Trump indictment Highlights: Ex-US prez likely to be fingerprinted before arraignment

Donald Trump, who is currently in New York, is likely to be fingerprinted prior to appearing before a judge for the arraignment where he will plead not guilty. 

Former United States president Donald Trump arrived at the Trump Tower in New York on Monday where he will spend the rest of the night before surrendering to court authorities to face criminal charges over a 2016 hush payment to porn star Stormy Daniels. 

Former United States president Donald Trump has landed in New York and will meet with his lawyers ahead of the arraignment on charges he covered up a hush money payment to Stormy Daniels, according to a report by the Guardian. 

The New York City criminal courthouse and the Trump tower have ramped up security ahead of the former president's arrival in NYC. 

Several supporters for former US president Donald Trump cheered as his motorcade arrived at the airport in West Palm Beach on Monday as he is flying to New York City on to face charges stemming from a probe into hush money paid to a porn star before the 2016 election. 

As Trump was departing from Florida, his supporters were seen waiting along the path to show their support.

"Our country needs him," said one supporter, Cindy Falco, while talking to Reuters.

"He's pro-God, pro-family and pro-country," the Trump supporter added.

In New York along the edges of the sidewalks around Trump Tower and the Manhattan Criminal Court building, downtown spectators have lined up.

People, as per the Reuters reports, were heard shouting, "Lock him up," as Trump supporter shouted back, "Lock Bragg up."

As per Trump's lawyer Joe Tacopina, a "perp walk" is unlikely for an ex-president who, due to security concerns, is under US Secret Service protection.

"Hopefully this will be as painless and classy as possible for a situation like this," he said.

Here "perp" stands for perpetrator; in a perp walk as per AFP, a defendant is escorted in handcuffs past media cameras.

As per Reuters, Tuesday's arraignment marks Donald Trump's first appearance in court and in front of a judge in the case.

The police reportedly expect demonstrations at the Trump tower and the Manhattan Criminal Court building. The forces have vowed to be prepared.

"Officers have been placed on alert and the department remains ready to respond as needed and will ensure everyone is able to peacefully exercise their rights," the New York Police Department said in a statement.

New York police, over the weekend, started erecting barricades along the edge of the sidewalks around Trump Tower and also the Manhattan Criminal Court building downtown where the businessman will surrender.

NBC News citing official sources reported that the force has ordered its 36,000 officers to don their uniforms and be ready for deployment.

In a social media post late on Sunday, Donald Trump, as per Reuters, said he planned to leave his Mar-a-Lago estate in Palm Beach, Florida at noon today (Monday, April 4th) for the Trump Tower in Manhattan before heading to the courthouse on Tuesday morning (Tuesday, April 5th).

Citing an anonymous court official, the report further states that the arraignment was planned for 2:15 pm (1815 GMT) on Tuesday.

After it, Trump then will return to Florida and deliver remarks at Mar-a-Lago at 8:15 pm on Tuesday (0015 GMT on Wednesday), his office said.

The specific charges included in the grand jury indictment are yet to be disclosed.

As per Reuters, Trump is due to be arraigned, fingerprinted and photographed at the downtown Manhattan courthouse on Tuesday. 

His lawyers, as per US media reports, have said that the former US president will enter a 'not-guilty' plea.

Donald Trump is the first former or sitting US president to face criminal charges. He is being indicted in a hush money case, as per which he allegedly paid porn star Stormy Daniels $130,000 to keep quiet about a sexual encounter the two had around a decade ago.

The money was reportedly paid just before the 2016 US presidential elections, which elevated him to the United States' highest office.

Ahead of his scheduled arraignment related to hush money paid to porn star Stormy Daniels, former US President Donald Trump on Monday is set to fly from Florida to New York City.

In Manhattan, as the city awaits his arrival, security has tightened.