New York is preparing for the historic hearing of former President Donald Trump (Reuters)
The former President of the United States, Donald Trump, will make history today (Tuesday): Trump is expected to turn himself in to the Manhattan Criminal Court before the reading of an indictment brought against him for business fraud related to the case known as "hush fees".
Trump is the only president - former or current - in American history to be criminally indicted.
Trump is accused of paying porn actress Stormy Daniels $130,000 in 2016 so she wouldn't reveal the brief relationship they had in 2006, but hid the payment as a business expense.
The former president, who is determined to continue his run in the presidential elections in 2024, said yesterday that this is a "witch hunt" and that "the country, which was once great, is going to hell."
In New York, there are fears of violent demonstrations by Trump supporters during the hearing, and Mayor Eric Adams warned: "Whoever is caught in an act of violence - will be arrested."
Last night, New York State Supreme Court Judge Juan Marchan, who will preside over the hearing, announced that he would not allow cameras into the courtroom during the reading of the indictment in order to prevent arguments from his supporters.
American news organizations, which submitted a request for a live broadcast of the hearing, claimed that it was an "extraordinary public interest" due to the historical importance of the event.
However, five photographers will be allowed in to take stills of Trump and the courtroom before the hearing begins.
Trump's hearing — like most hearings in Manhattan Criminal Court — is a public proceeding, but news organizations' cameras are not usually allowed inside.
This is what the judge wrote in his reasoning:
"There is no disputing the fact that this is an indictment of monumental significance. Never in the history of the United States has a criminal indictment been brought against a sitting or former president. Trump's hearing is generating unprecedented public interest and media attention. People are justifiably hungry for the most accurate and relevant information ".
Marchan added that although he understands the news organizations' request, it must be weighed against "competing interests".
Trump's team also called on the judge to expedite the media's request for cameras in the courtroom.
Donald Trump arrives at Trump Tower, yesterday (Photo: Reuters)
Donald Trump arrives at Trump Tower, yesterday (Photo: Reuters)
Donald Trump arrives at Trump Tower, yesterday (Photo: Reuters)
What is Trump accused of?
The charges against the former president are related to a series of checks, totaling $35,000 each, that he paid during his 2016 presidential campaign to his attorney at the time, Michael Cohen.
Trump thus returned to Cohen the 130,000 dollars he paid to the porn actress Stormy Daniels to ensure her silence, after she threatened at the time to reveal the brief relationship she had with him a decade earlier, in 2006 - hence the nickname "the silence fee".
Trump denies the affair and the payment.
Journalists are waiting for Trump at Trump Tower, New York yesterday (Photo: Reuters)
Stormy Daniels (Photo: Reuters)
Judge Juan Marchan (Photo: GettyImages)
Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Berg (Photo: Reuters)
According to sources, the indictment against Trump includes 30 white-collar charges related to business fraud, because he wrote the checks as a "legal campaign expense" when it was a personal matter.
The indictment itself will be revealed when it is read by the judge.
Where and when will Trump turn himself in?
The 76-year-old Trump is expected to arrive at the Manhattan court at 1:30 p.m. Israel time and undergo a routine arrest process, which includes taking fingerprints and an arrest photo.
It is not clear if the arrest photo will be published - Trump's team is against it but the former president wants to distribute it to squeeze empathy.
The hearing, or the reading of the indictment, will take place in the Supreme Court of New York at 21:15 Israel time - although it is possible that it will take place earlier.
The reading of the indictment, which will be published at the same time in the media, is expected to last about fifteen minutes to twenty minutes, and at the end Trump is expected to plead guilty and be released on his own bail.
If one of the charges against Trump is considered a felony, the penalty is up to four years in prison.
However, Trump will likely receive a fine and probation.
Will Trump be handcuffed?
When Trump turns himself in to the district attorney's office, his fingerprints will be taken, as well as the arrest photo, sources familiar with the matter said.
It is not clear if the photo will be distributed to the public.
After that, Trump will wait for the hearing in an interview room - and not in a prison cell as is customary - one of the sources said.
Trump will be accompanied at all times by secret service agents.
He will not be handcuffed when it comes time to enter the courtroom, said his attorney Joe Tacopina.
Will Trump's arrest photo be released?
Not known yet.
Under New York state law, these photos are not in the public domain—unless someone leaks them.
Alina Heba, Trump's lawyer, told CNN that there is no need for an arrest photo because "the whole world knows his face."
Will the hearing be televised?
Judge Marchan decided against bringing cameras into the courtroom during the reading of the indictment.
Five photographers will be able to enter and take stills of Trump and the hall before the hearing begins.
Where is Melania Trump?
Will Trump's family be in the courtroom?
Trump's family is not expected to join him in court, according to sources.
His wife, Melania, remained in Florida.
What are the security measures?
The halls on the upper floors of the Manhattan court building will be closed for the hearing as part of the security arrangements, a court official told The Washington Post.
Before the hearing, a security check will be conducted in the entire building, which will be filled with people.
"In terms of security, they want as few people as possible in court, as few defendants or visitors as possible so they can rule out possible dangers," said former prosecutor Michael Bachner.
The New York police have placed barricades along the sidewalks around the courthouse, and the entire street is expected to be closed for fear of demonstrations.
All city police officers were asked to wear uniforms and be on alert.
Security in New York ahead of the hearing (Photo: Reuters)
Security in New York ahead of the hearing (Photo: GettyImages)
The New York police have placed barricades along the sidewalks around the courthouse, and the entire street is expected to be closed for fear of demonstrations.
All city police officers were asked to wear uniforms and be on alert.
Will Trump go to jail?
According to estimates, at the end of the hearing, Trump will be released on his own bail.
Under New York's bail laws, defendants charged with non-violent offenses will be released without bail — unless they are a flight risk.
Donald Trump boards his private plane in Florida (Photo: Reuters)
Trump supporters in Florida cheer the former president on his way to New York (Photo: Reuters)
Trump is then expected to immediately return to Florida on his private plane and land at 10:00 PM, Israel time.
The former president then announced that he would address the media.
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