On Tuesday, former U.S. President Donald Trump, who is also the front-runner for the 2024 Republican nomination, pleaded not guilty to 34 felony counts of falsifying business records. The charges were brought after an investigation into hush money that was paid to a porn star.
Trump, wearing a dark blue suit and red tie, showed little emotion on his face as he entered the courthouse. He sat with his hands folded and responded with “not guilty” when asked how he pleaded, flanked by his lawyers.
As he left Trump Tower, Trump held his fist in the air in a gesture to reporters. Despite calling the charges politically motivated, he remained somber and did not speak as he walked past police and into the courthouse.
The charges against Trump carry a maximum sentence of 136 years in prison under New York law. However, if he is convicted at trial, the actual sentence is likely to be far less. Falsifying business records in New York is normally a misdemeanor punishable by no more than one year in prison. But, when done to advance or conceal another crime, it is elevated to a felony punishable by up to four years in prison.
Trump is the first sitting or former U.S. president to face criminal charges. His indictment by a Manhattan grand jury last week stemmed from a 2016 hush-money payment to porn star Stormy Daniels, though the specific charges had not been disclosed until his arraignment proceeding.
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