NEW YORK (1010 WINS/WCBS 880) -- Donald Trump will stay at Trump Towel Monday night ahead of his planned arraignment in Manhattan Criminal Court on Tuesday. He expected to surrender to Manhattan prosecutors Tuesday morning for his 2:15 p.m. arraignment. Law enforcement agencies have been increased security, with NYPD officers ordered to be on call for potential unrest. Directly after being arraigned, Trump will return to his Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida, where he’ll make an address Tuesday night. Trump has denied any wrongdoing in the case, which centers on hush money paid to porn star Stormy Daniels just before the 2016 presidential election.
MONDAY, APRIL 3
10 p.m. -- Judge rules against cameras in the courtroom, with one exception
"The use of cell phones, laptops or any electronic devices will be strictly prohibited in the courtrooms," Judge Juan Merchan wrote in his ruling Monday night. "Any such device will have to be turned off and secured outside of public view while in the courtrooms. Any device that is not properly secured ... will be subject to confiscation."
A handful of pool photographers will be allowed in the jury box until proceedings get underway, at which point, court personnel will escort them out.
Photos will be allowed in the hallways of the building.
6:40 p.m. -- More details emerge on pro-Trump rally Tuesday
The New York Young Republican Club will host a "peaceful protest" Tuesday morning at a park nearby the Manhattan courthouse.
In addition, to U.S. Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, the club announced pro-Trump commentators Jack Posobiec and Graham Allen will attend the gathering.
Meanwhile, U.S. Rep. Matt Gaetz told NBC News that he will be at Trump's speech at Mar-a-Lago after he's arraigned Tuesday night.
6 p.m. -- Manhattan DA to hold Q&A after Trump's arraignment
Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg will hold a press conference Tuesday following Trump's arraignment, his office announced Monday.
Bragg will make his first public comments around 3:30 p.m., following the former president's indictment and amid intense scrutiny.
Trump is expected to make a speech at Mar-a-Lago after his arraignment on Tuesday night.
5:15 p.m. -- Trump to meet with advisors before court arraignment
Trump is expected to meet with lawyers and political advisers on the eve of his arraignment now that he is inside Trump Tower, an unnamed aide told CNN.
An adviser described Trump's mood as "defiant and focused" as he reportedly watched extensive television coverage while flying to New York City from Florida.
Trump is not expected to leave Trump Tower until tomorrow afternoon for his arraignment, sources told NBC News.
4:20 p.m. -- Trump heads into Trump Tower
After landing at LaGuardia Airport, Trump was photographed waving to onlookers as he arrived at a side door of Trump Tower on East 56th Street Monday afternoon.
People have gathered as close as they can get to Trump Tower. Fifth Avenue remains open, but many side streets are closed.
3:30 p.m. -- Trump lands in NYC, heads to Trump Tower
Trump landed at LaGuardia Airport on Monday afternoon ahead of his arraignment on Tuesday afternoon.
The former president will spend the night at Trump Tower before surrendering to authorities on Tuesday for booking and an arraignment in the afternoon.
Trump Tower was open Monday, but authorities were planning to close nearby streets as Trump came and went, and additional security was also in the works. They’ve taken steps to close and secure the courthouse floor where the former president is set to appear in court.
2:05 p.m. -- Trump legal team opposes cameras in court: 'circus-like'
Trump's legal team informed the New York judge overseeing his case on Monday that they disagreed with some media outlets' request to broadcast Trump's arraignment, according to reports.
"We submit that the media request should be denied because it will create a circus-like atmosphere at the arraignment, raise unique security concerns, and is inconsistent with President Trump's presumption of innocence," Trump's lawyers said in the letter obtained by CNN to New York Supreme Court Judge Juan Merchan.
Though the DA's office said it would defer the decision to Merchan, they wrote that it would "be a defensible exercise of the Court’s discretion to exclude or restrict videography, photography, and radio coverage of the arraignment in the interest of avoiding potential prejudice to the defendant, maintaining an orderly proceeding, assuring the safety of the participants in the proceeding, or for other reasons within the Court’s broad authority to manage and control these proceedings."
However, CNN reported that prosecutors argued that "there does not appear to be a categorical prohibition on cameras during an arraignment" under current New York statutes and case law.
Some political leaders have also called for cameras to be permitted, including Democrats like Manhattan Sen. Brad Hoylman-Sigal.
New York’s laws on courtroom broadcasts are among the nation’s most restrictive, however the judge does have some discretion on allowing cameras in the courtroom, Politico reported.
1 p.m. -- Trump takes off from Palm Beach International Airport
Donald Trump was seen at Palm Beach International Airport in Florida after leaving his Mar-a-Lago estate, bound for New York.
Photos show the former president arriving at his “Trump” branded plane with his entourage.
The plane took off just before 1 p.m. for the three-hour flight to LaGuardia Airport.
12:40 p.m. -- NYC 'prepared' with 'minimal intrusions' to 'life'
At City Hall with the mayor Monday, NYPD Commissioner Keechant Sewell reiterated her calls for peaceful protest when reporters asked about a planned rally Tuesday to support Trump. She said that anyone attending the protest is expected to express themselves "peacefully and orderly."
Sewell noted that an investigation is still ongoing after white powder was found inside an envelope last Friday along with a note threatening Manhattan DA Alvin Bragg. That white powder was later determined to be harmless.
The NYPD has provided Bragg and members of the office with protection. Sewell said any threats to city officials are being taken seriously.
When asked about street closures, the commissioner responded that there would be "moving" street closures on Tuesday, though one area close to Trump Tower would be shut down to "facilitate" Trump's transportation.
"We're trying to have a minimal amount of intrusion into city life," she added.
Checkpoints are not thought to be necessary at this time, though.
Reflecting on his law enforcement past, Adams said he is not worried about how Tuesday's arraignment of Trump will affect the city because he is aware of "how well the New York City Police Department is able to pivot and shift circumstances they are facing."
"We are prepared," he said.
The briefing happened almost simultaneously with the Trump motorcade's trip from Mar-a-Lago to the "Trump"-branded plane at Palm Beach International Airport. The plane will travel to LaGuardia Airport.
12:25 p.m. -- ‘No credible, specific threats’ to NYC, but city planning for ‘disruptions,” mayor says
Mayor Eric Adams said at a news conference Monday there is no credible threat to the city, but “disruptions” are possible, as it prepares for potential demonstrations during Trump’s arraignment Tuesday.
“There has been no specific, credible threats to our city at this time, and all New Yorkers should go on with their regular activities,” he said.
The mayor encouraged New Yorkers who normally drive cars to take public transportation, because of some anticipated “some disruptions,” as well as due to increased traffic and numerous street closures in Lower and Midtown Manhattan.
“While there may be some rabble rousers thinking about coming to our city tomorrow, our message is clear and simple: ‘Control yourselves.’ New York City is our home, not a playground for your misplaced anger.”
The mayor also called out U.S. Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, who said on Twitter that she plans to attend a rally in the city Tuesday to support Trump.
“Although we have no specific threats, people like Marjorie Taylor Greene, who is known to spread misinformation and hate speech,” Adams said. “She stated she’s coming to town. While you’re in town. Be on your best behavior.”
The mayor said anyone participating in violence or vandalism “will be arrested and held accountable, no matter who you are.”
NYPD Commissioner Keechant Sewell, who joined Adams at City Hall, said New Yorkers may see an increased police presence in parts of the city, as well as intermittent road closures Monday and Tuesday, particularly in Manhattan.
“Violence and destruction are not part of legitimate, lawful expression, and it will never be tolerated in our city,” the commissioner said.
11:55 a.m. -- Trump blasts media as campaign rakes in over $5M
In a campaign email Monday, Trump was quoted as saying, "Friend, it's hard to believe that I will be ARRESTED tomorrow as a result of the most abominable witch hunt in our country's history."
Citing a Politico opinion piece — entitled "Trump Seems to Be the Victim of a Witch Hunt. So What?" — Trump slammed what he characterized as the media's tepid response "to the ruling political party inciting a witch hunt to arrest its strongest opponent."
"The Fake News doesn’t care about justice or the rule of law," he added. "They’re nothing but puppets for the left-wing regime that wants to silence and even criminalize dissent."
Meanwhile, since Trump's indictment broke late Thursday, Axios reported Saturday that the campaign raised more than $5 million.
11:40 a.m. -- NYPD buses seen outside Trump Tower
NYPD buses were spotted outside Trump Tower on Monday morning ahead of Donald Trump’s arrival in the afternoon.
The buses are often used for situations where multiple arrests could be made, such as demonstrations.
Secret Service agents and numerous police were also seen in the area. Multiple law enforcement agencies have been coordinating on security.
10 a.m. -- Adams, NYPD to make security announcement Monday
Mayor Eric Adams and NYPD officials will make a “public safety announcement” at City Hall on Monday afternoon.
Although the topic of the announcement hasn’t been made public, sources said Adams and NYPD Commissioner Keechant Sewell are expected to talk about security, street closures and mass transit as relates to Tuesday’s unprecedented arraignment.
The NYPD will be dealing with not only security but also traffic Monday and Tuesday, with streets by the courthouse, like Centre and Baxter, expected to close. Parking may also be limited in the area.
9:45 a.m. -- Judge to decide if cameras will be allowed in courtroom
Judge Juan Merchan is expected to decide Monday if cameras will be allowed in the courtroom during Trump’s arraignment.
Lawyers for both Trump and the Manhattan D.A. are supposed to submit any concerns or objects to cameras by 1 p.m. Monday.
News organizations have requested that cameras be allowed.
According to CNN, the news outlets sent a letter Friday citing “the gravity of this proceeding – the unprecedented and historic arraignment of a former U.S. President – and, consequently, the need for the broadest possible public access, cannot be overstated.”
They’re seeking a “limited number of photographers, videographers, and radio journalists to be present at the arraignment” to avoid any disruptions to the proceedings.
Some political leaders have also called for cameras to be permitted, including Democrats like Manhattan Sen. Brad Hoylman-Sigal.
New York’s laws on courtroom broadcasts are among the nation’s most restrictive, however the judge does have some discretion on allowing cameras in the courtroom, Politico reported.
8:15 a.m. -- Trump says he’ll depart Florida Monday at noon
Trump confirmed he’d leave his Mar-a-Lago estate in Palm Beach, Florida, on Monday afternoon and stay in Trump Tower on Monday night.
In a post on his Truth Social network, he wrote, “I will be leaving Mar-a-Lago on Monday at 12 noon, heading to Trump Tower in New York. On Tuesday morning I will be going to, believe it or not, the Courthouse. America was not supposed to be this way!”
Security is tight around Trump Tower ahead of his arrival. A stretch of 56th Street was shut down between Sixth and Madison avenues, and Fifth Avenue is set to closer later in the day. Inaccessible “frozen zones” have also been set up in the area.
Come Tuesday, Trump is expected to take a motorcade to the courthouse in Lower Manhattan, which will be largely shut down. Court officials have cleared all other scheduled trials for the arraignment, Politico reported.
The arraignment will take place at 2:15 p.m. in a 15th-floor courtroom of Manhattan Criminal Court, with Justice Juan Merchan, a state Supreme Court judge, hearing the case brought by the Manhattan D.A.
The indictment is still sealed, but sources told the Associated Press that Trump is facing multiple charges of falsifying business records, including at least one felony offense.
7:30 a.m. -- Marjorie Taylor Greene to be at NYC rally
U.S. Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene will be at a “peaceful protest” Tuesday in Manhattan as Trump is being arraigned.
The Republican firebrand plans to headline a rally slamming the Manhattan D.A.'s indictment as politically motivated.
“Protesting is a constitutional right and I am going to NY on Tuesday to protest this unprecedented abuse of our justice system and election interference,” Greene tweeted on her personal Twitter account.
“We will not live in fear and we will lawfully stand against tyranny and corruption while we show our support for President Trump,” she wrote.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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