Former US President Donald Trump will appear Tuesday evening before a judge in a Manhattan court in New York to face criminal charges, and the judicial proceedings include several steps starting with Trump's transfer to court and likely ending with leaving him at large.
The proceedings are supposed to be brief, but it is a historic moment in the United States, as no previous U.S. president has ever faced criminal charges.
At the end of these proceedings, the judge will decide whether to proceed with the trial or to suspend it.
The Republican leader faces more than 30 counts of falsifying business records, including at least one charge that amounts to a felony.
A grand jury in New York recently convicted Trump of paying $160,2016 in bribes to former actress Stormy Daniels, whose real name is Stephanie Clifford, to buy her silence ahead of the November <> presidential election. Daniels says she had an affair with him, which the former president denies.
Manhattan District Attorney later formally indicted the former president in this case. Even if Trump is convicted on criminal charges, that won't stop him from running for president in 2024.
In a statement Monday evening, Trump said the Manhattan district attorney illegally leaked information about the indictment, adding that this warranted immediate indictment, which the former president had previously deemed to be politically persecuted by Democrats.
Trial Steps
Secret Service police are scheduled to escort the former US president from the tower he owns and bears his name to the courthouse in Manhattan, New York.
Trump arrived at the tower yesterday evening in preparation for turning himself in.
Yahoo News quoted a source as saying that the Manhattan District Attorney's Office saw no reason to handcuff Trump or photograph his face from all sides like those arrested.
However, the fingerprints of the former president are expected to be taken, as this is one of the routine procedures for people who appear in US courts.
US media reported that a judge ruled late on Monday that television cameras were not allowed inside the courtroom.
Prosecutors, led by New York Attorney General Alvin Bagh, are due to read out the incriminating text handed down by the grand jury last week.
After reading out the indictment in court, Trump is expected to plead not guilty.
The judge is expected to decide to leave Trump free because the charges against him do not warrant bail, the Associated Press reported.
After the proceedings are over, Trump will return to his residence in Mar-a-Lago, Florida, and is scheduled to appear the same evening at a rally of his supporters.
The Associated Press said the former president's court appearance proceedings would be relatively short, noting that the indictment includes several counts of falsifying tax records, including at least one criminal charge.
Upcoming protests
Meanwhile, the NYPD is preparing for protests by supporters of the former US president to denounce what they see as a political trial of him.
Trump supporters, including Republican Rep. Marjorie Taylor, announced they would travel to New York today to protest in front of Manhattan District Court.
The NYPD spokesman said police would ensure that everyone could exercise their right peacefully, adding that there were currently no credible threats.
AFP reported that NYPD officers were put on alert and that the police remained ready to respond to any emergency if needed during former US President Donald Trump's court appearance this evening.
New York security forces have stepped up their actions around the attorney general's office and the Manhattan District Court, while holding some small pro- or anti-Trump rallies.
In parallel, police in Washington have tightened security, particularly around Congress, amid expectations that demonstrations in support of the former US president could take place.
The US authorities fear a repeat of the scenario of storming the Congress on January 6, 2021, after Trump called on his supporters to demonstrate in protest against what he described as the theft of the presidential election result by Democrats.