By David K. Li and Corky Siemaszko -
NBC News
This Tuesday is a day that will be remembered in the history of the United States, but Peter Don and Monique Beckford Khalia will remember it not only for the historic criminal indictment against a former president.
Just around the corner from the Manhattan Courthouse, the couple lined up after noon Tuesday to say “I do” at the Marriage Bureau.
“I didn't know this (the Trump impeachment) was happening here,” said Don, 30.
"It's funny, but it's not going to ruin our day."
[This is what is expected to happen in court with Trump and the environment around him]
“This is our day,” Khalia, 25, was quick to stress.
Alongside couples lining up to get married, protesters chanted for and against Trump, who has pleaded not guilty to 34 counts of forgery of documents for his alleged role in paying two women during the presidential election campaign. 2016.
A small army of police, almost 40,000, was sent by the city council to keep both groups apart and avoid a possible altercation.
Monique Beckford Khalia and Peter Don. David K Li / NBC News
A block from the Marriage Bureau, the anti-Trump crowd was annoyed by Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, a Republican from Georgia, who arrived to support the former president and quickly left the venue.
Earlier, the questioned George Santos, a Republican representative from New York, had joined a small group of Trump allies who were protesting outside the court.
The congressman stayed for about 30 minutes and left, describing the accusation against the former president as "media chaos."
[Trump pleads not guilty to 34 counts of document falsification and conspiracy]
New York Mayor Eric Adams warned Trump supporters Monday that police would not hesitate to arrest anyone who broke the law.
“New York is our home, not a playground for your misplaced anger,” he warned.
Adams backed up his warning by sending police officers to keep the peace outside the courthouse.
Historic image: Donald Trump's motorcade arrives at court under heavy security
April 4, 202302:15
"It is our day"
Love reigned in the line of couples waiting to get married.
Among them, Jason Mcfarland and Dominic Lamarco looked radiant.
The couple also chose this day for their wedding months ago and were initially apprehensive when they learned the ceremony coincided with Trump's impeachment.
The nervous couple said that they relaxed knowing that they would say “yes, I want to” hours before the former president arrived in court.
"It's something we'll never forget, that's for sure
," Macfarland, 38, acknowledged.
[Witch hunt or legal process? Experts analyze the criminal accusation against Trump]
That Trump was indicted the same day they were getting married made their day "more joyful," said Lamarco, 30.
Martin Sefranek, 43, and Jared Kronenberg, 42, also waited in line and shared the sentiment of joy.
“It will be a nice anecdote to add to our story
,” Sefranek said.
Kronenberg said that they prepared for the scenario in which it was impossible to reach the court.
“We thought what was happening was so terrible that we could blame him (Trump) for ruining our wedding day as well,” Kronenberg said with a smile.
“Either way, we have a story to tell.”
Trump's lawyers speak after the hearing, claiming that the prosecution does not have a "solid case"
April 4, 202303:51
North of there, in Midtown, life went on as usual.
You could see the usual lunchtime crowds basking in the cool spring sun.
The subways were still full of homeless people.
New Yorkers like Chris McCalla, 28, said they were taking a break from social media and from Trump.
"I'm not interested in (what's going on)
," McCalla said.
But Diletta Floritamanetti, a 51-year-old tourist visiting from Italy, said she had been following the Trump story and "didn't find it funny."
“I really don't like it,” he said of the former president.