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A4 U.S. NEWS
Tuesday 4 april 2023

Trump returns to New York to face charges in criminal probe

By MICHAEL R. SISAK, TERRY also said he had faith in the
SPENCER and WILL WEISSERT nation’s legal system.
Associated Press Florida Trump supporters
NEW YORK (AP) — Former gathered at a West Palm
President Donald Trump Beach shopping center
flew Monday from Florida on the way to the airport,
to New York for his historic hours before he was set to
booking and arraignment pass along the route. Boca
on hush money charges, as Raton firefighter Erik So-
the nation’s largest city bol- lensten and his retired col-
stered security and warned league, John Fischer, put
potential protesters it was up banners. One was 30 by
“not a playground for your 6 feet (9 by 2 meters), pic-
misplaced anger.” turing police officers and
Trump’s motorcade ride firefighters saying, “Thanks
from his Mar-a-Lago club to for having our backs, Presi-
his red, white and blue Boe- dent Trump.”
ing 757, emblazoned with “We are fire-rescue. We are
his name in gold letters, prepared and don’t like to
was carried live on cable wait for things to happen,”
television. It took him past said Solensten, who took a
supporters waving banners vacation day to show sup-
and cheering, decrying port for Trump. “He needs
the case against him stem- Former President Donald Trump waves to supporters upon arriving at Trump Tower, Monday, April morale just like everyone
ming from payments made 3, 2023, in New York. else needs morale. He’s
during his 2016 campaign Associated Press done more for this coun-
as politically motivated. ried Trump years before he former federal prosecutor, by nearby street closings, try than any 10 presidents
Trump is already months got into politics. Trump de- has previously represented especially as the former combined.”
into a third campaign to nies having sexual liaisons Trump’s former campaign president came and went. Trump senior adviser Ja-
reclaim the White House he with either woman and has chairman Paul Manafort. Additional security was also son Miller said the cam-
lost to President Joe Biden denied any wrongdoing in- The people would not in the works. A small group paign had raised $7 million
in 2020, and he and his ad- volving payments. publicly discuss details of of supporters hung large since word of the indict-
visers seemed to relish the It’s an unprecedented the legal team’s plan and “Trump 2024” banners ment broke, but official
attention. Cable networks chapter in American his- therefore spoke to The As- across from a makeshift figures have not yet been
followed his plane at air- tory, with Trump the first sociated Press on condition pen of reporters, a block released. One Trump fund-
ports in Florida and New former president to face of anonymity. away from Trump Tower. raising email Monday car-
York with video from the criminal charges. But he’s The former president Authorities also have taken ried the subject line, “To-
air, and Trump was joined betting it could actually planned to spend the night steps to close and secure morrow, I will be arrested.”
aboard by a small group of boost his chances at win- at Trump Tower, then sur- the courthouse floor where Top Republicans, including
senior campaign aides as ning the presidency again render to authorities on Trump is to appear before some of Trump’s potential
well as his son, Eric Trump, next year. In the meantime, Tuesday for booking and a judge as part of his ar- rivals in next year’s GOP
who eagerly posted photos the case is causing major the arraignment. raignment. presidential primary, have
of the wall-to-wall TV cover- legal, political and cultural Officials have so far not One of Trump’s staunchest decried the case against
age from his seat. events to collide in unprec- seen an influx of people defenders in Congress, Re- him.
The scene was quite dif- edented ways. coming into the city, as was publican Rep. Marjorie Tay- Biden, who has yet to for-
ferent in New York, where Trump’s team was embrac- the case in Washington in lor Greene of Georgia, was mally announce that he’s
Trump built a national profile ing the media circus. After the days before a mob of helping to organize a rally seeking reelection next
in business and entertain- initially being caught off Trump supporters overran in New York for Tuesday year, and other leading
ment but became deeply guard by news of the in- the U.S. Capitol in January morning, and Mayor Ad- Democrats have largely
unpopular as he moved dictment last Thursday eve- 2021. Still, they warned that ams took the unusual step had little to say about it, in-
into politics. Prosecutors say ning, he and his aides are possessing a weapon in of calling her out by name. cluding on Monday.
their case against him has hoping to use the case to certain areas of the city, in- “Although we have no spe- Trump’s former U.N. Am-
nothing to do with politics his advantage. That idea cluding near courthouses, cific threats, people like bassador, Nikki Haley, was
and have defended the clashed with the former is a crime. Marjorie Taylor Greene, campaigning near the
work of Manhattan District president’s own attorneys, “While there may be some who is known to spread U.S.-Mexico border and
Attorney Alvin Bragg who is however, who asked the rabble rousers thinking misinformation and hate suggested that coverage
leading it. judge in a Monday filing to about coming to our city speech, she’s stated she’s of the former president’s
Trump is facing multiple ban photo and video cov- tomorrow, our message is coming to town,” Adams indictment was distracting
charges of falsifying busi- erage of his arraignment, clear and simple: control said. from other key issues such
ness records, including at which is expected Tuesday yourselves,” said New York “While you’re in town, be as immigration.
least one felony offense, afternoon. Mayor Eric Adams. “New on your best behavior.” But she also said, “You’ve
in the indictment handed Repeating his frequent de- York City is our home, not Arriving in Minnesota where got a liberal prosecutor
down by a Manhattan nunciation, Trump posted, a playground for your mis- he was touring a factory that’s doing political re-
grand jury last week. The in- “WITCH HUNT” on his social placed anger. We are the to promote his adminis- venge against a former
vestigation is scrutinizing six- media network. safest large city in Amer- tration’s economic poli- president.”
figure payments made to He also bolstered his legal ica because we respect cies, Biden was asked if he “We’re dealing with a lot of
porn actor Stormy Daniels team Monday, adding a the rule of law in New York thought there would be un- political drama that’s un-
and former Playboy model third high-profile attorney, City.” rest in New York. necessary because you’ve
Karen McDougal. Todd Blanche, according Trump Tower was open “No, I have faith in the New got political, vengeful peo-
Both say they had sexual to three people familiar Monday, but traffic was York Police Department,” ple out there,” Haley told
encounters with the mar- with the matter. Blanche, a expected to be snarled the president replied. He Fox News Channel.q