Donald Trump’s Arraignment and a Joyful Couple’s Marriage

On Tuesday morning, Manhattan Criminal Court saw crowds gathering for the arraignment of former President Donald Trump. However, next door at the City Clerk’s office, Khalia Beckford and Peter Don, who are college sweethearts, were getting married and were not letting the news cycle affect their special day. Despite hearing about the commotion next door at work, Beckford said, “it’s dope. It’s a moment, and it’s not going to ruin my big day. The cameras [are] for me. Everyone came for me.”

Don proposed to Beckford at home on a Friday, and she said, “It was nice. I was coming home, I didn’t know what was happening, and he decorated it well.” Wearing a white lace dress that she bought from Macy’s the night before, Beckford, who hails from Jamaica, was first in line outside the clerk’s office waiting for their 8:30 a.m. appointment.

Meanwhile, Donald Trump voluntarily surrendered to authorities and was formally booked and fingerprinted. His hearing was scheduled to begin at around 2:15 p.m. Eastern time. On Monday, news networks broadcasted live images of his motorcade driving to Palm Beach International Airport as crowds of supporters lined streets and waved flags. With similar scenes expected on Tuesday, much of downtown Manhattan was barricaded, and many streets were blocked off. New York City Mayor Eric Adams issued a warning to “rabble-rousers,” saying the city is “not a playground for your misplaced anger.”

Despite the chaos, Beckford remained focused on her wedding day and said, “I’m not thinking about anything. I’m just thinking about being married and just being happy. This is our big day.”