Trump returns to New York City to face criminal charges

Ex-President Donald Trump returned to his former home in New York City Monday to face criminal charges in a historic court proceeding following his indictment reportedly connected to alleged hush-money payments to a pornographic film star and former Playboy model.

Trump, who landed at LaGuardia Airport Monday afternoon ahead of his scheduled Tuesday arraignment in Manhattan Criminal Court on a still-sealed indictment, waved to supporters gathered outside Trump Tower.

He is expected to turn himself in to the Manhattan District Attorney’s Office Tuesday, where he will be formally arrested. His arraignment will follow.

His swift entrance to Trump Tower capped a journey that began shortly after noon Monday, when Trump left his Palm Beach, Florida home for West Palm Beach International Airport. Crowds of supporters lined the highway holding signs and waving before his plane took off for New York.

The former president’s personal jet touched down at LaGuardia Airport midafternoon.

Trump emerged from the plane at 3:45 p.m. in a blue suit and red tie and got into a waiting black SUV. His motorcade left soon after, arriving at Trump Tower about a half-hour after leaving the airport. Trump waved to supporters before entering the building. 

Trump, 76, who became the first president in United States history to face criminal charges when a Manhattan grand jury indicted him Thursday, announced his candidacy for the Republican nomination for president in November.

At this arraignment, he is expected to appear in Manhattan Criminal Court Tuesday in front of acting Supreme Court Justice Juan Merchan after he turns himself in to be formally arrested.

The extraordinary scene — that of a former president appearing in criminal court as a defendant — is expected to draw throngs of spectators to lower Manhattan where the NYPD, FBI and court officials have beefed up security ahead of Trump’s appearance.

New York City Mayor Eric Adams and NYPD Commissioner Keechant Sewell, during a news briefing at City Hall Monday, said there were no specific, credible threats to the city connected with Trump's arraignment.

"New York City is always ready," said Adams, who told New Yorkers to go about their regular activities but because of anticipated road closures in Manhattan advised people to take public transportation when needed. "While there may be some rabble rousers thinking about coming to our city tomorrow, the message is clear and simple: Control yourselves. New York is our home, not a playground for your misplaced anger."

Adams and Sewell noted the stepped-up security around the courthouse and said anyone taking part in vandalism or violence will be arrested.

“People like Marjorie Taylor Greene, who have been known to spread misinformation and hate speech, she states she is coming to town. When you are in town, be on your best behavior," Adams said in a reference to Greene, a Republican congresswoman from Georgia who is a staunch defender of the former president.

The case against Trump reportedly stems from $130,000 in payments his campaign allegedly made in 2016 to prevent porn actress Stormy Daniels from going public about a sexual encounter she said she had with the former president. The grand jury also examined an alleged hush money payment made to former Playboy model Karen McDougal, who has said she had a sexual affair with Trump.

The Associated Press, citing sources, is reporting that Trump is facing multiple charges of falsifying business records, including at least one felony offense, in the indictment.

Trump, who served one term as president before President Joe Biden defeated him in 2020, has dismissed the indictment as a “witch hunt” and a political persecution and has attacked Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg, a Democrat, as well as the presiding judge, on his Truth Social site. The former president has also denied sexual contact with Daniels and McDougal.

Trump also beefed up his legal team, Politico reported Monday, hiring top white-collar criminal defense lawyer and former federal prosecutor Todd Blanche as his lead counsel to handle the indictment.

Trump’s presidential campaign, which said it has raised more than $7 million, said that he will deliver remarks Tuesday night from his Mar-a-Lago club in Palm Beach, Florida.

Several streets near the lower Manhattan courthouse are expected to be closed to traffic, and other nearby streets could experience intermittent closures. The NYPD has ordered all of its 36,000 officers to work ahead of Trump’s court appearance.

Trump, who as an ex-president has Secret Service protection, is expected to turn himself in to the district attorney’s office for processing, which will likely include taking his fingerprints, and he will be brought to the courthouse for his arraignment.

Security was beefed up at Trump Tower on Monday when supporters and detractors of the ex-president gathered as helicopters hovered overhead and media outlets from other parts of the world set up camps.

Brett Thomas, visiting New York with his wife from their home in Slidell, Louisiana, stopped by the tower, where about 200  supporters gathered Monday because, he said, he wanted to be part of the "sheer numbers" supporting Trump as he did on Jan. 6, 2021.

“We were there on the steps of the Capitol and it was peaceful until some bad actors came in and riled everybody up and you saw what happened. I walked away but some people aren't sensible,” Thomas said, adding that he thought Trump’s support would intensify in light of what he said was a “politically motivated” indictment.

“I think it is politically motivated; I think it is a bunch of crap,” said Thomas. “It's all going to come out in the end and it's only going to help Trump. If this wouldn't have happened I would not consider donating to Trump but I'm now considering donating several thousand dollars because of this BS. This is going to rile the base. People who had not normally considered donating to Trump are now saying, 'The hell with this, the hell with this political hit job.' ”

Susan Miller, wearing a “Let’s Go Brandon” camouflage baseball cap — which stands for an offensive term against Biden — and holding a sign with a caricature of Bragg, said she wants Trump to be president again.

“Look what he gave up for us,” she said, gesturing toward Trump Tower. “He didn't have to do that. He supports our military. Our military was strong. He backed the blue. There are so many good things he did. He is a good man.”

Marni Halasa, a professional figure skater and activist from Chelsea in Manhattan, was dressed like a devil in a red bodysuit and red shorts, withdevil horns. She was carrying a toy pitchfork and a sign that said “Time to go you know where!”

She posed for photos with several people.

Dagmar Niederpruem of Trier, Germany, who was visiting the U.S. with her husband, Andreas, and their sons, Bennet and Joscha, said it was difficult to believe a former president was indicted. 

 "In Germany, I think there is a little sense of relief, that American justice works,” she said.