Trump indictment updates: Trump speaks out on charges from Mar-a-Lago

Donald Trump is the first former U.S. president to be indicted.

ByAaron Katersky, Emily Shapiro, Morgan Winsor, and Meredith Deliso
Last Updated: April 5, 2023, 3:36 PM EDT

Former President Donald Trump has pleaded not guilty to 34 felony counts of falsifying business records, after being indicted by a Manhattan grand jury last week.

He is the first former U.S. president to be indicted.

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Latest headlines:

Here's how the news developed. All times Eastern.
Apr 03, 2023, 1:18 PM EDT

Trump expands legal team with top white-collar defense attorney

Former President Donald Trump is expanding his legal team, hiring a former federal prosecutor and white-collar defense attorney to lead his defense ahead of Tuesday's arraignment, sources said.

Todd Blanche, a former assistant U.S. attorney in the Manhattan U.S. attorney's office, recently resigned from his law firm to take on this new role, according to sources. Blanche has represented high-profile clients like Paul Manafort, Trump's former campaign chairman, and Igor Fruman, an ex-associate to Rudy Giuliani.

Igor Fruman, center, leaves Federal court in Manhattan with his attorney Todd Blanche, left, Sept. 10, 2021.
Mary Altaffer/AP, FILE

Blanche is expected to travel with Trump from Trump Tower in Midtown Manhattan to the courthouse in lower Manhattan on Tuesday, the sources said. Blanche didn't immediately respond to a request for comment.

A man walks past the flag placed near Trump Tower in New York City, April 3, 2023.
David Dee Delgado/Reuters

-ABC News' John Santucci and Katherine Faulders

Apr 03, 2023, 1:00 PM EDT

Trump en route to New York

Former President Donald Trump has departed Florida's Palm Beach International Airport bound for New York City.

Former President Donald Trump boards his plane, at the Palm Beach International Airport, in West Palm Beach, Fla., April 3, 2023.
Marco Bello/Reuters

The plane of former US president Donald Trump takes off from Palm Beach International Airport in West Palm Beach, Fla., April 3, 2023.
Chandan Khanna/AFP via Getty Images

Dozens of Trump supporters lined the streets to cheer the former president on as his motorcade headed to the airport.

Some wore shirts saying, "Trump did nothing wrong."

"People want to support [Trump] because, basically, they see him as an underdog at this point, and which he is," Whit Taylor told ABC News as he watched the motorcade. "He’s being harassed and pushed around by people who are just haters. I mean that’s the bottom line -- they just hate people."

Former President Donald Trump gestures in a vehicle as he leaves his Mar-a-Lago resort in Palm Beach, Fla., April 3, 2023.
Marco Bello/Reuters

A motorcade transporting former President Donald Trump leaves his Mar-a-Lago resort after he was indicted by a Manhattan grand jury following a probe into hush money paid to porn star Stormy Daniels, in Palm Beach, Fla., April 3, 2023.
Ricardo Arduengo/Reuters

Eric Trump stands near the plane of former U.S. President Donald Trump in West Palm Beach, Fla., April 3, 2023.
Marco Bello/Reuters

The motorcade of former US president Donald Trump arrives at Palm Beach International Airport in West Palm Beach, Fla., on April 3, 2023.
Chandan Khanna/AFP via Getty Images

Trump is expected to stay in Manhattan Monday night before appearing in court for an arraignment on Tuesday.

New York police officers provide security outside the Manhattan District Attorney's office in New York City on April 3, 2023.
Andrew Caballero-reynolds/AFP via Getty Images

Apr 03, 2023, 12:38 PM EDT

No specific credible threat in NYC, mayor says

As New York City gears up for former President Donald Trump's arraignment on Tuesday, Mayor Eric Adams said "there has been no specific credible threat."

PHOTO: NYPD officer stands at the entrance to the Manhattan Criminal Court after former U.S. President Donald Trump's indictment by a Manhattan grand jury following a probe into hush money paid to porn star Stormy Daniels, in New York City, April 3, 2023.
New York City Police Department officer stands at the entrance to the Manhattan Criminal Court after former U.S. President Donald Trump's indictment by a Manhattan grand jury following a probe into hush money paid to porn star Stormy Daniels, in New York City, April 3, 2023.
Andrew Kelly/Reuters

"All New Yorkers should go on with their regular activities" on Tuesday, Adams said at a news conference Monday, adding that New Yorkers should expect "some disruptions," including traffic and street closures.

New Yorkers may also see an additional police presence, NYPD Commissioner Keechant Sewell said. She encouraged people to use mass transit when possible.

PHOTO: New York police officers stand guard near the Manhattan criminal court, after former President Donald Trump's indictment by a Manhattan grand jury following a probe into hush money paid to porn star Stormy Daniels, in New York City, April 3, 2023.
New York police officers stand guard near the Manhattan criminal court, after former U.S. President Donald Trump's indictment by a Manhattan grand jury following a probe into hush money paid to porn star Stormy Daniels, in New York City, April 3, 2023.
Jeenah Moon/Reuters

Sewell said any protests should be peaceful and orderly.

The mayor warned that violence and vandalism won't be tolerated, and said anyone caught participating in violence will be arrested.

Members of the NYPD Counterterrorism unit patrol outside Trump Tower on Fifth Avenue April 3, 2023 in New York City.
Drew Angerer/Getty Images

Adams called out Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, R-Ga., who said she's planning to come to New York to support Trump, urging her and others to "be on your best behavior."

Apr 03, 2023, 6:32 AM EDT

Poll shows plurality of the public supports Trump indictment

A plurality of Americans think former President Donald Trump should have been charged by a Manhattan grand jury with a history-making indictment.

According to the poll, 45% think Trump should have been charged with a crime in this case, whereas 32% don't think so and 23% say they don't know.

Former President Donald Trump sits in the rear of his limousine as he departs Trump International Golf Club in West Palm Beach, Florida, on April 1, 2023.
Chandan Khanna/AFP via Getty Images

Democrats are, unsurprisingly, rallying behind the grand jury's decision.

Almost nine in 10 Democrats (88%) think Trump should have been charged in the investigation by the Manhattan D.A., which has been probing a $130,000 hush money payment made to adult film actress Stormy Daniels who alleges the two had an affair. Trump has long denied these claims.

-ABC News’ Brittany Shepherd

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