What’s expected from Trump’s court appearance to face charges over hush money paid to porn star

WASHINGTON - Former United States president Donald Trump is to appear before a judge in New York on Tuesday to face charges over a hush money payment to porn star Stormy Daniels.

Here is what is expected as the 76-year-old becomes the first former US president to face criminal charges:

Surrender

Trump, who was indicted by a grand jury last week, flew into New York on Monday from his Mar-a-Lago residence in Florida to surrender to the authorities in New York.

Trump is expected to be fingerprinted and may also have a mug shot taken on Tuesday at a Manhattan courthouse, but Mr Joe Tacopina, one of Trump’s lawyers, said the former president would not be placed in handcuffs.

Heavy security has been put in place around the court complex where Trump is to be booked on charges that have not yet been made public yet.

Supporters of the former president have announced plans to hold a rally on Tuesday morning outside Trump Tower, where the real estate tycoon was spending the night.

A grand jury indicted Trump after hearing testimony from a number of witnesses about a US$130,000 (S$173,000) payment to adult film actress Stormy Daniels to buy her silence about an affair she had with Trump in 2006.

Arraignment

Following his booking, Trump will be arraigned before Judge Juan Merchan, at which time he will be presented with the charges and enter a plea.

The arraignment is expected to take place at 2.15pm local time (Wednesday, 2.15am Singapore time) and the charges are expected to be made public at that time.

The judge may set conditions for Trump’s release and schedule the next court date.

Mr Tacopina said Trump will plead not guilty.

He would seek to have the charges dismissed without going to trial, the lawyer said, adding that there is “zero” chance the former president will enter into a plea agreement with prosecutors.

“President Trump will not take a plea deal in this case,” Mr Tacopina told NBC’s Today show.

“It’s not going to happen. There’s no crime.”

Trump is expected to leave New York for Florida shortly after the arraignment and plans to make an address at Mar-a-Lago at 8.15 pm local time (Wednesday, 8.15am Singapore time).

Jail time?

While the criminal charges remain sealed, it is difficult to predict whether a potential conviction could see the unprecedented situation of a former US president being sentenced to prison.

The charges against Trump are believed to involve business fraud and campaign finance violations, but whether they rise to the level of felonies – which carry potential jail time – is unknown for now.

Trump has no criminal record and whether he would be sentenced to prison in the event of a conviction remains to be seen.

2024 White House race

Trump can – and undoubtedly will – pursue his 2024 White House run despite facing criminal charges.

Nothing in the Constitution prevents someone from running for the nation’s highest office while facing charges.

Even if convicted, Trump would be able to keep campaigning and would not be barred from serving as president.

The 14th Amendment does prohibit anyone who has “engaged in insurrection or rebellion” from holding elected office.

The House of Representatives impeached Trump for incitement of insurrection for the Jan 6, 2021 attack on Congress by his supporters, but he was acquitted by the Senate.

A special counsel is currently looking into Trump’s role in the Jan 6 assault on the US Capitol, and a prosecutor in Georgia is investigating his efforts to overturn the results of the presidential election in the southern state. — AFP