Mugshot? Handcuffs? What to expect at Trump’s arraignment Tuesday
All eyes will be on former president Donald Trump when he fronts up to Manhattan court on Tuesday to be arraigned on charges tied to the Stormy Daniels “hush money” payment.
The 76-year-old’s expected booking comes days after he made history by becoming the first ever US president to be indicted on criminal charges, including at least one felony offense, for allegedly falsifying business records.
Trump has denied any wrongdoing and blasted Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg’s probe as part of a yearslong “witch hunt” aimed at damaging his 2024 bid for the White House.
His pending arrival in the Big Apple from Florida Monday afternoon has sparked a flurry of heightened security measures across the Big Apple as local authorities and Secret Service juggle the unprecedented proceedings.
Here’s what we know about Trump’s arraignment so far:
What is Trump being indicted for?
Trump will be slapped with charges tied to “hush money” payments made during his 2016 presidential campaign by his then-lawyer and fixer Michael Cohen.
The investigation is eyeing the $130,000 paid to porn star Stormy Daniels and another six-figure payment to former Playboy model Karen McDougal. Daniels has previously said she was paid to keep silent about a sexual encounter she had with Trump at a Lake Tahoe hotel in 2006. Trump denies the affair.
The ex-president is facing more than 30 counts of falsifying business records — including at least one felony charge, sources told The Post.
The specifics of the indictment, which remains under seal, will be disclosed at the arraignment.
Where is Trump being arraigned?
Trump’s arraignment is scheduled for 2.15 p.m. on Tuesday in Manhattan Supreme Court.
Trump — who is flying to Mar-a-Lago to the Big Apple on Monday — is set to turn himself into the Manhattan District Attorney’s Office two to three hours before the hearing, sources with knowledge of the situation told The Post.
When the actual arraignment gets underway, the proceedings are only expected to last between 15 to 20 minutes.
Will Trump be handcuffed or fingerprinted?
Once he turns himself in to the DA’s office, Trump will likely be fingerprinted and have his mugshot taken, sources say.
Trump is expected to be held in an interview room — rather than a jail cell — before his arraignment, a source with knowledge of the plans said.
The 45th president, who will be flanked by Secret Service, won’t be cuffed when it comes time for him to enter the courtroom, according to sources and his lawyer Joe Tacopina.
Tacopina told CNN on Sunday it was unlikely Trump will be perp walked because of security concerns.
Will his mugshot be released?
It is unclear if Trump’s mugshot wound be released publicly.
Under New York state law, such photographs aren’t public records.
One of his attorneys, Alina Habba, told CNN there was no need for a mugshot because Trump is the “most recognized face in the world.”
“Mugshots are for people so that you recognize who they are. He’s the most recognized face in the world, let alone the country, right now, so there’s no need for that,” she said, adding there was “no need for theatrics.”
Will Trump’s arraignment be televised?
A judge will decide later Monday whether cameras and video will be allowed in the courtroom during Trump’s arraignment.
Judge Juan Merchan gave the DA’s office and Trump’s team a 1 p.m. deadline to submit any objections after news outlets requested they be allowed to broadcast the proceedings.
Where is Melania Trump — and will his family be in court?
No Trump family members are expected to join the former president in court for his arraignment, sources have said.
His wife, Melania Trump, is expected to remain behind at Mar-a-Lago.
Are there extra security measures in place?
Courtrooms on the courthouse’s higher floors will be shut down ahead of Trump’s arraignment as part of security precautions, a court official told The Post.
The courthouse will be emptied out for a security sweep in the lead up to the proceedings, the official added.
The NYPD also began erecting barricades along the edge of the sidewalks around the Manhattan court building over the weekend in preparation for expected protests.
What happens after: Will Trump go to jail?
It’s likely Trump will be released on on his own recognizance after his arraignment due to New York’s bail reform laws, which require defendants in non-violent felonies be freed without bail unless they are considered a flight risk.
Trump has already announced he will “deliver remarks” from his Mar-a-Lago resort Tuesday night after his initial court appearance.
Sources say he’ll head straight to LaGuardia airport after the hearing wraps up.
If convicted of a felony charge, Trump could end up behind bars for up to four years.
He could also receive probation and no jail time.
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