US

Donald Trump has claimed he has raised more than $4m in the 24 hours after the news of his indictment. 

The former president listed the figure in a press release, in which he repeated his claim that he is the victim of a political witch-hunt.

Lawyers for Trump have told Sky News that he is “ready to fight”, as preparations are made for his unprecedented court appearance next Tuesday.

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3:25

Donald Trump not to be handcuffed

Alina Habba, an attorney employed by Trump, said: “He’s doing well. He’s resilient and strong and, of course, not happy with the news of the indictment. But ready to fight, I would say.

“We’re seeing selective prosecution. We’re seeing a person who’s been persecuted endlessly.”

“There won’t be a conviction, so I don’t even need to address it. President Trump will absolutely continue his campaign for presidency.”

Trump’s court appearance will take place on the 15th floor of the courthouse in lower Manhattan

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He’ll be arraigned before a judge in the same courtroom that saw the conviction of film executive Harvey Weinstein on rape and sexual assault charges in February 2020.

The full details of the indictment remain under seal, but it is understood Trump faces around 30 charges of document-related fraud.

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2:07

Trump indictment: What do voters think?

The former president won’t be in handcuffs, following negotiations between his lawyers and the district attorney’s office.

It’s a break with normal procedure – Trump is the first former president ever to face criminal charges and, in these unprecedented circumstances, there is a choreography being pulled together ‘on the hoof’ by sets of lawyers who have no drawings to work from.

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The court appearance is due to take place on Tuesday afternoon. Trump will travel to New York on Monday and fly onto Manhattan by helicopter. He’ll stay at his apartment in the Trump Tower on 5th Avenue, where security has been enhanced in recent days.

There will also be tight security at the courthouse around Trump’s appearance, where he will be escorted by secret service agents, charged with the ongoing protection of a former president.

From Thursday, all 35,000 New York Police Department officers were told to wear their uniform “as a precautionary measure” in the wake of the indictment announcement.

It follows Trump’s call for protest at his arrest, although there has been little to no sign of demonstrations of any great numbers, let alone unrest.

On Tuesday, it is possible the judge could set travel restrictions, or other conditions on Trump, pending a further hearing. In these circumstances, a source close to the secret service says they are “prepared for any option that the judge says”.