Donald Trump turned himself into a New York court Tuesday, marking the first time in U.S. history that a former president has been arrested and faced with criminal charges.

The embattled businessman and Republican frontrunner for the 2024 presidential election entered the courthouse just before 1:30 p.m., EST, surrounded by Secret Service agents. Trump remained there for roughly two hours.

He flew back on his "Trump"-emblazoned plane to Florida, arriving at Palm Beach International Airport at approximately 6:43 EST.

See Also: 'Welcome To The Club' - Trump Indictment Unprecedented In U.S. But Abroad? Not At All

The charges (34 felony counts) stem from an investigation into whether Trump's hush money payments to an adult film star weeks before the 2016 election count as falsifying business records and a violation of campaign finance law. 

Trump's former attorney, Michael Cohen, previously testified before a grand jury to making six-figure payments to adult film star Stormy Daniels (real name Stephanie Clifford) and former Playboy model Karen McDougal. Both women claimed to have had sexual liaisons with the married Trump years prior to his political career.

Trump’s indictment, announced on March 30, had remained sealed until today. He pleads not guilty and denies the allegations as well as any wrongdoing involving payments.

See Also: Trump Reportedly Interfered In Mar-A-Lago Probe, Suggests Justice Department And FBI Evidence

Trump's legal counsel includes Todd Blanche, a former partner at Cadwalader Wickersham & Taft, as well as Joseph Tacopina, who in the past has represented famous clients such as retired New York Yankee Alex Rodriguez.

Judge Juan Manuel Merchan will preside over the trial.

In the days leading up to the arrest, New York City has dealt with bomb and death threats.

Police officers lined Lower Manhattan streets around Manhattan Supreme Court with barricades and dispatched bomb-sniffing dogs. There were estimated to be some 300 pro-Trump protestors on the scene.

What's Next: While Congressional Republicans have derided the matter as purely politically motivated, the former president has a litany of legal issues to contend with separate from Manhattan, D.A. Alvin Bragg's investigation, including:

Whether that axiom holds true in this saga remains to be seen.

See Bragg's press conference below:

Next: Trump Hush Money Case Not 'The End Game,' Attorney Says

Image created via MidJourney using artificial intelligence and Pixabay.