Former United States President Donald Trump is in New York to make his first appearance in court today on allegations of criminal charges.
Trump has been under investigation over hush money he allegedly paid just before the 2016 election to a porn star who claimed they had sex – an act he denies.
Trump, who is the first ex-American president to face to face a criminal office wrote “WITCH HUNT” on his Truth Social platform shortly before leaving his Florida home for New York on Monday.
Dozens of police and court officers, as well as Secret Service agents, are expected to escort Donald Trump through the streets of New York as he makes his way to the Lower Manhattan court complex for the trial, with protests expected outside the court premises.
The charges levied against Trump will be fully disclosed at the hearing, which is scheduled to start at 14:15 local time (19:15 BST). His lawyers have already said he will plead not guilty.
Donald Trump will first be fingerprinted and processed by officials and after his identity has been fully confirmed, he will then be considered under arrest and in custody. He will then be arraigned in court where the charges will be read out and he will plead.
Donald Trump is said to have transferred over $130,000 (£105,000) via wire transfer through his former attorney, Michael Cohen, to adult film actress Stormy Daniels shortly before the 2016 presidential election.
Though he says the accusation was not true and hush money payments in its form are not illegal, the Manhattan prosecutor is investigating if business records were falsified in relation to the payment.
Trump’s legal team has opposed allowing cameras in the courthouse, saying it would create a circus-like scene.
However, Judge Merchan ruled that some press photographers will be allowed to take pictures for some time before the arraignment formally starts.
After the court proceeding, Donald Trump is expected to be released on bail, after which he will return to his Mar-a-Lago home.