Former President Donald Trump said he is scheduled to leave his Florida home on Monday to travel to New York City where he will appear in court on Tuesday following last week’s indictment.
“I will be leaving Mar-a-Lago on Monday at 12 noon, heading to Trump Tower in New York,” Trump wrote on Truth Social. “On Tuesday morning I will be going to, believe it or not, the Courthouse. America was not supposed to be this way!”
Previously on Truth Social, Trump went after Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg who pursued the indictment following a years-long investigation, suggesting that “the corrupt D.A. has no case”.
“The Corrupt D.A. has no case. What he does have is a venue where it is IMPOSSIBLE for me to get a Fair Trial (it must be changed!),” Trump wrote. “And a Trump Hating Judge, hand selected by the Soros backed D.A. (he must be changed!). Also has the DOJ working in the D.A.’s Office – Unprecedented!”
The details of Trump’s indictment are still unknown because they are under seal until the arraignment occurs. According to Fox News, the charges are likely related to Trump’s alleged hush money scandal.
Trump’s lawyer Joe Tacopina told CNN host Dana Bash on Sunday that he expects to make a motion to dismiss any charges.
New York Supreme Court Judge Juan Merchan will be presiding over the case. This is not the first Trump-related case Merchan has overseen.
Last year, Merchan presided over the criminal tax fraud case against the Trump Organization. A jury found two companies within the Trump Organization guilty of 17 felonies related to tax fraud and falsifying business records. The company was ordered to pay $1.6 million in fines.
The Trump Organization’s former CFO, Allen Weisselberg, was also sentenced to five months in prison.
Trump himself was not a defendant in the case.
Regarding Trump’s arraignment on Tuesday, a source tells Fox News that the former president is expected to arrive at the 100 Centre Street courthouse in New York City around 11 a.m.
It’s expected to last approximately 15 to 30 minutes and security will be tight. Trump is not expected to be involved in a “perp walk” or be placed in handcuffs.
The judge is expected to read the charges against Trump and ask him to enter his plea. Trump will then be escorted out.
Trump is the first former U.S. president in history to face criminal charges. He is currently the front-runner for the 2024 Republican nomination.
