Former President Donald Trump pleaded not guilty to 34 felony counts during a historic arraignment in a New York court on Tuesday, marking the first time a current or former U.S. president faced criminal charges.
Judge denies live broadcast of Trump arraignment
Acting New York Supreme Court Judge Juan Merchan rejected requests from media outlets, including CNN, to broadcast the proceedings live. In a Monday night order, Merchan acknowledged the "monumental significance" of the case but ruled that competing interests outweighed the demand for public access. He noted, "Never in the history of the United States has a sitting or past President been indicted on criminal charges."
While live coverage was barred, Merchan permitted five pool photographers to capture still images in the courtroom before the arraignment formally began. The proceeding, like most in the Manhattan courthouse, remains public but without cameras.
Charges stem from hush-money investigation
The indictment follows Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg’s probe into hush-money payments made during the 2016 presidential campaign to women alleging extramarital affairs with Trump, which he denies. The charges had not been unsealed prior to the arraignment, and Trump’s legal team vowed to fight for their dismissal.
Trump, who arrived in Manhattan ahead of the hearing, did not plan to speak publicly in New York on Tuesday, heeding advice from his legal team to avoid vitriol toward the prosecutor and judge. However, aides confirmed he would deliver a prime-time address from Mar-a-Lago in Florida, defending his case and addressing other investigations.
