By Ogochukwu Isioma
Former United States’ President, Donald Trump has pleaded not guilty to criminal charges preferred against him by the American government, U.S media reports.
Trump, who is being prosecuted on a 34 felony counts, including falsifying business records, made the plea during his arraignment at the Manhattan criminal court, on Tuesday.
The ex-President arrived the court in a motorcade and police escort to face charges also related to hush money paid to a porn star ahead of the 2016 election that brought him to power.
Trump turned himself in Tuesday for the historic court hearing held amid tight security and a global media frenzy, as the Republican billionaire becomes the first American president in history to face criminal charges.
Prosecutors accused Trump of covering up a potential sex scandal during the 2016 presidential campaign, unveiling the 34 felony charges that open a perilous chapter in the long public life of the billionaire businessman who rose to the presidency.
Trump was indicted last week — becoming the first former American president to face criminal charges — and he surrendered to the authorities in Manhattan court on Tuesday afternoon.
The former president was released from custody without pre-trial restrictions and allowed to leave the Manhattan criminal court in a motorcade after the not guilty plea.
Biden not focused on Trump’s case, says White House
U.S President, Joe Biden is not focused on Trump’s arraignment, the White House has said, reiterating its refusal to comment on the details of case.
“The president is going to focus on the American people like he does every day. This is not something that is a focus for him,” White House spokeswoman, Karine Jean-Pierre told reporters.
ex-President’s prosecution political, says Republican chief
Republican Congressman, Jim Jordan, who chairs the House Judiciary Committee, has suggested that the charges against Trump are political and linked to the former president’s 2024 campaign for the White House.
“The indictment wouldn’t happen if President Trump didn’t run for office,” Jordan wrote on Twitter.
Bragg, the New York prosecutor overseeing the case, however, dismissed claims of political motives behind the indictment as “baseless”.
