Former president flies out to be arrested over alleged hush money to Stormy Daniels in 2016
Donald Trump told his supporters as he set off to be arrested in New York that it would be “impossible” for him to receive a fair trial.
Trump’s motorcade swept out of Mar-a-Lago, Florida, soon after midday, past lines of cheering supporters. News crews in helicopters followed the former president on his short drive to the nearby airport in Palm Beach, where his private jet, known as Trump Force One, was waiting.
Trump was seen boarding the plane followed by his Secret Service detail and an array of advisers, including his 2024 campaign team, and it took off in the early afternoon. He was expected to arrive at LaGuardia airport before heading to Trump Tower in Manhattan.
Trump boards his plane at Palm Beach airport in Florida, accompanied by his security detail
He wrote on his Truth Social platform: “On Tuesday morning I will be going to, believe it or not, the Courthouse. America was not supposed to be this way!
“The Corrupt D.A. [district attorney] has no case. What he does have is a venue where it is IMPOSSIBLE for me to get a Fair Trial (it must be changed!), and a Trump Hating Judge, hand selected by the [George] Soros backed D.A. (he must be changed!). Also has the DOJ working in the D.A.’s Office — Unprecedented!”
The district attorney who investigated the case is Alvin Bragg, an elected Democrat, while the judge is Juan Merchan, who has overseen several cases involving Trump and his companies.
The charges against Trump are under seal but are thought to involve business fraud and campaign-finance violations. They are reported to have arisen from alleged hush money paid before the 2016 election to Stormy Daniels, a porn star with whom Trump is alleged to have had an affair.
The former president’s motorcade travelling to Palm Beach
A supporter stands outside Trump Tower in New York
As his plane took off, Trump issued another barrage of defiant posts on Truth Social. “HEADING TO NEW YORK. MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN!!!,” he wrote, adding: “WITCH HUNT, as our once great Country is going to HELL!” Trump added. “AMERICA FIRST!”
New York is braced for disturbances. “While there may be some rabble-rousers thinking about coming to our city tomorrow, our message is clear and simple: control yourselves,” said Eric Adams, the mayor. “New York city is our home, not a playground for your misplaced anger. We are the safest large city in America because we respect the rule of law in New York city.”
Trump supporters, including one of his staunchest defenders in Congress, the Republican congresswoman from Georgia Marjorie Taylor Greene, plan a rally in New York tomorrow before his arrest.
“Although we have no specific threats, people like Marjorie Taylor Greene, who is known to spread misinformation and hate speech — she’s stated she’s coming to town,” Adams said. “While you’re in town, be on your best behaviour.”
Source: The Times
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