Donald Trump’s private Boeing 757 jetliner arrived at LaGuardia Airport on the afternoon of April 3, bringing Trump to New York City from Florida for booking and arraignment on criminal charges contained in a sealed indictment related to the Stormy Daniels hush money case. The indictment was returned last week as the result of a case brought by Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg’s office.
A motorcade from LaGuardia took Trump over the Triboro Bridge and down the East River Drive. The logistics had been worked out by law enforcement agencies including the Secret Service and New York Police Department. There were only minor gatherings of pro-Trump and anti-Trump demonstrators, who were kept far distant from Trump Tower on Fifth Avenue. Buses were used in some spots to act as barriers and the press was kept a full block away. Trump was taken to a side entrance of Trump Tower.
Trump’s April 4 court appearance was to be preceded by him being booked, which includes having a mug shot taken and being fingerprinted. His appearance in court to enter a plea to the charges was scheduled for Tuesday at 2:15 p.m. District Attorney Alvin Bragg was scheduled to hold a news conference at 3:30 and talk about the charges.
Trump planned to fly back to Florida after his court appearance and was scheduled to speak at 8:15 p.m. about the indictment during an event at his Mar-a-Lago resort.
Trump previously issued a statement saying that the indictment is “Political Persecution and Election Interference at the highest level in history.” Trump continued, “Never before in our Nation”™s history has this been done.”
The grand jury was presented with evidence that Trump conspired with his former Attorney Michael Cohen to pay Daniels $130,000 in exchange for her silence about a sexual relationship they had. Cohen advanced the money on behalf of Trump. Cohen pleaded guilty to federal charges in the case and served time in jail. The money was paid to Daniels shortly before the 2016 election.
