Live: Security tight as Trump faces historic arraignment in New York

Issued on: 04/04/2023 – 19:12

7:05pm: Trump supporters, critics face off outside courtroom

Trump supporters and detractors are noisily rallying outside the Manhattan courthouse where he is due to appear, separated by barricades set up by police to try to keep order.

A limousine carrying a Trump impersonator wearing a red hat and giving a thumbs-up gesture drove past the scene near Trump Tower, flanked by a pickup truck flying pro-Trump flags.

Meanwhile, his critics held signs including one of Trump dressed in a striped jail uniform behind bars and another that read, “Lock Him Up”.

Standing by is FRANCE 24’s New York correspondent Jessica Le Masurier. Here’s her latest report:

03:24

6:55pm: Fingerprints – but no mug shot?

Once he surrenders to the authorities at Manhattan Criminal Court, Trump is likely to undergo the standard booking procedure of being fingerprinted – and potentially photographed, which would result in an all-time famous mug shot.

However, FRANCE 24’s Douglas Herbert said an amended New York law meant the authorities were unlikely to make such a photo public.

There is no precedent for a former president’s surrender to court authorities, and it remains to be seen whether the unpredictable Trump will follow procedure.

Joe Tacopina, one of Trump’s lawyers, said the former president would not be placed in handcuffs. A “perp walk” – in which a defendant is escorted in handcuffs past media cameras – is unlikely for an ex-president under US Secret Service protection.

6:40pm: Ex-president alleges ‘political persecution’

The twice-impeached Republican claims he is the victim of “political persecution” – but is also using the court case to energise his support base and raise millions of dollars for his bid to reclaim the White House next year.

He plans to speak to reporters as he walks through the hallways toward court, one of his lawyers told CNN.

“THE RADICAL LEFT DEMOCRATS HAVE CRIMINALIZED THE JUSTICE SYSTEM,” Trump wrote on his social media platform Truth Social hours before the hearing, branding the legal proceedings a “kangaroo court.”

6:35pm: Trump to plead not guilty at historic arraignment

Donald Trump is set to plead not guilty to criminal charges in a New York courtroom later today, in an unprecedented case that threatens to upend the 2024 White House race.

Trump is the first sitting or former American president to be criminally indicted – a historic development that has propelled the United States into uncharted political waters.

Amid tight security in Manhattan, and a global media frenzy, the 76-year-old will learn at his arraignment precisely what charges he faces over hush money paid to a porn star ahead of the 2016 election that brought him to power.