Trump's Arraignment Day: What's happening in Lower Manhattan

George Santos showed up, briefly [FORWARD TO A FRIEND]( [VIEW IN BROWSER]( [DONATE]( [WNYC Politics Brief] Trump is expected to be arraigned this afternoon. Here's what's happening. [Rep. Marjoie Taylor Greene in a crowd outside the courthouse in Lower Manhattan Tuesday morning] Stephen Lovekin/Shutterstock. Former President Donald Trump is expected to arrive at Manhattan criminal court [for his arraignment Tuesday afternoon]( marking what will be the first arrest of an ex-president in the country’s history. Hundreds of journalists from across the world lined up outside the courthouse to watch the unprecedented proceedings, some [waiting overnight]( to get a spot in the packed courtroom. A crowd of pro-Trump protesters also gathered in Lower Manhattan — including Georgia Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, who briefly ["headlined" a rally]( hosted by the New York Young Republican Club. "Trump is joining some of the most incredible people in history being arrested today," Greene said in the car [on her way out]( of the area. "Nelson Mandela was arrested, served time in prison. Jesus! Jesus was arrested and murdered." While the specific charges against Trump haven't been publicly disclosed, we do know the indictment comes amid Manhattan D.A. Alvin Bragg’s investigation into a $130,000 payment to adult film star Stormy Daniels — who claims to have had an affair with Trump in 2006 — just before the 2016 presidential election. The payment included a nondisclosure agreement that kept Daniels’ story from coming out prior to the election. New York GOP Chairman Ed Cox — who had a fundraising role on Trump’s 2020 campaign but has so far remained neutral in the 2024 race — called Trump’s indictment a "miscarriage of justice, an outrageous violation of democratic norms and a travesty for our politics at home and reputation abroad." But Cox — who's experiencing mild symptoms from COVID, according to a spokesperson — did not attend today's pro-Trump rally. Rep. George Santos, who [briefly passed through the scene]( was the only member of New York's GOP Congressional delegation who appeared to show up. NYPD Commissioner Keechant Sewell said streets around Trump Tower will close to traffic as Secret Service agents escorts the former president to the lower Manhattan courthouse. Beyond that, she said [officials will make real-time decisions]( about establishing security checkpoints. "We’re trying to have a minimal amount of intrusion into city life," Sewell said. For more information on Trump's arrest, [follow NPR's live blog]( and tune in to WNYC starting at 2 p.m. for live on-air coverage. --------------------------------------------------------------- 🗳️ --------------------------------------------------------------- More political headlines: [cameras outside Trump Tower] ['Big news in the Middle East' — Trump's saga captivates worldwide audience]( Dozens of international reporters gathered at Manhattan Criminal Court on Tuesday to cover the first-ever arraignment of a former U.S. president. [City Council on a sunny day] [The City Council primary is still set for June]( With a lawsuit over the legality of recently redrawn district lines still pending, New York City is moving ahead with a scheduled June 27 primary election for all 51 City Council seats. [The State Capitol building in Albany on a cloudy day] [Already late, Gov. Kathy Hochul and NY lawmakers punt budget to next week]( Hochul and Democratic lawmakers have struggled to reach consensus on the governor’s two biggest priorities: Her plan to add more housing and her push for tougher bail laws. [New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy] [NJ Gov. Phil Murphy OKs 'Elections Transparency Act' that prompted campaign watchdogs to resign]( The bill will require so-called "dark money" groups to report donations over $7,500, but will also allow larger campaign contributions and replace local pay-to-play laws with generally weaker standards. [a LinkedIn photo of Kellen Curry] [A former banker is challenging Rep. George Santos in the 2024 GOP primary]( Kellen Curry — an Air Force reservist, confirmed former J.P. Morgan vice president and self-described "kitchen table Republican" — has filed paperwork to run for Santos' seat. --------------------------------------------------------------- 🗳️ --------------------------------------------------------------- [the logo for Brian Lehrer's politics podcast] [Your legal and political questions on the Trump indictment, answered]( NYU law professor Melissa Murray and Politico White House bureau chief Jonathan Lemire discuss the political considerations for Donald Trump and his rivals in light of his arraignment. [LISTEN]( Support WNYC + Gothamist Make a donation to support local, independent journalism. Your contributions are our largest source of funding and pays for essential political coverage and more. [DONATE]( [Facebook]( [Facebook]( [Twitter]( [Twitter]( [Instagram]( [Instagram]( [WNYC]( [WQXR]( [NJPR]( [GOTHAMIST]( [WNYC STUDIOS]( [THE GREENE SPACE]( Copyright © New York Public Radio. 160 Varick Street, New York, NY 10013 All rights reserved. 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