Over 100 journalists, cameramen, anchormen ready in front of the Manhattan courtroom where Donald Trump will arrive in a few hours for the historic hearing in which he will be indicted and arrested in the Stormy Daniels case , the porn star who allegedly paid in exchange for silence on the their alleged extramarital affair.
The payments, in $35,000 in installments, were recorded by Trump as legal fees, which led to his indictment. The charges against the former president - the first to end up under criminal investigation - would be 34, including forgery of company documents.
A long line of onlookers has also formed since dawn who hope to be able to enter the courtroom to attend the first hearing . There are also four artists who will have to capture the most salient scenes with their pencils.
According to what has been learned , judge Juan Merchan will allow photographers to enter the courtroom and corridors (only before the hearing) but will prohibit cameras from filming . The former president will also be spared the traditional treatments reserved for ordinary prisoners , i.e. handcuffs and mug shots.
THE TENSION – While Trump has arrived at his Trump Tower, on Fifth Avenue, to discuss the defensive strategy with his lawyers in the hearing, the Big Apple is experiencing hours of tension for fear of violent protests or clashes between the tycoon's fans and his opponents . For this reason, exceptional security measures have been taken, with 35,000 uniformed officers patrolling the city, helicopters, the FBI mobilized, barricades and closed roads around the courthouse and Trump Tower.
The White House is also "closely following" the situation and is "in contact with local and state authorities if necessary", but has no indications of "credible specific threats". The mayor of New York Eric Adams and the leaders of the city police gave the same assurance , who however warned: "No act of violence will be tolerated, anyone who violates the law will be arrested".
