yorkpublished at 09:54 British Summer Time 4 April 2023
Dulcie Lee
Live reporter
Image source, Reuters
Image caption,
Donald Trump waved as he arrived at Trump Tower in New York yesterday
Hello and welcome. We begin today’s live coverage with Donald Trump due to attend court in New York in a criminal case related to hush money paid to a former porn star.
It’s a historic day, as no sitting or former US president has been inside a courtroom to answer criminal charges before.
This afternoon’s appearance is very much the first stage - where Trump will formally hear the charges against him and enter a plea.
There’s still a lot we don’t know - including at what time exactly the former president will leave Trump Tower, accompanied by his secret service detail, before making his way to court.
I’m joined by my colleagues Marita Moloney, Laura Gozzi and Jasmine Andersson in London, so stick with us as we take your through every twist and turn.