This is a special edition of the Global News Podcast from the BBC World Service.

I'm Charlotte Gallagher and three hours GMT on Wednesday 5th of April.

This is an update on the criminal charges brought against the former US President Donald Trump.

Shortly before we recorded this podcast, Mr Trump addressed his supporters at his Mar-a-Lago retreat

in Florida, describing the case as election interference and saying his only crime had been to defend

America from those who would destroy it. Earlier at a hearing in New York, he pleaded not guilty

to all 34 charges brought against him, accusing him of falsifying business records to hide

damaging information during the 2016 presidential election. We'll report from New York, Florida,

and the traditional Republican stronghold of Arizona.

Even by the standards of his four at times to mulch us years in office, it's been an extraordinary day

for Donald Trump and America. He made history by becoming the first serving or former US President

to appear in court charged with criminal offenses. At the hearing in New York, he pleaded not guilty

to the 34 charges filed against him. They relate to three hush money payments ahead of the 2016

election, including one to the porn star Stormy Daniels. Mr Trump laid a flu back to Florida and

addressed supporters at his Mar-a-Lago mansion. The only crime that I have committed is to

fearlessly defend our nation from those who seek to destroy it.

From the beginning to Democrats,

spy'd on my campaign. Remember that? They attacked me with an onslaught of fraudulent investigations,

Russia, Russia, Russia, Ukraine, Ukraine, and Peachment Hoax number one, and Peachment Hoax number two,

the illegal and unconstitutional raid on Mar-a-Lago right here.

Our correspondent Barbara Platt Usher was at Mar-a-Lago to hear Mr. Trump's speech.

He was back to his regular platform with his regular crowd, and I think he seemed heartened by

...