By Harry Parker, Anna Gratzer, Chris Sommerfeldt, Ellen Moynihan and Larry McShane, New York Daily News
The protesters, like much of America, were divided Tuesday — quite literally.
Law enforcement officers outside the Manhattan Supreme Court building where ex-President Donald Trump will stand as the first American commander-in-chief to face criminal charges separated his supporters and his critics with metal barricades in advance of his court appearance in New York.
Supporters of former US president Donald Trump argue with opponents outside the Manhattan District Attorney’s office in New York City on April 4, 2023. – Donald Trump will make an unprecedented appearance before a New York judge on April 4, 2023 to answer criminal charges that threaten to throw the 2024 White House race into turmoil. (Photo by ANGELA WEISS/AFP via Getty Images)
“Happy arraignment day,” said anti-Trump protester Julie DeLaurier, 66, of Brooklyn, as the crowd swelled. “Lock him up.”
She was among the demonstrators expressing their support for Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg’s hush money case against Trump over his alleged sexual romp with porn star Stormy Daniels. The Trump backers barely outnumbered the critics, with roughly 300 people combined among the two groups.
A supporter of former US president Donald Trump argues with opponents outside the Manhattan District Attorney's office in New York City on April 4, 2023. Donald Trump will make an unprecedented appearance before a New York judge on April 4, 2023 to answer criminal charges that threaten to throw the 2024 White House race into turmoil. (Photo by LEONARDO MUNOZ/AFP via Getty Images)
Pro and anti trump supporters face off outside of Manhattan Criminal Court in New York City on April 4, 2023. (Photo by ANGELA WEISS/AFP via Getty Images)
Protesters gather outside Trump Tower April 4, 2023 in New York City. Former President Donald Trump will be arraigned today following his indictment by a grand jury on charges related to money he paid in 2016 to adult film actress Stormy Daniels. (Photo by Scott Olson/Getty Images)
A supporter of former US President Donald Trump stands outside the Manhattan District Court in New York on April 4, 2023, ahead of the arrival of former American president Donald Trump. (Photo by ANDREW CABALLERO-REYNOLDS/AFP via Getty Images)
New York City police officers set up barricades outside of Manhattan Criminal Court in New York City on April 4, 2023. (Photo by STEFANI REYNOLDS/AFP via Getty Images)
Rep. Marjorie Taylor Green (R-GA) talks to supporters of former US President Donald Trump outside the District Attorneys office in New York on April 4, 2023. - Donald Trump will make an unprecedented appearance before a New York judge on April 4, 2023 to answer criminal charges that threaten to throw the 2024 White House race into turmoil. (Photo by ANGELA WEISS / AFP) (Photo by ANGELA WEISS/AFP via Getty Images)
Opponents of former US president Donald Trump protest outside the Manhattan District Attorney's office in New York on April 4, 2023. - Donald Trump will make an unprecedented appearance before a New York judge on April 4, 2023 to answer criminal charges that threaten to throw the 2024 White House race into turmoil. (Photo by Ed JONES / AFP) (Photo by ED JONES/AFP via Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - APRIL 04: A protester holds a sign while gathering outside the courthouse where former U.S. President Donald Trump will arrive later in the day for his arraignment on April 4, 2023 in New York City. With his indictment, Trump will become the first former U.S. president in history to be charged with a criminal offense. (Photo by Drew Angerer/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - APRIL 04: Protesters gather outside Trump Tower April 4, 2023 in New York City. Former President Donald Trump will be arraigned today following his indictment by a grand jury on charges related to money he paid in 2016 to adult film actress Stormy Daniels. (Photo by Scott Olson/Getty Images)
U.S. Rep. George Santos (R-NY) walks through the crowd gathered outside the courthouse where former U.S. President Donald Trump will arrive later in the day for his arraignment on April 4, 2023 in New York City. With his indictment, Trump will become the first former U.S. president in history to be charged with a criminal offense. (Photo by Drew Angerer/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - APRIL 04: Protesters gather outside the courthouse where former U.S. President Donald Trump will arrive later in the day for his arraignment on April 4, 2023 in New York City. With his indictment, Trump will become the first former U.S. president in history to be charged with a criminal offense. (Photo by Drew Angerer/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - APRIL 04: A supporter of former U.S. President Donald Trump holds a sign outside of Trump Tower on April 04, 2023 in New York City. Trump will be arraigned during his first court appearance today following an indictment by a grand jury that heard evidence on hush money paid to adult film star Stormy Daniels before the 2016 presidential election. With the indictment, Trump becomes the first former U.S. president in history to be charged with a criminal offense. (Photo by Scott Olson/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NY - APRIL 04: Supporters and opponents of former President Donald Trump gather outside of the Manhattan Criminal Court before his arraignment on April 04, 2023 in New York City. Trump will be arraigned during his first court appearance today following an indictment by a grand jury that heard evidence about money paid to adult film star Stormy Daniels before the 2016 presidential election. With the indictment, Trump becomes the first former U.S. president in history to be charged with a criminal offense. (Photo by Spencer Platt/Getty Images)
A supporter of former US President Donald Trump stands outside the District Attorneys office in New York on April 4, 2023. - Donald Trump will make an unprecedented appearance before a New York judge on April 4, 2023 to answer criminal charges that threaten to throw the 2024 White House race into turmoil. (Photo by ANDREW CABALLERO-REYNOLDS / AFP) (Photo by ANDREW CABALLERO-REYNOLDS/AFP via Getty Images)
Supporters of former President Donald Trump and counter-protestors are separated as they hold rallies at Collect Pond Park near the courthouse ahead of his arraignment hearing on April 04, 2023 in New York City. Former President Trump will be arraigned during his first court appearance following an indictment by a grand jury that heard evidence on hush money paid to adult film star Stormy Daniels before the 2016 presidential election. (Photo by Michael M. Santiago/Getty Images)
“This is election interference,” said Greene, whose arrival spawned a chaotic scene inside Collect Pond Park near the courthouse. “DA Alvin Bragg, he is a tool for the Democrats, he’s trying to hijack the 2024 election. This should never happen in America … They will come after you tomorrow.”
Counter-protesters blew whistles and booed Greene as she was escorted away from a makeshift stage.
Rep. Marjorie Taylor Green (R-GA) talks to supporters of former US President Donald Trump outside the District Attorneys office in New York on April 4, 2023. (Photo by ANGELA WEISS/AFP via Getty Images)
Protester Ricardo Varona, 62, of Manhattan, expressed his full support of the Queens-born Trump and predicted his return to the White House.
“The indictment ain’t happening,” he said. “They have to find something, because they see these rallies. He’s building, he’s trying to make the world better … Trump will be the next president. I’ll vote for him.”
Colton Keeng, 19, traveled to the courthouse from Orlando, Fla., to support his fellow Floridian.
Supporters and opponents of former President Donald Trump gather outside of the Manhattan Criminal Court before his arraignment on April 04, 2023 in New York City. (Photo by Spencer Platt/Getty Images)
“It’s not that I have any special empathy for Trump but the opposition party is sending the message that they can selectively prosecute,” said Keeng. “All of them are crooks, or none of them are crooks.”
DeLaurier, a registered Democrat, offered her support for President Joe Biden before adding the Trump prosecution was long overdue.
“He has never been accountable to the law,” she said. “And that’s the least of it. He tried to overthrow our democracy and he’s finally seeing the inside of a courtroom … The man will finally be held accountable.”
Karen Irwin, 47, came downtown from Hell’s Kitchen waving a large anti-Trump flag.
“They believe they outnumber us and they believe they are the ones who run America,” said Irwin. “This is a celebration. We’re taking a tiny little win here.”
