Former United States President Donald Trump has pleaded not guilty in New York City to a string of charges linked to an investigation into a payment made to an adult film star ahead of the 2016 presidential vote.
Trump, the first former president to be criminally prosecuted in US history, entered a Manhattan courtroom shortly before 2:30pm (18:30 GMT) on Tuesday to formally hear the accusations against him.
The Republican leader faces 34 felony charges of falsifying New York business records “to conceal damaging information and unlawful activity from American voters before and after the 2016 election”, the Manhattan district attorney’s office said as the indictment was unsealed.
Alvin Bragg, the prosecutor overseeing the case, said the so-called “catch and kill scheme” included three hush money payoffs, including a $130,000 payment to adult film actress Stormy Daniels.
“As this office has done time and time again, we today uphold our solemn responsibility to ensure that everyone stands equal before the law,” Bragg told reporters during a news conference on Tuesday afternoon.
“No amount of money and no amount of power changes that enduring American principle.”
Wearing a dark blue suit and red tie, Trump sat with his hands folded at the defence table on Tuesday as he entered his plea flanked by his lawyers. “Not guilty,” the 76-year-old told the Manhattan court.
He said nothing as he entered the courtroom or when he left roughly an hour later.
Trump, who is seeking re-election in 2024, has denied any wrongdoing and denounced the case as a “witch hunt”.
“Heading to Lower Manhattan, the Courthouse. Seems so SURREAL – WOW, they are going to ARREST ME. Can’t believe this is happening in America,” he posted on social media before his arrival at the Manhattan court.
His arraignment came less than a week after a New York grand jury voted to indict the former president in a move that was welcomed by Trump’s critics but set off widespread criticism from top Republicans.
