Donald Trump is now ensconced in his New York City skyscraper where he'll spend his last night free of formal charges.
On Tuesday local time (Wednesday AEST), he will make the journey downtown to the city's arraignment court and become the first president to face criminal charges in the history of the United States.
He arrived from Florida via private jet to a modest crowd of supporters and a massive pack of the world's press.
Tourists were trying to squeeze past and New Yorkers were trying to go about their business, but for the small group of Trump loyalists, this was a moment to stop.
A Long Island man who calls himself Freedom Jeffrey set up his live stream and watched as his followers from the Trump-loving corners of the internet logged on to watch live.
"I want to support my president. I doubt anything will come of this, it's just another spectacle, something to enrage the left [so they think] they're winning," he said.
"I think Trump is going to [earn] a lot of donations from this.
"He's a master of promotion. He does his own press.
"How many mug shots of celebrities and music people are out there? This is just going to just be another one for history."
Jeffrey lives in New York and said this event was a reprieve for him — a chance to be around like-minded people.
Pam travelled from Nashville and said that while she feels empowered standing in a sea of MAGA hats, walking through New York's streets wearing one is a new experience.
"I would not wear my MAGA hat out walking two or three blocks away from here if it wasn't for this event," she said.
"But that's the reason I'm here, I want President Trump to see ... that there are people who feel the same way I do, who support him."
In a city as large and as liberal as NYC, Marni Halasa cuts a lonely figure dressed as a money-covered devil holding a sign suggesting Donald Trump "knows where to go".
The activist and New Yorker hopes to have conversations today that bridge the political divide.
"Rich men, politically connected men rarely go to jail," she said.
"This costume is a devil costume — kind of tongue in cheek — if Trump doesn't do good things in society he's going to go to hell and be reincarnated as a cockroach.
"This is really to appeal to his moral side because I like to think all human beings have a moral side, even though with him I'm not really sure."
After touching down at LaGuardia Airport in Queens, Mr Trump piled into an SUV for the drive across the East River to Fifth Avenue.
At Trump Tower, he got out, waved to his crowds of supporters, and headed inside.
Mr Trump announced on social media that he would head to the court house tomorrow morning. His arraignment is expected to begin in the afternoon.
Charges remain sealed until arraignment
The former president and his legal team are yet to learn of the extent of the charges, which remain sealed despite a bid by several major media organisations to unseal the indictment before Tuesday.
Acting New York Supreme Court Judge Juan Merchan, who will oversee proceedings, had been considering a request from several US media outlets to broadcast the arraignment tomorrow.
Mr Trump's legal team had opposed this request, arguing it would "exacerbate an already almost circus-like atmosphere around this case" and "detract from both the dignity and decorum of the proceedings and courtroom".
Late on Monday local time, Judge Merchan handed down his decision allowing five photographers into the jury box before the arraignment begins.
There will be no live footage or photographs allowed once proceedings are underway, and reporters will not be allowed to bring electronics into the court room.
The charges are expected to be made public immediately after the arraignment, when District Attorney Alvin Bragg addresses the media.
Once he has been arraigned, Mr Trump is expected to fly straight back to Florida where he'll hold a press conference back inside the grounds of Mar-a-Lago.
Conservative hardliner and Trump supporter Marjorie Taylor Greene will be in New York and plans to lead a rally outside court as the former president is read his rights.
New York City Police and City Hall have been fortifying the city against any unrest, with barricades set up and increased police presence on the streets.
In a press conference on Monday, New York City Mayor Eric Adams told Taylor Greene to be on her best behaviour.
"While there may be some rabble rousers, thinking about coming to our city tomorrow a message is clear and simple ... control yourselves," he said.
"New York City is our home, not a playground for your misplaced anger.
"And although we have no specific threats, people like Marjorie Taylor Green — who is known to spread misinformation and hate speech — has stated she's coming to town. While you're in town be on your best behaviour."
President Joe Biden, who is in Minnesota spruiking his administration's economic policies, was asked if he thought there would be unrest in New York upon Mr Trump's arrival.
"No, I have faith in the New York Police Department," he replied.
ABC/wires
