Donald Trump pleads not guilty

Former president arraigned in court; Trump’s supporters gather in Goleta

By CASEY HARPER THE CENTER SQUARE SENIOR REPORTER

(The Center Square) — Former President Donald Trump pleaded not guilty Tuesday to 34 felony counts related to charges he paid hush money to adult film star Stormy Daniels through a lawyer seven years ago and covered it up as a legal expense before being elected president.

Mr. Trump offered his “not guilty” plea during his arraignment before Judge Juan Merchan in Manhattan Criminal Court in New York.

A few hours after Mr. Trump went into the court, approximately 30 people gathered late Tuesday afternoon at Storke Road and Hollister Avenue in Goleta with flags in support of Mr. Trump. Motorists honked in agreement and disagreement with them.

The News-Press will publish a full story on the pro-Trump rally in Thursday’s edition.

After his arraignment, Mr. Trump posted on TruthSocial, “Just lifted off for Palm Beach, Florida. Will be delivering remarks tonight at Mar-a-Lago at 8:15 P.M., EASTERN. The hearing was shocking to many in that they had no ‘surprises,’ and therefore, no case. Virtually every legal pundit has said that there is no case here. There was nothing done illegally!”

On Tuesday evening at Mar-a-

Lago, Mr. Trump walked into a ballroom to the song “Proud to be an American.”

“U.S.A.! U.S.A.! U.S.A!” the crowd chanted.

“God bless you all. I never thought anything like this could happen in America,” Mr. Trump told the audience during a speech that lasted nearly half an hour. He said the case against him was designed to interfere with the 2024 election.

Before the arraignment on Tuesday, Mr. Trump surrendered to New York police after a grand jury voted to indict him last week, marking the first time a current or former president has been charged with a crime. Mr. Trump also is the frontrunner