WASHINGTON — Former President Donald Trump has pleaded not guilty to 34 felony counts of falsification of business records, according to an indictment unsealed Tuesday by a New York judge, charges stemming from the alleged cover-up of a hush money payment made in the days before the 2016 election.
Trump, who was arraigned Tuesday afternoon, became the first former U.S. president to face criminal charges when he was indicted last week by the Manhattan grand jury following an investigation into a $130,000 payment made by his former attorney, Michael D. Cohen, to adult film actor Stormy Daniels. The money was allegedly paid to prevent Daniels from publicly saying she had an affair with Trump during his campaign for president.
A somber-looking Trump ignored a handful of shouted questions as he walked past police before entering the courtroom for the arraignment. He sat with his hands folded on the defense table before him for most of the proceeding.
