"Tuesday morning I will, believe it or not, be in court," Donald Trump said Sunday, April 2 on his Truth Social network. The former American head of state thus put an end to the suspense by meaning that he would honor the summons of the New York criminal justice on Tuesday, April 4. The latter charged him in connection with a case where he is suspected of having bought the silence of a porn star. What should Trump expect during his court hearing? Here's what we know.
The former president is due to appear in a Manhattan court on Tuesday, April 4 at 2 p.m. (6 p.m. GMT) to be formally served the next day with the charges against him. The latter have not yet been made public but are said to be 30 in number. They are highly anticipated because they will determine the penalties incurred by Donald Trump if he were found guilty.
This summons, an unprecedented ritual for a former head of state, should see Donald Trump decline his name, age, profession, submit to a fingerprinting and be photographed, as all warned.
In the turmoil surrounding the case, the way his appearance will unfold is on everyone's lips in political and media circles. Will there be a "perp walk", this march of the defendant surrounded by police in a public space, during which he is machine-gunned by photographers and cameras?
In the meantime, the former president is preparing for "battle," according to Joe Tacopina, one of Trump's attorneys. "Because really, (Tuesday) is the day, in my opinion, that the rule of law in the United States died." According to his lawyer Joe Tacopina, he will not be handcuffed but may have to walk through the halls of the Manhattan courthouse, in the presence of media.
Before the judge, "the president will plead not guilty" because "there is no criminal offence", according to his defense. Donald Trump should then be released, possibly under conditions, pending the organization of his trial.
