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Donald Trump arrives in New York for court surrender as city tightens security

Click to play video: 'Donald Trump arraignment: What are the next steps in historic criminal case?'
Donald Trump arraignment: What are the next steps in historic criminal case?
WATCH: What are the next steps in historic criminal case? – Apr 3, 2023

Former U.S. President Donald Trump landed in New York City on Monday after flying from Florida on his private plane to face charges stemming from a probe into hush money paid to a porn star, while his lawyers argued against allowing cameras in the courtroom.

With New York taking security precautions and the mayor telling any potential rabble-rousers to behave, Trump was due to surrender at the Manhattan District Attorney’s Office on Tuesday and will likely be fingerprinted prior to appearing before a judge for an arraignment where he will plead not guilty.

Trump, 76, a Republican seeking to regain the presidency in 2024, is the first former U.S. president to face criminal charges.

Click to play video: 'How Donald Trump’s arraignment will unfold'
How Donald Trump’s arraignment will unfold

Beefing up his legal team, Trump hired Todd Blanche, a prominent white-collar criminal defense lawyer and former federal prosecutor, to lead his defense, two sources familiar with the matter said. Blanche and other Trump lawyers on Monday urged the judge not to allow videography, photography and radio coverage of the arraignment.

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In a letter to the court, they argued against allowing such coverage, saying it would “exacerbate an already almost circus-like atmosphere around this case” and “detract from both the dignity and decorum of the proceedings and courtroom.”

Justice Juan Merchan was expected to decide the matter on Monday.

Former president Donald Trump waves before boarding his plane at Palm Beach International Airport, Monday, April 3, 2023, in West Palm Beach, Fla. Trump is heading to New York for his expected booking and arraignment on charges arising from hush money payments during his 2016 campaign. (Joe Cavaretta/South Florida Sun-Sentinel via AP).

Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg’s office said it would leave it to the discretion of the judge, but noted that Merchan allowed a limited number of still photos prior to last year’s criminal trial in which Trump’s real estate company was convicted of tax fraud.

Before the indictment, a Manhattan grand jury heard evidence about a $130,000 payment to adult film actress Stormy Daniels in the waning days of the 2016 presidential campaign. Daniels has said she was paid to keep silent about a sexual encounter she had with Trump at a Lake Tahoe hotel in 2006. Trump denies having had any such relationship with her.

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Click to play video: 'Trump arrives in New York ahead of arraignment amid mixed reaction from public'
Trump arrives in New York ahead of arraignment amid mixed reaction from public

Blanche previously represented Paul Manafort, Trump’s 2016 campaign chairman, when Manafort was hit with New York state fraud charges after being sentenced to prison for federal crimes. The state charges were eventually dismissed and Trump pardoned Manafort before leaving office. Blanche also previously represented Igor Fruman, who was an associate of former Trump attorney Rudy Giuliani.

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The specific charges in the indictment by a grand jury convened by Bragg, a Democrat, have yet to be disclosed. Trump has said he is innocent. He and his allies have portrayed the charges as politically motivated.

Click to play video: 'Former President Donald Trump faces indictment— what now?'
Former President Donald Trump faces indictment— what now?

Trump’s plane arrived at LaGuardia Airport in New York’s borough of Queens. Trump said earlier on social media he would go to Trump Tower in Manhattan after arriving in New York, then would head to the courthouse on Tuesday morning.

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A motorcade of several vehicles earlier took Trump from his Mar-a-Lago estate in Palm Beach to the airport in nearby West Palm Beach. Trump climbed out of an SUV vehicle before he and members of his entourage climbed a set of stairs to enter his plane, painted in red, white and blue with “TRUMP” in big letters on the side and an image of the American flag on the tail.

“WITCH HUNT, as our once great Country is going to HELL!” Trump posted on social media right before he departed.

TRUMP RAISES FUNDS ON HIS INDICTMENT

Trump’s campaign raised $7 million in the three days after word of the indictment emerged last Thursday, senior adviser Jason Miller said. The campaign on Monday issued the latest in a series of fundraising emails, taking aim at the media’s reporting on his indictment.

Remarks attributed to Trump in the email stated: “Our country has fallen. But I’m not giving up on America. We can and we will save our nation in 2024.”

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Click to play video: 'How New York law enforcement is preparing for Donald Trump’s arraignment'
How New York law enforcement is preparing for Donald Trump’s arraignment

A court official said the arraignment was planned for 2:15 p.m. (1815 GMT) on Tuesday. Trump then will return to Florida and deliver remarks from Mar-a-Lago at 8:15 p.m. on Tuesday (0015 GMT on Wednesday), his office said.

The New York case is one of several probes Trump faces.

Supporters of former President Donald Trump cheer and wave flags as his motorcade passes by, Monday, April 3, 2023, in West Palm Beach, Fla. Trump is expected to travel to New York for his booking and arraignment on charges arising from hush money payments during his 2016 campaign. (AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee). WL

A few dozen Trump fans cheered at the Florida airport and along the route he took to get there, carrying signs and flags.

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“Our country needs him,” said Cindy Falco, 65, of Boynton Beach, Florida. “He’s pro-God, pro-family and pro-country.”

Falco predicted exoneration, saying: “Nothing is going to stick to him.”

Trump’s detractors also weighed in.

“Isn’t it ironic that they couldn’t get Donald Trump for all of the crimes he’s committed, except payment to a porn star?” said New Jersey resident Robert Hoatson, 71, outside of Trump Tower. “It always comes down to the lowliest of charges.”

“It’s a terrific day. I hope it goes well and that he is eventually found guilty,” Hoatson added.

MAYOR CALLS FOR PROTESTERS TO BE ON 'BEST BEHAVIOR'

New York police over the weekend began erecting barricades near Trump Tower and the Manhattan Criminal Court building. Demonstrations were expected at those sites on Tuesday.

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A pedestrian walks past members of the media gather outside Manhattan Criminal Court in New York, Friday, March. 31, 2023. Yuki Iwamura/AP

Mayor Eric Adams, a Democrat, said there was no known specific security threat.

“While there may be some rabble-rousers thinking about coming to our city tomorrow (Tuesday), our message is clear and simple: Control yourselves. New York City is our home, not a playground for your misplaced anger,” Adams told reporters.

“As always, we will not allow violence or vandalism of any kind. And if one is caught participating in any act of violence, they will be arrested and held accountable no matter who you are,” Adams added, specifically mentioning Republican congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene, who has announced plans to protest.

“Be on your best behavior,” the mayor said.

Click to play video: 'Trump indictment: NYC mayor warns protesters to ‘control yourselves’ ahead of arraignment'
Trump indictment: NYC mayor warns protesters to ‘control yourselves’ ahead of arraignment

Asked whether he was worried about unrest around Trump’s arraignment, President Joe Biden, touring a factory in Minnesota, said, “No, I have faith in the New York Police Department.”

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(Reporting by Rich McKay in Palm Beach, Florida and Karen Freifeld in New York; Additional reporting by Tim Reid in Henderson, Nevada; Jonathan Allen, Jeenah Moon, and David Dee Delgado in New York and Doina Chiacu in Washington; Writing by Will Dunham; Editing by Lisa Shumaker and Howard Goller)

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