They can’t beat us at ballot box, so they try to beat us through law: Trump after historic indictment

Updated: Wednesday, April 5, 2023, 8:06 [IST]

The United States is going to hell, said former President Donald Trump in a jibe at Joe Biden's administration while addressing a public gathering on Tuesday night.

Our country is going to hell says Trump after historic indictment

Addressing supporters from his Mar-a-Lago property, Trump mentioned the Hunter Biden's laptop scandal saying, "The FBI and Department of Justice in collusion with Twitter and Facebook in order not to say anything bad about the Hunter Biden laptop from hell, which exposes the Biden family as criminals and which, according to the pollsters would have made a 17 point difference in the election result, we needed a lot less than that, 16.9, it would have been in our favour because our country is going to hell."

The 76-year-old, who has pleaded 'not guilty' to 34 felony counts in a New York court, has also claimed that the Democrats spied on his campaign. "This could happen in America. Never thought it could happen. The only crime that I have committed is to fearlessly defend our nation from those who seek to destroy it. From the beginning, the Democrats spied on my campaign. Remember that? They attacked me with an onslaught of fraudulent investigations," Trump said.

"Russia, Russia, Russia, Ukraine, Ukraine, Ukraine.Impeachment hoax number one.Impeachment hoax number two.The illegal and unconstitutional raid on Mar a Lago right here.The lying to the Pfizer courts. The FBI and DOJ relentlessly pursuing Republicans, the unconstitutional changes to election laws by not getting approvals from state legislators, the millions of votes illegally stuffed into ballot boxes and all caught on government cameras," he added.

Earlier, former US President Donald Trump personally pleaded not guilty on Tuesday in a packed Manhattan courtroom to 34 counts of falsifying business records and conspiracy for his alleged role in hush money payments toward the end of his 2016 presidential campaign.

With this, Trump has become the first former US president to face criminal charges. The sealed indictment purportedly charges the 76-year old with more than 30 counts of corporate fraud, the most serious of which is allegedly paying 'hush money' to porn actress Stormy Daniels.

Now, he is delivering remarks from his Mar-A-Lago property in Florida following his arraignment in New York City

Here are the highlights:

Apr 05, 2023, 7:02 AM IST

This live blog has ended

Apr 05, 2023, 6:59 AM IST

His speech ended in less than 30 minutes.

Apr 05, 2023, 6:59 AM IST

With all of these things said, and with a very dark cloud over our beloved country, I have not doubt nevertheless, that we will make America great again.

Apr 05, 2023, 6:58 AM IST

We are a failing nation, we are in decline. Now, radical left lunatics interfere with our elections by using law enforcement. We can't let that happen.

Apr 05, 2023, 6:54 AM IST

The only crime that I have committed is to fearlessly defend our nation from those who seek to destroy it: Trump

Apr 05, 2023, 6:50 AM IST

It is an insult to our country and world is laughing at us for so many other reasons like our open borders, Afghanistan issue, where we left behind our American citizens, 85 billion worth military equipment.

Apr 05, 2023, 6:47 AM IST

Talking about the indictment, he said, "There is no crime, and this should never have been brought. Even people who are not our fans have said that this is not the right thing to do."

Apr 05, 2023, 6:34 AM IST

If we took five worst presidents of the United States, and added them up, they would have not done near destruction to the country as Joe Biden and the Biden administration have done.

Apr 05, 2023, 6:26 AM IST

If I were your president, I would not have allowed the Ukraine war.

Apr 05, 2023, 6:21 AM IST

Russia has joined China. Can you believe this?

Apr 05, 2023, 6:20 AM IST

US is in a mess, our economy is crashing and inflation is out of control.

Apr 05, 2023, 6:17 AM IST

Trumps begins his speech while the crowd chanted 'USA'.

Apr 05, 2023, 2:43 AM IST

This live blog is now closed, thank you for joining us.

Apr 05, 2023, 2:32 AM IST

US judge says Trump trial could start in January 2024.

Apr 05, 2023, 2:32 AM IST

Trump lawyer vows to fight 'sad,' 'boilerplate' indictment.

A lawyer for Donald Trump vowed to fight the 34 criminal counts that the former president faces over hush-money payments, calling the charges "sad', AFP reported.

Apr 05, 2023, 1:55 AM IST

Trump has boarded his private plane headed back to Mar-a-Lago after pleading not guilty to 34 felony charges.

Apr 05, 2023, 1:51 AM IST

Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg claimed Trump 'repeatedly made false statements' on New York business records and made others do the same during a press briefing following Tuesday's arraignment, as reported by ABC news. "These are felony crimes in New York state, no matter who you are," Bragg said. "We cannot and will not normalize serious criminal conduct."

Apr 05, 2023, 1:50 AM IST

Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg held a news conference following former US President Donald Trump's arraignment. Trump pleaded not guilty to 34 felony criminal charges of falsifying business in the first degree.

Apr 05, 2023, 1:24 AM IST

The unsealed indictment accuses Trump of directing 3 different instances of hush money payments to cover up alleged affairs.

Apr 05, 2023, 1:23 AM IST

Press release on the 34 counts against Donald Trump, reports ABC news.

Press release for Trump indictment pic.twitter.com/nHcoMd4pfp
— Kristin Thorne (@KristinThorne) April 4, 2023

Apr 05, 2023, 1:21 AM IST

Judge Juan Merchan warned Donald Trump to refrain from social media posts that could foment unrest, after messages critical of prosecutor, AP reported.

Apr 05, 2023, 1:11 AM IST

The historic indictment against former US President Donald Trump has been unsealed and is now public, reports CNN news.

Apr 05, 2023, 1:08 AM IST

President Ulysses S. Grant was arrested for speeding in 1872, more than 150 years before former President Donald Trump was indicted.

Apr 05, 2023, 1:07 AM IST

Trump plans to fly back to Florida this evening for a speech.

Apr 05, 2023, 1:00 AM IST

Trump has exited the courtroom after his arraignment and entered another room, ignoring questions again from reporters. After leaving the courtroom, Trump left the building and got into his motorcade parked outside. The former president pleaded not guilty to 34 counts, CNN reports.

Apr 05, 2023, 12:42 AM IST

The indictment - People of the State of New York against Donald J. Trump, Indictment No. 71543-23 - was unsealed.

Apr 05, 2023, 12:31 AM IST

The New York Times reported that Donald Trump's indictment has been unsealed which means that the exact charges against the former US President will be clear soon.

Apr 05, 2023, 12:22 AM IST

Former President Donald Trump plead not guilty on charges related to falsifying business records in a hush money investigation, the first president ever to be charged with a crime, reports ABC news.

Apr 05, 2023, 12:12 AM IST

Trump briefly appeared before cameras as he walked into the courtroom, reports NBC news. He ignored a question from a reporter who yelled, "President Trump, do you want to speak to us?"

Apr 05, 2023, 12:10 AM IST

What happens next ?

The judge and legal teams will set dates for the next hearing and deadlines for discovery, in which the district attorney's office must turn over all its information to Trump's lawyers, and motions, which include any requests to shift the venue or dismiss the case outright. That process usually takes months. Tacopina has said he needs to read the indictment first and research before he decides what to do on a change of venue or any motions to dismiss, though it would be very common to file one.

Apr 04, 2023, 4:00 pm IST

Streets around the high-end Trump Tower have been cordoned off, with heavy police presence in and around the area.

Apr 04, 2023, 4:01 pm IST

The arraignment proceeding is expected to be brief.

Apr 04, 2023, 4:10 pm IST

The charges in the indictment will be read to him at the hearing, which is set to last about 10-15 minutes.

Apr 04, 2023, 4:38 pm IST

Trump has denied all wrongdoings in connection with the payments made to Stormy Daniels, 44, ahead of the 2016 presidential election.

Apr 04, 2023, 5:18 pm IST

Trump is currently the front-runner among all declared and potential contenders for the 2024 Republican White House nomination.

Apr 04, 2023, 6:06 pm IST

News outlets will not be allowed to broadcast former US President Donald Trump’s historic arraignment on Tuesday in a Manhattan state court, New York Supreme Court Judge Juan Merchan has ruled.

Apr 04, 2023, 6:07 pm IST

New York Supreme Court Judge Merchan rejected a request by several media organisations for permission to broadcast the proceedings.

Apr 04, 2023, 7:21 pm IST

Prosecutor Alvin Bragg, a son of Harlem and onetime Black student leader, has arrived at the Manhattan District Attorney's office, near the New York County Criminal Court where Donald Trump will appear later.

Apr 04, 2023, 7:24 pm IST

Trump's mugshot expected to be taken

Trump is expected to have his mugshot taken when he is scheduled to appear before a Manhattan court. A mugshot is a photograph taken by law enforcement agencies when an individual is arrested and booked.

Apr 04, 2023, 8:17 pm IST

Donald Trump’s videographer traveled with him from Florida to New York to document the behind the scenes, according to CNN reports.

Apr 04, 2023, 9:12 pm IST

Who is Stormy Daniels?

Stormy Daniels featured prominently in a Manhattan grand jury's investigation of Donald Trump. Trump met an adult film actress Stormy Daniels during a golf tournament in July 2006.

Apr 04, 2023, 9:21 pm IST

What happened between Stormy Daniels and Donald Trump?

Daniels was 27 at the time and Trump 60. His third wife, Melania, had given birth to their son Barron about four months earlier. She said Trump invited her to dinner in his hotel room. where he showed her a copy of a golf magazine with his picture on the cover. "And I was like, 'Someone should take that magazine and spank you with it,'" Daniels told the CBS program 60 Minutes in 2018. She said the two later had consensual sex.

Apr 04, 2023, 9:24 pm IST

Daniels said Trump made telephone calls to her over the following year and she met him again at his request in July 2007 at the Beverly Hills Hotel in Los Angeles to discuss her possible appearance on 'Celebrity Apprentice.' Daniels said he wanted to have sex again at the hotel but she declined. She said Trump called her a month later to tell her he had not been able to get her booked on Celebrity Apprentice.

Apr 04, 2023, 9:25 pm IST

The relationship between the two took a drastic turn while Trump was campaigning for the presidential election in 2016.

Apr 04, 2023, 9:26 pm IST

Payment and non-disclosure aggrement

On Oct. 28, 2016, days before the presidential election that Trump won, Daniels signed a non-disclosure agreement in which she pledged not to publicly discuss her relationship with him in exchange for a USD 130,000 payment, according to documents filed in Los Angeles federal court. The pact was signed by Keith Davidson, her lawyer at the time, and Michael Cohen, then Trump's personal lawyer and fixer. The document included a spot for Trump's signature, but he never signed it.

Apr 04, 2023, 9:28 pm IST

In 2018, after the Wall Street Journal reported on the payment to Daniels, Michael Cohen stated publicly that he paid her using his own money and was not directed to do so by Trump. Cohen later testified in court that Trump directed him to make the payment.

Apr 04, 2023, 9:29 pm IST

Daniels sued Trump and Cohen seeking to have the non-disclosure agreement invalidated. Trump's lawyers subsequently acknowledged he did not sign the agreement and would not seek to enforce it. A judge dismissed her lawsuit because the matter was resolved.

Apr 04, 2023, 9:31 pm IST

Defamation suit

Daniels also filed a 2018 defamation lawsuit against Trump in federal court over a Twitter post in which he accused her of a 'con job' after she described being threatened over publicizing her account of the alleged sexual relationship with him. A Los Angeles-based federal judge decided in 2018 that Trump's remarks were not defamatory and were protected by the US Constitution's First Amendment's guarantee of free speech. The judge's decision was upheld on appeal and the US Supreme Court in 2021 declined to review the matter.

Apr 04, 2023, 9:36 pm IST

Mayor Eric Adams of New York City reiterated that there are no credible threats ahead of former President Donald Trump's arraignment today, CNN reports.

Apr 04, 2023, 9:40 pm IST

Who is Juan Merchan? The judge overseeing the case

Judge Juan Manuel Merchan is poised to take the historic hush-money prosecution of Trump himself. Merchan, a former prosecutor with 16 years on the bench, is expected to preside over the unprecedented arraignment of a former U.S. commander in chief. Trump will appear to answer charges arising from a grand jury investigation into payments made during his 2016 campaign to bury allegations that he had extramarital sexual encounters.

Apr 04, 2023, 9:41 pm IST

Merchan has also presided over the Trump Organization criminal case in which the organization was found guilty of 17 criminal counts and Trump's former financial chief Allen Weisselberg pleaded guilty to his role in a 15-year-long tax-fraud scheme. He has also presided over the 2022 criminal trial of Steve Bannon for fraud and money laundering.

Apr 04, 2023, 9:45 pm IST

Trump slams judge ahead of arraignment

Former President Donald Trump lashed out at the judge expected to preside over his arraignment in a Tuesday morning post on his social media platform, Truth Social. He attacked the judge and his family, without naming them, claiming they are known Trump haters, and claiming a potential trial would not be fair.

Apr 04, 2023, 9:54 pm IST

Pro-Trump protesters appear to outnumber the anti-Trump crowd.

Apr 04, 2023, 9:56 pm IST

Trump plans to speak to reporters as he walks through the hallways toward court, one of his lawyers told CNN.

Apr 04, 2023, 10:04 pm IST

Will Trump do a perp walk?

A 'perp walk' - in which a defendant is escorted in handcuffs past media cameras - is unlikely for Trump under US Secret Service protection.

Apr 04, 2023, 10:06 pm IST

US becoming 'Marxist Third World' country: Trump says in email before his surrender

Hours before his arraignment, former president Donald Trump sent an email to his supporters, which he claimed was the last one before his arrest, saying that the United States is becoming a "Marxist Third World" country and went on social media questioning the fairness of the judiciary. "My last email before my arrest," Trump said in the subject line of the email sent to his supporters hours before he was scheduled to be arraigned in a Manhattan court to face criminal charges in connection with hush money payments to adult film star Stormy Daniels in 2016.

Apr 04, 2023, 10:11 pm IST

Spectators, many of them members of the news media, lined up overnight to get a seat inside the courtroom, or even just a glimpse of Trump, who wasn't expected until Tuesday afternoon.

Apr 04, 2023, 10:11 pm IST

The building was surrounded by barricades, and people were undergoing layers of security checks. The reporters waiting in line were camped out under tents with lawn chairs, blankets and pizza boxes. The nation's 45th commander in chief was expected to be escorted from Trump Tower — which was also surrounded by barricades — to a lower Manhattan courthouse by the Secret Service.

Apr 04, 2023, 10:12 pm IST

Trump lawyer says 'no guilty plea'

No guilty plea': Trump attorney Joe Tacopina said the former president's appearance in court for Tuesday's arraignment would be brief because the processing “does not take long.” “It won't be a long day in court,” he said on ABC's “Good Morning America." "We know the basis of the indictment and the factual allegations in the indictment,” Tacopina said, adding that Trump would maintain his innocence. “One thing I can assure you as I sit here today: There'll be no guilty plea in this case. That's one thing I can guarantee you,” he said. Tacopina appeared to predict that the case would ultimately be dismissed. “I don't think this case is going to see a juror,” he said. “I think there's a legal challenge that will be made and should be made successfully.”

Apr 04, 2023, 10:15 pm IST

Trump has decided to say one brief line before entering Manhattan courtroom, advisers say, saving rest of remarks for tonight, reports CNN.