Trump arraignment: News, analysis from day’s events

ANALYSIS: During a roughly 30-minute speech Tuesday night at Mar-a-Lago, former President Donald Trump decried criminal charges filed against him in New York.

Former Trump White House chief of staff Mick Mulvaney described the speech as “boring,” while former White House communications director Anthony Scaramucci says Trump “looked subdued.”

Trump spokesperson Liz Harrington said the speech was a message to all Americans and highlighted the “perilous” state of the country.

NEWS: Speaking to supporters at Mar-a-Lago, former President Donald Trump called Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg a “criminal” and attacked the judge overseeing the criminal case against him.

“I have a Trump-hating judge with a Trump-hating wife and family,” Trump said.

NEWS: Hours after he was arraigned in a New York courthouse, President Donald Trump is addressing supporters at his Palm Beach, Florida, estate of Mar-a-Lago.

Granted by chants of “USA,” he railed against the various investigations he is under and criticized Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg.

“As it turns out, virtually everybody that has looked at this case … say there is no crime and that it should never have been brought,” he said of his indictment.

NEWS: On the same day former President Donald Trump was arraigned in a Manhattan courthouse on felony charges, a federal appellate court ruled Stormy Daniels must pay Trump’s attorneys’ legal fees in a civil lawsuit.

Bloomberg News reports that the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals issued a six-page order directing Daniels to pay nearly $122,000 in fees to Trump’s attorneys. That’s on top of more than $293,000 that Daniels had to pay after losing a defmation lawsuit against Trump.

The California case dates back to 2018, when Trump accused Daniels of being a “total con job” in a tweet. At the time, Daniels’ lawsuit said Trump’s tweet was defamatory that would subject Daniels to threats of violence, NBC News reported.

ANALYSIS: Calling the indictment against former President Donald Trump “weaker than I ever thought,” prominent attorney and former Harvard professor Alan Dershowitz believes Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg is using flawed rationale to charge Trump with falsifying business records.

“Why would anybody ever pay hush money if they had to then accurately report the reason they paid the hush money?” Dershowitz told NewsNation. “It’s unthinkable, it has never happened, and neither he or any of his predecessors … have ever prosecuted somebody for a crime like that, for failing to disclose the fact that you paid hush money to prevent your wife and family from learning about an illicit sexual affair.”

Bragg alleges Trump made payments as part of “catch and kill” operation to suppress information harmful to Trump and his campaign while trying to get elected in 2016.

The indictment alleges Trump and his team falsified business records in the course of this, violating state and federal election laws.

Questioning the ability for the court to seat an impartial jury in Manhattan, Dershowitz advocated for the case to be moved to Staten Island. He also suggested no judge would ever dismiss a case against Donald Trump for fear of public reprisal.

“Imagine having to live in New York and have the finger pointed at you, ‘Oh that’s the judge that threw out the case against Donald Trump,'” Dershowitz said. “There’s no way a judge has the courage to throw out a case against Donald Trump.”

NEWS: While the indictment of former President Donald Trump is historic and unprecedented for the United States, it’s not so rare on a global scale.

Over the past two decades, multiple former leaders have been jailed or prosecuted after leaving office, including in democracies such as France and Israel.

Some ex-leaders are still serving sentences, including former Croatian Prime Minister Ivo Sanader, who was found guilty in 2020 of corruption and received an eight-year prison sentence. Others, including Former German President Christian Wulff, had their names cleared.

ANALYSIS: Reacting to the indictment of former President Donald Trump, New Hampshire Gov. Chris Sununu believes the criminal prosecution is “unnecessary” and will further divide the country.

Sununu is a potential contender for the 2024 GOP presidential nomination and said he will likely make a decision on running by this summer.

He has urged his party to move on from the former president but called the arraignment a “circus” and said it would not have happened if Trump wasn’t running in 2024.

“It’s like we’re watching the first episode of a new daytime soap opera,” Sununu told NewsNation. “Unfortunately it’s going to dominate the headlines for all of us for quite some time.”

ANALYSIS: Former White House chief of staff Mick Mulvaney thinks former President Donald Trump will feel optimistic after watching reaction to his arraignment Tuesday.

“I got to think that once he got on the plane and started to hear the chatter … his spirits have got to go up,” Mulvaney told NewsNation. “Even his staunchest opponents, Mitt Romney put put out something in support of the president tonight, John Bolton, who can’t stand Donald Trump was saying nice things about him … and even former Obama officials are saying that they don’t understand exactly why this is happening. All of that combines to probably put him in a really, really good and upbeat mood tonight.”

NEWS: Former President Donald Trump is back in Florida following his indictment in New York.

Trump’s plane landed at Palm Beach International Airport shortly after 6:30 p.m. ET.

From there, he will return to his Mar-a-Lago estate, where he is scheduled to address supporters and the media at 8:15 p.m. ET.

ANALYSIS: The 34-count indictment against former President Donald Trump unsealed Tuesday did not include many details beyond the date of the alleged crime and the New York statute being violated.

Former New York City prosecutor Paul Callan says criticism about the lack of details in the indictment is “unfounded.”

“State indictments are much more bare bones than federal ones,” Callan told NewsNation. “Federal ones are laid out a like a novel and they tell the whole story in great detail.”

Trump is charged with falsifying business records, a misdemeanor that can be enhanced to a felony if the records were falsified to cover up another crime. Jim Schultz, a former Trump White House lawyer, says it’s unclear from the indictment what that other crime is.

“If I were on the defense in this case, I would want to know that, and I think you’ll see a motion for a bill of particulars filed in this case to determine what exactly (prosecutors) are talking about in terms of those crimes,” Schultz said.

NEWS: Donald Trump took to his social media app Truth Social following his arraignment Tuesday, calling a $130,000 payment made to Stormy Daniels a “totally legal” non-disclosure agreement.

“The hearing was shocking to many in that they had no ‘surprises,’ and therefore, no case. Virtually every legal pundit has said that there is no case here,” Trump said. “There was nothing done illegally!”

Trump pleaded not guilty to 34 counts of falsifying business records. Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg alleges Trump made payments as part of “catch and kill” operation to suppress information harmful to Trump and his campaign while trying to get elected in 2016.

The indictment alleges Trump and his team falsified business records in the course of this, violating state and federal election laws.

Trump plans to give an address from his Florida estate at 8:15 ET Tuesday.

ANALYSIS: Former Judge Andrew Napolitano told NewsNation prosecutors are not required to provide details beyond the date of the alleged crime and the statute being violated in an indictment, though they will be required to provide that information to the defense.

“I know little more now than I did when you asked me five hours ago,” Napolitano said.

Based on Bragg’s statements, Napolitano said the case hinges on the use of corporate funds to pay two campaign debts.

Those debts involved payments to two women who claimed to have “intimate relations” with Trump, which he has denied. The payment themselves were not illegal, but the falsifying of business records violates New York law.

The additional crimes being alleged, which move the charge from a misdemeanor to a felony, include violations of New York and federal campaign finance laws and violating tax laws.

ANALYSIS: Trump’s team may attempt to delay the trial with motions as the former president faces criminal charges related to payments allegedly made as part of a “catch and kill” operation.

Duncan Levin, criminal defense attorney, told NewsNation there seem to be three different crimes that are connected to the falsified business records. Falsifying business records is a misdemeanor under New York law, but it can be bumped up to a felony if it is done to conceal another crime.

The defense can be expected to delay the trial as well as raising motions on legal questions, including whether alleged violations of federal election law can be heard in state courts, Levin said. They may also request a change in venue to move the trial out of Manhattan.

“The case at it’s core is pretty simple. The falsification is clear. The question is whether this other crimes evidence is going to be sustainable,” Levin said.

NEWS: As Trump returns to Florida after his arraignment on 34 felony charges of falsifying business records, his campaign reported a continued increase in fundraising.

NEWS: NewsNation producer Kim Anderson reported from inside the courtroom as Trump was arraigned on 34 felony charges.

Trump arrived over 30 mins after the prosecution, walking very slowly and offering a small smile to Judge Juan Merchan.

Trump appeared very stoic, looking down for a lot of the proceeding. He did not look very happy to be there and appeared annoyed at times.

He was read a few questions about his right to representation, have right to be present throughout trial, and if he understood. Trump responded “Yes.”

The judge noted he had no reason to believe Trump would be disruptive but, if so, he has the authority to remove him. Trump said “I know.”

Early on, the defense and prosecution argued over details and potential conflicts of interest.

The prosecution brought up Trump’s social media posts and attorney Joe Tacopina’s alleged Stormy Daniels conflict of interest

Trump attorney Todd Blanche bit back, saying he didn’t realize they were giving opening statements. He cited Trump’s First Amendment right to fee speech.

A gag order was not requested and the judge said he would not have granted one even if it were requested.

Blanche blasted the DA office’s alleged “leaks galore” and called them a “grave injustice.”

The prosecution and defense also went back and forth over date to file motions and the people’s response.

Trump’s team asked for his presence to be waived due the cost to the city and security bringing Trump to New York for trial. The judge denied the request but left the door open to considering it at a later time.

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NEWS: Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg addressed reporters following the arraignment of former President Donald Trump on campaign finance charges.

In the course of making three payments in a “catch and kill” operation to suppress stories harmful to the Trump campaign, the payments involved the creation of shell companies and falsifying records.

Those payments violate state and federal election laws, Bragg said, and Trump’s conduct constituted felony conduct in New York state.

Bragg pointed to New York’s track record prosecuting white collar crimes, including the falsification of business records.

“At it’s core, this case today is one with allegations like so many of our white collar cases. Allegations that someone lied again and again to protect their interests and evade the laws to which we are all held accountable,” Bragg said.

The charges of falsifying business records requires it be done to conceal another crime, but Bragg declined to elaborate on why his office was not charging Trump with those crimes, including violating a cap on campaign contributions.

NEWS: After the conclusion of Trump’s arraignment, the court has set dates for upcoming hearings. Trump will be required to be in New York and attend all the court proceedings.

Aug. 8: Deadline for defense to file motions

Sep. 19: The people’s response to motions

Dec. 4: The court’s ruling on motions

Jan 2024: Proposed trial date from the DA’s office. Trump’s defense has called the date “aggressive.”

NEWS: Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg has released the Donald Trump indictment, which includes 34 felony charges related to falsifying business records.

The charges related to payments in a “catch and kill” operation to suppress information harmful to Trump and his campaign while trying to get elected in 2016. The indictment alleges Trump and his team falsified business records in the course of this, violating state and federal election laws.

The violation of federal election law is what elevates the charges from a misdemeanor to a felony.

Read the full indictment here.

NEWS: Trump has exited a Manhattan courtroom after being arraigned on 34 felony charges and departed for LaGuardia airport. He did not respond to reporter questions as he left the building.

The former president is set to give a prime-time speech from his Mar-a-Lago home Tuesday night.

ANALYSIS: Former White House Press Secretary Stephanie Grisham told NewsNation the Manhattan indictment is just the beginning for Trump.

“This is the start of a steady steady drip of court issues,” Grisham said, citing a civil case against Trump related to rape allegations as well as three other criminal investigations into the former president.

For Trump’s supporters, what’s in the indictment could make a difference.

“If there seems to be irrefutable proof in there, I think people will start to quiet down,” Grisham said.

ANALYSIS: The former president is not expected to have to pay any bail.

Legal analyst Misty Marris told NewsNation that New York state law is clear on bail for white collar crimes.

“There is no bail, bail is not something that will be addressed today,” she said.

While judges can consider bail if a defendant is a flight risk, Trump’s fame and how easily recognizable he is make that unlikely.

NEWS: Trump has pled not guilty to 34 felony counts for falsifying business records in the first degree.

NEWS: As former President Trump is arraigned on campaign finance charges, his campaign has released an email with a mugshot tee shirt.

Trump did not have an official mugshot taken and the image on the shirt is not a real mugshot.

NEWS: Followed by Secret Service agents, former President Trump, along with his legal team and advisors, has entered the courtroom where he will be arraigned on campaign finance charges related to alleged “hush money” payments made to adult film star Stormy Daniels.

NEWS: The arraignment of Donald Trump was set to begin at 2:15 p.m. ET, and Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg has headed into the courthouse.

Judge Juan Merchan has ruled cameras will not be allowed in court during the proceedings, though he is allowing a small number of photographers in to take photos before things begin.

The arraignment is expected to include scheduling for motion trials as well as the unsealing of the charges against the former president.

NEWS: Trump has been arrested inside the Manhattan Criminal Courthouse as he is set to be arraigned on campaign finance charges related to alleged hush money payments to adult film star Stormy Daniels.

Trump was fingerprinted but no mug shot was taken and Trump will not be in handcuffs during the proceedings.

ANALYSIS: The New York City court system is backed up for years for all defendants. Legal analyst Misty Marris told NewsNation it’s likely Trump’s case won’t actually get heard until well beyond 2024.

“I would expect his defense team to do what’s called waiving a speedy trial,” Marris said.

Trump’s lawyers are likely to file a number of pre-trial motions, in part because there are so many novel legal questions that have never been answered before.

NewsNation contributor George Will said a long wait for a trial isn’t just a legal strategy from Trump’s team; it will be a necessity as legal questions like standing, the statute of limitations and the charge being shifted from a misdemeanor to a federal felony.

“‘These are not trivial matters this is the heart of due process,” Will said.

NEWS: Secret Service agent guarded the former president as he entered the Manhattan courthouse where he is to be booked and arraigned on campaign finance charges.

Trump entered through the side door of the courthouse as crowds of supporters, opponents and journalists gathered outside.

Trump posted on his Truth Social network on the way to courthouse.

“Heading to Lower Manhattan, the Courthouse. Seems so SURREAL — WOW, they are going to ARREST ME,” the former president wrote. ” Can’t believe this is happening in America. MAGA!”

NEWS: Crowds gathered ahead of Trump’s arraignment.

NEWS: The former president has departed Trump Tower and is en route to a Manhattan courthouse where he will be booked and arraigned on campaign finance charges.