The streets of Lower Manhattan buzzed with activity on Tuesday ahead of former President Donald Trump‘s arraignment.
A mishmash of Trump supporters and counter-protesters gathered and, in some cases, clashed outside the lower Manhattan courthouse. Journalists have been lined up outside the building since Monday night.
The counterprotestors are louder than the protestors outside Manhattan courthouse. Chants of “lock him up” pic.twitter.com/MiqqiN5e4o
— Scott MacFarlane (@MacFarlaneNews) April 4, 2023
There was a heavy law enforcement presence, and much of the area was cordoned off. Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg, who is bringing the case against Trump, arrived at the courthouse on Tuesday morning.
Trump supporters and anti-Trump protesters are separated by metal barriers and heckling each other pic.twitter.com/aHGzqlrL74
— Tess Owen (@misstessowen) April 4, 2023
Two high-profile members of Congress — Reps. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-GA) and George Santos (R-NY) — made public appearances to voice their support for Trump, but didn’t stay long as the scene quickly got loud and chaotic.
“Stay strong. The people are with him,” Santos said.
“Stay strong, the people are with him” Congressman George Santos says walking near the courthouse in Lower Manhattan ahead of Trump’s arraignment today pic.twitter.com/S3yqw07zOU
— Brendan Gutenschwager (@BGOnTheScene) April 4, 2023
During a car interview with the Right Side Broadcasting Network, Greene said she spoke with Trump on Monday and shared that he is “completely committed to fighting this injustice.”
People also gathered outside Trump Tower in Midtown Manhattan, where Trump stayed overnight. The former president has been posting to Truth Social, taking aim at Bragg and the presiding judge.
#BREAKING: Amidst heightened security measures, Manhattan D.A. Alvin Bragg arrives at Manhattan Court for the arraignment of former President Trump. pic.twitter.com/RuOCQF7rEJ
— Forbes (@Forbes) April 4, 2023
The arraignment is set for 2:15 p.m. EDT. About an hour beforehand, Trump left Trump Tower and drove to the courthouse. When he arrived, Trump waved and raised a fist into the air before entering the building.
#BREAKING Trump arrives at courthouse to face historic criminal charges pic.twitter.com/PwzLLTCi4O
— AFP News Agency (@AFP) April 4, 2023
Acting New York Supreme Court Justice Juan Merchan issued a ruling late Monday denying a request by a coalition of news outlets for video coverage, but he will allow photographers to take still photos before the arraignment begins.
BREAKING: President Trump arrives at Manhattan district court for arraignmentpic.twitter.com/F7FB7hYT9r
— Daily Wire (@realDailyWire) April 4, 2023
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A report from Yahoo News published Monday evening cited a source briefed on the procedure who said Trump would not be handcuffed, have his photo taken, or be placed in a jail cell before entering the courtroom. The report also claimed that Trump faces 34 felony counts for the alleged falsification of business records. The former president is expected to plead not guilty.
Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene gets SWARMED as she exits vehicle to attend rally for Trump in Manhattan pic.twitter.com/9jdfMTQ0yn
— RSBN 🇺🇸 (@RSBNetwork) April 4, 2023
Before or after the arraignment, Trump may provide a statement to journalists gathered with cameras in the hallway, one of his attorneys told CNN.
Rep. Jamaal Bowman (D-NY) pops off on Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-GA) after her rally outside Trump’s arraignment:
“Go back to your district. What are you doing here? You’re here for politics, you’re here because you want to be VP … you’re here for your own nonsense.” pic.twitter.com/fjGVepX7V8
— The Recount (@therecount) April 4, 2023
While Bragg scheduled a press conference for 3:30 p.m., Trump is expected to journey back to Florida after the arraignment.
Trump’s re-election campaign announced on Sunday that the former president would deliver a public address from his Mar-a-Lago resort on Tuesday night. Those remarks were scheduled for 8:15 p.m. EDT.