New York City braces for historic Trump court appearance

US Mayor Eric Adams tells protesters to ‘control yourselves’ in the lead-up to Donald Trump’s criminal court appearance.

A protester holds up signs criticising former US President Trump, ahead of Tuesday’s anticipated court appearance Dorian Geiger

By Dorian Geiger

New York City, United States –Cable news trucks flanked the block around a lower Manhattan court on Monday, as police and protesters prepared for the historic arraignment of former US President Donald Trump.

The Republican leader had landed at New York’s LaGuardia Airport at about 3:30pm Eastern time (19:30 GMT) on Monday, as he prepared to make his first court appearance the next day.

But already, onlookers had started to gather around the Manhattan Criminal Court.

Tourists mingled with passing New Yorkers. Reporters swarmed the sidewalks. A woman sat on a nearby park bench, wearing a Guy Fawkes mask and a red sweatshirt emblazoned with MAGA, the acronym for Trump’s slogan “Make America Great Again”.

And though the court was closed for the day, dozens had formed a line at its entrance, hoping to win a spot inside to witness Tuesday’s court proceedings.

Cameras clustered on a sidewalk in lower Manhattan as reporters do live coverage. They're cordoned off by a low fenced barrier. On the outside, a biker passes through. — Reporters prepare to document Donald Trump’s court appearance as he becomes the first former president to face criminal charges Dorian Geiger

While the indictment remains sealed, Trump is expected to face criminal charges related to a hush-money payment he allegedly made to the adult film actress Stormy Daniels, just before the 2016 presidential election.

Trump’s arraignment on Tuesday is expected to be a carefully choreographed spectacle. The city has ordered 35,000 officers to be in uniform and ready for any security threats.

And the court system is said to be collaborating with the New York City Police Department (NYPD), the US Secret Service and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) to ensure orderly proceedings.

On Monday, New York City Mayor Eric Adams warned any would-be agitators against initiating violence in response to Trump’s arraignment.

“While there may be some rabble-rousers thinking about coming to our city tomorrow, our message is clear and simple: control yourselves,” Adams told reporters. “New York City is our home, not a playground for your misplaced anger.”

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