New Yorkers on Donald Trump’s arraignment in the city
New York City, United States – As New York City braced for the arraignment of former US President Donald Trump on Tuesday, the eyes of the world were on Manhattan.
Hundreds of spectators, police officers, protesters, tourists, reporters and rush hour New Yorkers crowded outside Trump Tower on Fifth Avenue in anticipation of catching a glimpse of the real estate billionaire as he arrived at his penthouse apartment Monday after a flight to LaGuardia Airport from his home in Florida.
It was an equally frenzied scene at the epicenter of the action, the lower Manhattan courthouse where Trump will appear before a judge on Tuesday as the first former US president to face criminal charges.
There were no signs of violent activity or any major visible confrontations between police and protesters ahead of Trump’s unprecedented court appearance, but the specter of the January 6, 2021 Capitol riot, which Trump is widely accused of having sparked, was at the forefront of the mind of many New Yorkers. New York City’s 35,000-strong police force — which coordinates security efforts in conjunction with the courthouse police, FBI and Secret Service — has been ordered to be uniformed and ready for deployment.
Al Jazeera spoke to New Yorkers at both locations about what they think of Trump’s return to his hometown, the spectacle of the former president’s impending impeachment, and how people feel about the heightened security presence in the city.
Adonis Porch, 36, professional line sitter, Queens
“I’m not a Trump supporter, I’ve never been a Trump supporter, but I feel like what needs to be done needs to be done, and I’d rather stick with it — while making a few bucks. Today I am queuing in front of a news channel from 4pm to 7am so they can enter the courtroom for the proceedings. So I am a professional line sitter. Same Old Line Dudes – we’ve been around for 10 years and I’m with the company that’s turning 10 in September. [I’m wearing] thermals and double socks and double underwear. I’ve been here since about 3:49 PM. It is now 4:28 AM. I waited in line for a week and a half. Frankly, I’m a little nervous. …[January 6] comes to mind, but you know what? Walk by faith, not by sight. I’m very concerned, but security from the looks of it, they’ve got it all under control. Plus, we’re New Yorkers – nobody’s going to mess with us here.
Peggy Sue, 41, nonprofit worker, Manhattan
“I love and hate Trump. He is flawed like any other human being. I was a Democrat for many years and in 2018 I left the Democratic Party because I saw that the media narrative – I always believed TV was bad because it is television – tells me a vision. I’m glad he’s here, and I hope he’s fighting. He really has the money to fight. I want him to live up to his name. I believe they are trying to make it a January 6th. It’s not going to happen. If it happens, it will be bad actors. I’m a New Yorker, so I’m not afraid. I’m afraid to take my mask off in public now because I don’t want people to know my address. I had to move and stuff because people found out I liked Trump. Not all trans people hate Trump. Trump 2024! I think he won the election because of this. He doesn’t even have to campaign.”
Sarah Kirchhhoff, 21, and Hannah Stauber, 20, visiting student tourists from Munich, Germany
Kirchhoff: “It’s weird. It’s like you’re part of the history being written. It’s just overwhelming. It might be a bias, but I think coming here there’s always the possibility of violence. That’s the picture we get in Europe and Germany. For myself, I’m not really worried, but for the political climate and the general situation in America, it’s disturbing to see that that’s even possible.”
Stauber: “We were not planning to walk here. We were here by accident. We were just in Chinatown, and we saw all these cameras, and we thought, ‘Huh, what’s going on there?’ Really curious, but it’s very, very exciting to be here. At the moment I don’t feel very unsafe.”
Philip Jobe, 55, retired, former Marine, Manhattan
“I came here, I fed my homeless people there in Columbus Park, and I came here today to let them know that there is no man, no woman on this earth above the law. Trump is here now. I mean, I think it’s political. Our DA [district attorney], it was not his decision. I’ll be here tomorrow morning. I give two flying f***s about Donald Trump.
Maxwell Lau, 62, entrepreneur, Manhattan
![Maxwell Lau, a 62-year-old entrepreneur from Chinatown, cheered to see the swarms of tourists, police officers and reporters gathered outside the courthouse hours before Trump's trial. [Dorian Geiger/Al Jazeera]](https://nybreaking.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/1680606742_121_New-Yorkers-on-Donald-Trumps-arraignment-in-the-city.jpg "New Yorkers on Donald Trump’s arraignment in the city 4")
“It’s going to be interesting. It’s fun. It’s exciting to see so many people at this event. I think everyone wants to see what’s going to happen with Trump, see if he can really survive all these attacks or finally face his final destination can see I really have no idea [what’s going to happen]. I think [security] must be under control. It’s not like last time [January 6]. This time they were prepared and I think people are smarter not to cause more trouble. It’s festive. People are happy, nothing serious, nothing sad. People enjoy having fun. It’s spring – good drama.”
Bob Fertik, 65, blogger and activist
“If [Trump] was a regular criminal, they would have locked him up and sent him to Rikers [jail]. They give him special treatment. I feel very safe [due to the police presence]. That’s why I came. I wanted to see all those creepy protesters. I’m glad Donald will be safe. I wouldn’t want a New Yorker to hurt him.”