This is the first time in the history of the United States that a former president has been indicted. Donald Trump has been charged with 34 felonies by the New York courts. What could happen next?

Joe Biden's predecessor in the White House is the target of 34 charges of falsifying bank accounts, although he pleaded not guilty in court and called the case "an insult" to the country. Trump is also accused of having paid, during the 2016 presidential campaign, for the silence of two women with whom he was allegedly involved.

In a session that lasted around 40 minutes, according to RTP, Trump pleaded not guilty and left the New York court free and without any coercive measures, returning to Florida.

The possible trial of the former Republican president and businessman could begin in January 2024, according to Judge Juan Merchan. The tycoon's defense, meanwhile, will try to have the indictment annulled and is aiming for a trial in the spring of next year.

The Manhattan district attorney's office, responsible for the investigation in this case against Trump, believes that the former president committed part of these crimes to "promote his candidacy" for the 2016 presidential elections.

Alvin Bragg said in a statement that the payments in exchange for silence were made to a Trump Tower doorman who claimed to have information about Trump's extramarital paternity case (he received 30,000 dollars), to a woman who presented herself as an ex-lover (150,000 dollars) and to porn actress Stormy Daniels (130,000 dollars), for an alleged extramarital relationship.

Confronted with payments to cover up three embarrassing cases before the 2016 presidential election, in a total of 34 charges related to different types of "falsification of business records", the former president pleaded not guilty before the Manhattan criminal court.

Trump's next hearing is now expected to take place on December 4 of this year, and could be postponed. One of Donald Trump's lawyers has warned that he will fight the charges against the former president and described the situation as "sad". "The indictment itself is a pattern," said lawyer Todd Blanche outside the Manhattan courthouse. He added that they would "fight it, fight it hard".

The team of lawyers also asked that Trump be excused from attending the hearings in person, due to the extraordinary security procedures.

Despite the charges and the ongoing trial, Donald Trump can still run for the White House in the 2024 Presidential Elections. Republican supporters of the former president are expected to use the charges to target Democrats.