Former US President Donald Trump has arrived in New York City to be charged with 34 Class E felony counts in relation to a hush money payment he allegedly made to adult entertainment star Stormy Daniels while running for president in 2016.
Authorities will submit a summary of the charges before Trump is formally arraigned. It is not expected that he will take a mug shot or be put into handcuffs, as authorities do not currently believe Trump is a flight risk.
Class E felonies are the lowest level in New York. Trump is essentially accused of committing one crime to cover up another crime, and experts do not currently believe he will serve jail time.
Evidence in the case will also be clarified once Trump's indictment is unsealed.
The charges against Trump date back to 2016, when he allegedly paid $130,000 to Stormy Daniels to cover up a sexual encounter the two participated in years ago.
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Both Trump and his former lawyer Michael Cohen initially denied that the tryst took place, then denied making payments to Stormy Daniels. Eventually Cohen confessed that he made the payments and Trump paid him back in installments.
Through it all, Trump's wife, Melania Trump, is expected to support him. A source told People of the moment the pair found out about the charges: "Melania and Donald were both shocked when they were told. They weren't expecting it, but Melania will support him. That's what she does. They are a family."
The two continued business as usual after news of the former president's indictment broke and even had dinner with friends the same day. The source added, "Like usual, drama swirls around them and they wade through it. It's part of their lives."
An additional source told the outlet that the way Trump's supporters will rally around him without examining the facts is a boon to the couple. They said, "They think it's a political witch hunt and nothing will change their minds. Even though nobody knows what is in the sealed indictment, their minds are made up."
