PALM BEACH (Florida), April 4: Firing a broadside at the prosecutors and the
judge following his indictment by the Manhattan Grand Jury and arraignment at
the State of New York Supreme Court on Tuesday in the hush-money case, former
President Donald Trump accused Democrats of trying to "interfere in elections
(2024 presidential) by using law enforcement ... They can’t beat us at the ballot
box, so they try to beat us through the law."
He went on, "These radical left lunatics want to interfere in elections by
using law enforcement." "We will make America great again," was
his refrain. "The only crime that I have committed is to fearlessly defend our
nation from those who seek to destroy it," he claimed.
Speaking to supporters after returning to his Mar-a-Lago mansion on Palm Beach
in Florida from the Manhattan, Trump, unfazed by the indictment and arraignment,
went wild calling Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg a criminal and demanding
his prosecution.
Trump called Judge Juan Merchan as “Trump-hating." He alleged that the judge
had taken money from President Joe Biden and his daughter works for Vice- President
Kamala Harris. And they want to get "President Trump" at any cost, Trump charged.
A defiant Trump attacked the judge and the attorney by name. He described Judge
Merchan as a "Trump-hating judge with a Trump-hating wife and family" and Bragg
as a "failed district attorney" who should himself be prosecuted.
“I have a Trump-hating judge with a Trump-hating wife and family whose daughter
worked for Kamala D. Harris and now receives money from the Biden-Harris campaign.
And a lot of them.”
Earlier in the day during the arraignment, Judge Merchan had (anticipating Trump's outbursts) said he would not impose a gag order "at this time even if it were requested" by the prosecution.
However, he had told Trump: "Please refrain from making comments or engaging
in conduct that has the potential to incite violence, create civil unrest, or
jeopardise the safety or well-being of any individuals." But that was not to be once he returned to Mar-a-Lago.
The former President can be hauled up for contempt of court, which invites
a fine and 30 days in jail.
On social media also, Trump had said Judge Juan Merchan "HATES" him and had treated
his company "VICIOUSLY" in a tax fraud case. He also called Bragg an "animal"
and "degenerate psychopath" whose investigation could bring "death and destruction".
Trump pleaded not guilty
In the court room, he was sitting at the defendants' desk, flanked by his lawyers,
after the initial procedures like finger-printing. He was not asked to pose
for a photo, nor handcuffed. He was not subjected to a "perp walk" in which
a defendant is led in handcuffs through media cameras. The media was barred
by the judge inside but allowed five photographers to click for five minutes
inside of the court room before the arraignment proper began. The judge was
allowing the appeal of the Trump lawyers not to let the media in during the
proceedings.
At an arraignment, a defendant hears charges and can enter a plea. Trump pleaded
not guilty on Tuesday to 34 felony counts at the Supreme Court of the State
of New York in Manhattan after being indicted by the Manhattan District Attorney
last week in the case relating to the hush-money payments made during the 2016
Presidential election campaign.
The indictment was kept under wraps and unsealed to Trump in the court of Judge
Juan Manuel Merchan during the arraignment. These charges relate to falsifying
business records in order to conceal "another crime" (the hush-money payment
to adult actress Stormy Daniels), which does not find a place in the indictment.
Outside, the police separated pro-and anti-Trump protesters with barricades.
However, minor confrontations were reported. Trump opponents carried signs of
"Lock Him Up". Hundreds of Trump supporters outnumbered the rival camp.
The security bandobast in the city was unprecedented.
"The indictment itself is boilerplate," attorney Todd Blanche said outside
the Manhattan court complex following Trump's arraignment, ..indictment was
"sad and we're going to fight it, we're going to fight it hard."
Three more cases
Three more cases of the very same nature he is facing: That he tried to overturn
Georgia's election results, That he incited an insurrection at the Capitol on
January 6, 2021; and, That he illegally mishandled classified documents, taking
them to his private residence in Palm Beach after leaving office.
The businessman-turned-politician grew up in New York City, began his real
estate business and entered politics. He has his Trump Tower five km away from
the court complex.
) 
