Former United States, President Donald Trump, Arrested

By: Demi Conteh

A previous president turned himself into the police and was taken into custody for the first time in American history. Tuesday's indictment of Donald Trump tested the endurance of courtroom laws and legal procedures that apply to all Americans - this time, the 45th president of the United States brought the criminal justice system in the United States into drastically uncharted territory.

The Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg accused Trump of 34 felonies in a sealed indictment on Tuesday for allegedly fabricating New York business records using a "catch and kill" tactic to hide negative information and illegal activities before the 2016 presidential election. Trump entered a not-guilty plea to all charges while in front of Judge Juan Merchan. The case's central issue revolves around the $130,000 in hush money payments made to adult film star Stormy Daniels by Trump's then-fixer Michael Cohen. The $30,000 payment to a former Trump Tower doorman "who claimed to have a story about a child Trump had out of wedlock" was also detailed by the prosecution. Additionally, they mentioned a different $150,000 payment made to former Playboy model Karen McDougal to quiet her regarding an alleged affair before the 2016 election. According to the prosecution, the final two payments were made possible by American Media Inc., the company that owns and runs the tabloid National Enquirer.

Image from Variety