by Sharon Rondeau
(Apr. 4, 2023) — At approximately 1:20 PM Tuesday, 45th president and 2024 presidential candidate Donald J. Trump posted on Truth Social that he was on his way to the Manhattan courthouse for his 2:15 PM arraignment, during which time, he said, “they are going to arrest me.”
“Can’t believe this is happening in America,” he concluded. “MAGA!” which stands for his campaign slogan, “Make America Great Again.”
Trump has reportedly been indicted on as many as 34 felony counts over a $130,000 payment his then-personal attorney, Michael Cohen, made to adult-film actress Stormy Daniels in 2016. Federal prosecutors have declined to pursue the matter, and initially, Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg, who is now prosecuting Trump following a grand jury indictment on Thursday, also declined to prosecute.
Trump has claimed Bragg is carrying out a political persecution given that he is the Republican frontrunner for the 2024 nomination, leading contenders and potential contenders by substantial double-digit margins.
Last night on “Hannity,” Trump’s attorney in the case, Joe Tacopina, told host Sean Hannity the charges against Trump should not withstand judicial scrutiny and that the legal team’s intent is to have the case dismissed in the very near future.
Just before 2:00 p.m., former Trump White House adviser Sebastian Gorka posted that Trump had “arrived at the Court of Persecution.”
RSBN is providing live coverage from outside the courthouse, where supporters are seen waving flags referring to “Trump 2024.”
At 2:25 p.m., RSBN anchor Liz Willis observed that Trump is not wearing his customary American flag pin on his lapel.
Trump is scheduled to speak from Mar-a-Lago at 8:15 p.m., an event RSBN’s “Micah” said it will cover live beginning at 6:30.
At 2:31 p.m., Micah reported he had been told Trump had “appeared before the judge.”
At 2:33, Micah reported Trump has “left the building” and “is a free man again until trial.” However, at 2:40, Micah said there have been “mixed reports” that Trump has exited the building.
A video posted on Twitter under the hashtag “#TrumpArraignment” appears to show the former president entering the courtroom to a row of NYPD officers.
At 3:29 p.m., Micah appeared to confirm the arraignment had concluded and that the former president could be expected to exit the courthouse.
“We’re seeing the motorcade start to move,” both Micah and Liz said.
In closing remarks, Micah said he was “excited” about Trump’s anticipated remarks at Mar-a-Lago, after which the broadcast concluded at 3:32.