Manhattan DA Bragg says Trump's 34 counts of business fraud are 'serious criminal conduct'

Former President Donald Trump pleaded not guilty to 34 charges of felony business fraud in Manhattan Criminal Court on Tuesday afternoon. His arraignment followed the first arrest of an ex-president in U.S. history.

Trump surrendered himself to state officials just after 1 p.m. Around 2:30 p.m., Trump entered the courtroom of acting state Supreme Court Justice Juan Merchan to hear the charges against him. He pleaded not guilty and by 3:30 p.m. was on his way back to the airport.

The former president faces dozens of charges related to hush money payments during his 2016 presidential campaign, according to the newly unsealed indictment. Trump is accused of falsifying business records to hide damaging information in what Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg has called a “catch and kill” scheme to buy negative stories about himself and hide them from voters. In a press release, Bragg said Trump went to “great lengths” to conceal his actions, making dozens of false entries in his business records.

“That is exactly what this case is about: 34 false statements made to cover up other crimes. These are low-level felony crimes in New York state no matter who you are,” Bragg said during a late afternoon press conference following Trump’s court appearance. “We cannot and will not normalize serious criminal conduct.”

Prosecutors allege that Trump orchestrated the scheme through a series of payments between August 2015 and December 2017 to prevent the media from reporting on claims about extramarital affairs.

Less than two weeks before the 2016 election, prosecutors claim, Trump’s attorney paid $130,000 to the attorney of adult film actress Stormy Daniels through a shell corporation funded by a Manhattan bank. Trump allegedly reimbursed his own attorney through 11 checks that were “illegally disguised as payment for legal services.”

Michael Cohen, Trump’s lawyer at the time, has since faced federal charges for his role in the scheme.

American Media Inc., which publishes tabloids including the National Enquirer, is accused of paying $30,000 to a former Trump Tower doorman who said he had a story about a child Trump had out of wedlock and $150,000 to a woman who claimed she’d had an affair with Trump. Prosecutors said Trump asked his attorney to reimburse the media company in cash, but that it ultimately chose not to accept any money.

When asked during the press conference why Bragg is bringing the charges now, years after his predecessor first launched the investigation, he said his office had obtained “additional evidence” and had the opportunity to meet with new witnesses. He said there was a “profound” interest to prosecute a case like this in New York, which he called the “business capital of the world.”

“The bedrock — in fact, the basis for business integrity in a well-functioning business marketplace is true and accurate record-keeping,” he said. “That’s the charge that’s brought here. Falsifying New York state business records.”

Trump has accused Bragg of prosecuting him for political reasons and has urged his supporters to protest his arrest. After his appearance in court, Trump’s defense attorney team spoke to reporters criticizing the substance of the indictment.

“A state prosecutor is prosecuting a federal election law violation that doesn't exist according to federal election law officials. It’s as simple as that - you could sum it all up like that,” said attorney Joe Tacopina.

The defense team said the court set a schedule that requires them to file motions in four months and that is when they said they planned to file their response to these charges. They are expected to file for a dismissal and possibly a change of venue.

Hundreds of Trump supporters, detractors and journalists from across the world lined up outside the courthouse to watch the unprecedented court proceedings, some waiting overnight to get a spot in the packed courtroom. Police have kept pro-Trump and anti-Trump protesters separate outside the courthouse, to avoid conflicts.

Dueling chants filled the area outside the courthouse ahead of the former president’s arrival. Trump supporters repeated some of his famous campaign slogans, yelling: “Build the wall!” His opponents took one of the former president’s rallying cries and flipped it on its head, shouting: “Lock him up!”

The NYPD and court officers are still on high alert for potential safety issues around the courthouse. Officials have said there are no known credible threats against the city at this time.

Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene gathered with pro-Trump supporters, including Rep. George Santos, in Collect Pond Park Tuesday morning, ahead of the former president’s arrival. She has criticized Bragg for prosecuting the former president, calling the charges against him “fake crimes.” Mayor Eric Adams urged Greene and anyone else who plans to protest to be on their “best behavior.”

Far from the chaotic scene in Lower Manhattan, House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries was in his district starting the day at an event at high school in Coney Island. He blasted his Republican House colleagues and said he hopes the party will denounce their presence.

“Marjorie Taylor Green is an unserious person. George Santos is an unserious person,” Jeffries told Gothamist. “But unfortunately they are both leaders within the House Republican conference in Washington, D.C. as evidenced by their presence here today representing their colleagues.”

Others rallied to express their approval of the indictment, including Public Advocate Jumaane Williams and Rep. Jamaal Bowman. Some shook tambourines and chanted to a beat.

Brigid Bergin, Michelle Bocanegra and Charles Lane contributed reporting.