Trump pleads not guilty to 34 criminal charges at Manhattan Court
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White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said that former President Trump's arraignment was not a focus Joe Biden.
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Former President Donald Trump appears in court for his arraignment, Tuesday, April 4, 2023, in New York (AP Photo/Seth Wenig, Pool)
Earlier today, it was reported that Trump appeared at the Manhattan Criminal Court where he is being tried on alleged hush money payments to pornography actress Stormy Daniels.
As the trial is presently ongoing, Trump pleader not guilty to 34 criminal charges of falsifying business records and conspiracy, US media reported.
The indictment against Trump is set to be unsealed alongside the arraignment hearing by Judge Juan Merchan.
Before entering the courtroom, Trump was processed as a defendant, including having fingerprints taken, ABC News reported.
Read more: Trump backers, opponents gather near NY Court where he'll be charged
White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said on Tuesday that President Joe Biden was not concerned by Trump's arraignment that is scheduled to take place in Manhattan, New York.
"Obviously he will catch part of the news when he has a moment to catch up on news of the day but this is not a focus for him," Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said.
KJP: Trump indictment is "not something that is a focus" for Biden. pic.twitter.com/CwpLvrB3q5
— Townhall.com (@townhallcom) April 4, 2023
The only public event on the President's agenda for today was a meeting with advisors on emerging AI technology.
#BREAKING: Karine Jean-Pierre is asked if President Biden might consider pardoning former President Trump as the ex-President is arraigned in Manhattan Criminal Court. pic.twitter.com/vzexs1iu7R
— Forbes (@Forbes) April 4, 2023
Backers and opponents of US former President Donald Trump gathered near the court in Manhattan, where Trump is expected to be charged, a Sputnik correspondent reported from the scene on Tuesday.
A fence has been set up in the square near the court building to separate around a hundred backers and another smaller group of his opponents.
The opponents are accusing the former president of lying and want him to be locked up, while those who back him are carrying flags with his name, including one that says "Trump or death."
A large number of New York Police Department officers stood around the court along with several reporters and TV crews.
Trump wrote on his Truth Social network that the court - based in a district where Democrats have strong support - would be dishonest, and the case should be moved to Staten Island.
It is worth noting that the indictment was voted on by the grand jury on Thursday afternoon and filed under seal, Politico reported citing two people familiar with the matter.
Trump is appearing in Manhattan for his in-person arraignment on charges related to a hush money payment to adult film star Stormy Daniels in the run-up to his 2016 campaign.
The lawsuit filed by the Manhattan District Attorney's Office against Trump focuses on a $130,000 payment to Daniels, who claimed she had an affair with Trump. He has denied the relationship and denied any wrongdoing.
