Story by News Editor Ellie Youngs

On Tuesday, April 4, former president Trump appeared in court to plead his case in front of Manhattan prosecutors who have accused him of orchestrating a hush money scheme to secure his spot in the oval office in 2016, and then covering it up to the rest of the public. 

Trump has pleaded not guilty to all 34 felony counts he has been accused of, and throughout the entire process, he sat quietly, saying less than a dozen words. Trump’s plea may also hold significant consequences on his future political career seeing as this case now has him facing a potential criminal trial.

Not only is this case of immense importance for Trump, but also for Manhattan district attorney Alvin Bragg, who brought this case forward. Mr. Bragg made his first comment after the indictment and said, “As this office has done time and time again, we today uphold our solemn responsibility to ensure that everyone stands equal before the law. No amount of money and no amount of power changes that enduring American principle.”

While Trump said little during the arraignment, his comments and presence in the media before the hearing were as loud as expected; during this hearing, Chris Conroy, another prosecutor from the Manhattan district attorney’s office also brought forward threatening posts made by Trump over the past few weeks, one of which claiming that “death and destruction” would be involved if he were to be charged. 

This case is quite polarizing, as was expected, and while the group of Manhattan prosecutors are outspoken in regards to their desire to hold Trump accountable for his actions, Trump’s supporters have also rallied together and protested his arrest, and the case altogether. One supporter who has spoken to the press about her support of President Trump is representative Marjorie Taylor Greene. “Trump is joining some of the most incredible people in history being arrested today,” she said during an interview with Right Side Broadcasting in New York. “Nelson Mandela was arrested, served time in prison. Jesus — Jesus was arrested and murdered by the Roman government.”

This case is ongoing, and the date for the next in-person hearing is set for December 4, 2023.