NEW YORK (1010 WINS/WCBS 880) — Donald Trump on Thursday became the first former or sitting president in history to be indicted. The move by a Manhattan grand jury sent shockwaves through the nation. While the exact charges remained sealed Friday, Trump has denied any wrongdoing in the case, which centers on a 2016 “hush money” payment to porn star Stormy Daniels.
Trump called the indictment “political persecution and election interference at the highest level.” Nevertheless, he’s expected to surrender to the Manhattan D.A.’s Office for arraignment next Tuesday, though the details are still being worked out. Law enforcement agencies in New York are heightening security in preparation.
APRIL 1, 2023
12:52 p.m. — Trump’s legal team is weighing the option of requesting the trial move to Staten Island for a more sympathetic jury
Bloomberg News cited an anonymous source indicating Trump’s camp has concerns the former president would not be able to get a fair trial in Manhattan.
Staten Island is considerably more conservative than Manhattan.
Trump’s lawyers are reportedly waiting for the indictment to be unsealed Tuesday before making a decision on whether or not to request a change in venue.
Defendants are not entitled to change venues in order to find a jury with more favorable characteristics like political views.
MARCH 31, 2023
3:48 p.m. -- Gov. Kathy Hochul said state police, NY National Guard ready to assist with unrest
At a press conference Friday, Hochul said state police and the New York National Guard are ready to assist with unrest following the Trump indictment if Mayor Eric Adams requests assistance.
“Obviously, NYPD is the finest in the world. They know what they’re doing. They’ve trained for this. They’re able to handle crowds. This is not new to the NYPD,” said Hochul. ““But I also want to offer our assistance in any way they want to take advantage of it — our state police, the Guard — whatever they ask for.”
So far, the city hasn’t experienced any significant upheaval in response to news of the indictment, though it remains to be seen how supporters will act on Tuesday — the day of the arraignment.
1 p.m. -- Michael Cohen says indictment is 'truly monumental'
Trump's former lawyer Michael Cohen isn't mincing words about the former president.
"After so many years Donald Trump will face accountability for his actions," Cohen said on his podcast Mea Culpa.
Cohen in December 2018 pleaded guilty to federal tax crimes, lying to Congress and to campaign finance violations. The charges related to hush money payments to adult film actress Stormy Daniels and Playboy model Karen McDougal.
"He is about to get a taste of what I went through and I promise you it's not fun," Cohen said. "Picturing Donald Trump being led through the booking process, getting fingerprinted, having his mugshot taken fills me with delight and sadness all at the same time.
He added, "Sadness I say because what an embarrassment it is to the Office of the Presidency to have a former president handcuffed and mugshotted in front of the whole world."
Cohen also points out that a cell will not bode well for Trump: "Now remember that Trump is a noted germaphobe, so the idea of Trump sitting in a filthy holding cell is the epitome of freudenschade. After a lifetime of escaping consequences, the fact that this is happening is truly monumental."
12:30 p.m. -- Video captures Trump out for dinner after indictment announced
Just hours after a Manhattan grand jury indicted Trump, the former president was spotted at his Mar-a-Lago mansion in Florida, in video obtained by TMZ.
In the video, Trump is seen waving to guests, but he doesn't stop to chat or mingle. According to TMZ, Trump dined at his usual outside table with wife Melania Trump.
12:20 p.m. -- VP Harris mum on Trump
While at a press conference in Zambia Friday, Vice President Kamala Harris said she is keeping quiet about Trump's indictment. “I am not going to comment on an ongoing criminal case as it relates to the former president," she told reporters, echoing President Joe Biden's Thursday remarks.
12 p.m. -- Trump to be arraigned Tuesday afternoon in NYC
Donald Trump will be arraigned next Tuesday afternoon, court officials confirmed Friday.
The arraignment is expected at 2:15 p.m. in Manhattan Criminal Court, according to multiple reports.
No ex-president has ever been charged with a crime before, so there's no rulebook for booking one. Trump has Secret Service protection, so agents would need to be by him at all times.
Indeed, Trump was asked to surrender Friday, but his lawyers said the Secret Service needed more time to make security preparations, two people familiar with the matter told the Associated Press.
Even for defendants who turn themselves in, answering criminal charges in New York generally entails at least several hours of detention while being fingerprinted, photographed, and going through other procedures.
11:20 a.m. -- Piers Morgan to interview Stormy Daniels
The woman at the center of Trump's indictment is sitting down with Morgan Friday night, he announced on Twitter.
"As Donald Trump becomes the first US President in history to be indicted on criminal charges, I’ve got the first world exclusive interview with the woman who sparked the scandal," Morgan wrote. "Tune into @PiersUncensored at 9pm for my live interview with Stormy Daniels."
11:15 a.m. - Manhattan DA accuses House GOP of 'unlawful political interference'
The office of Manhattan D.A. Alvin Bragg accused House Republicans of “unlawful political interference” in a six-page letter Friday. It also denounced Trump’s rhetoric on social media, including insults against Bragg.
The letter from Leslie Dubeck, the general counsel for Bragg’s office, was addressed to three GOP committee chairmen who last week accused Bragg’s investigation of being politically motivated and demanded he testify before Congress about the confidential probe.
The letter essentially told the chairmen to back off, saying “let the criminal justice process proceed without unlawful political interference.”
It also condemned Trump’s “harsh invective against District Attorney Bragg”. and noted the former president last week “threatened on social media that his arrest or indictment in New York may unleash ‘death & destruction.’”
“As Committee Chairmen, you could use the stature of your office to denounce these attacks and urge respect for the fairness of our justice system and for the work of the impartial grand jury,” Dubeck wrote. “Instead, you and many of your colleagues have chosen to collaborate with Mr. Trump’s efforts to vilify and denigrate the integrity of elected state prosecutors and trial judges and made unfounded allegations that the Office’s investigation, conducted via an independent grand jury of average citizens serving New York State, is politically motivated.”
The letter also confirmed the Manhattan D.A. had “filed charges against Donald Trump for violations of New York law.”
“The charges filed yesterday were brought by citizens of New York, doing their civic duty as members of a grand jury, who found probable cause to accuse Mr. Trump of having committed crimes in New York,” the letter reads.
After the GOP chairmen sent their letter last week, Bragg’s office responded by saying, “We will not be intimidated by attempts to undermine the justice process, nor will we let baseless accusations deter us from fairly applying the law.”
9:45 a.m. - City Hall says mayor in “constant contact” with NYPD commissioner
A spokesman for Mayor Eric Adams said the mayor is “in constant contact” with NYPD Commissioner Keechant Sewell as the police department prepares for potential unrest.
The spokesman said in a statement: “The mayor is in constant contact with Commissioner Sewell about all public safety issues affecting the city. The NYPD continues to monitor all activity and there are no credible threats to the city at this time. The NYPD always remains prepared to respond to events happening on the ground and keep New Yorkers safe.”
The NYPD ordered all officers to report in uniform Friday, with Trump’s expected arraignment in Lower Manhattan on the horizon. His lawyers suggested it’s likely to come early next week.
9:15 a.m. - Trump attorney says “zero” chance he takes a plea deal
Trump attorney Joe Tacopina told NBC’s “Today” show on Friday morning that there’s “zero” chance he’ll take a plea deal.
“President Trump will not take a plea deal in this case. It’s not going to happen, there’s no crime,” Tacopina told Savannah Guthrie.
The exact charges against Trump are still under seal, but the former president has insisted he’s committed no crimes.
8:50 a.m. - Biden declines to comment on Trump indictment
President Biden declined to comment when he was asked multiple times Friday about Trump’s indictment.
“I have no comment on Trump,” Biden said, according to USA Today White House correspondent Maureen Groppe.
Trump’s indictment puts Biden in a complicated spot, because as president, he can’t be seen as trying to influence a criminal case involving his potential competitor in the 2024 election.
8:30 a.m. - Lawyer says Trump “will not be put in handcuffs”
Trump attorney Joe Tacopina told ABC’s “Good Morning America” on Friday morning that he didn’t think police officers in New York “would allow this to become a circus as much as humanly possible,” despite what he said was the desire of the Manhattan D.A. to “parade” the former president around.
“I’m sure they’ll try to get every ounce of publicity they can from this thing,” Tacopina said. “The president will not be put in handcuffs. As far as a mugshot’s concerned, perp walk. As I said, I’m sure they’ll try to make sure they get some joy out of this by parading him, but you know I think this is a different situation.”
At this point, it appears Trump will most likely surrender in Lower Manhattan on Tuesday, but that’s still being worked out between the New York prosecutors and Trump’s lawyers.
8 a.m. - Media camped outside Manhattan Criminal Court
There was a heavy media presence outside Manhattan Criminal Court at 100 Centre St. in Lower Manhattan on Friday morning. There was no sign of protesters. Trump isn't expected to be arraigned Friday. His lawyers are working out his surrender, which could happen early next week.
7:30 a.m. - NYPD orders officers to be ready Friday
The NYPD ordered all of its officers to show up in uniform Friday for deployments across the city in case of unrest.
In a statement, a police department spokesperson said:
“The NYPD continues to work with our federal, state and local partners to keep New Yorkers safe. While you will see an increased uniformed presence throughout the five boroughs, there are currently no credible threats to New York City.
“The department remains ready and available to respond to protest and counter protests and will ensure everyone is able to peacefully exercise their first amendment rights. We will never tolerate violence or property damage.
As a general reminder, firearm permit holders may not carry firearms at First Amendment gatherings, courthouses, government buildings, and other legally-designated sensitive locations, as this is unlawful under New York State Law, except for certain law enforcement personnel.
There are millions of sets of eyes and ears in New York City. If you see something, say something by calling 9-1-1 or 1-888-NYC-SAFE.”
6:30 a.m. - All quiet on the Trump Tower front
It was quiet outside Trump Tower on Friday morning, a day after its namesake was indicted. Police barricades lined Fifth Avenue, between E. 56th and E. 57th streets. Trump remained at Mar-a-Lago estate in Palm Beach, Florida, on Friday. He isn’t expected to surrender until next week.
Trump will eventually be booked, fingerprinted and have a mugshot taken. The indictment is sealed for now, but the former president’s lawyer, Joe Tacopina, on Fox News’ “Hannity” said he knows what’s coming.
“I can guarantee you it’s going to be 34 counts when we find out next week. On what? They’ll take each check and make that a count,” Tacopina said, referring to checks that Trump gave Michael Cohen, allegedly as reimbursement for a “hush money” payment Cohen made to Stormy Daniels before the 2016 election.
Tacopina said Trump was “shocked” when the indictment came down Thursday.
A spokesman for the Manhattan district attorney’s office confirmed the indictment and said prosecutors had reached out to Trump’s defense team to coordinate a surrender. Tacopina said Trump is “likely” to turn himself in on Tuesday.
In downtown New York, security was tight at Manhattan’s Criminal Courthouse, where barricades had been put up and police were coordinating with the Secret Service.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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