Judge warns Trump to avoid inflaming rhetoric
NEW YORK (AP) -- A New York judge warned former President Donald Trump to refrain from rhetoric that could inflame or cause civil unrest during Trump’s arraignment Tuesday in Manhattan.
Trump was charged with 34 felony counts of falsifying business records. The charges stem from hush-money payments made during the 2016 campaign.
Trump told Judge Juan Merchan that he pleaded not guilty, and the judge advised him of his rights.
Merchan also warned Trump that he could be removed from the courtroom if he is disruptive, but Trump spoke only a few times to respond to questions.
Trump is next due in court in December. Trump’s lawyers asked for him to be excused from attending the hearing in person because of extraordinary security precautions.
The judge said he was not imposing a gag order at this point, but he asked both sides to refrain from comments that could lead to civil unrest.
Trump stayed mostly still with his hands steepled or interlaced and looked ahead during the proceedings, which lasted just over an hour.