The former president has been charged with 34 felonies for his role in falsifying business records in order to conceal an illegal conspiracy to undermine an election. He pleaded not guilty.
It's not clear whether the former president will have a mug shot taken when he appears in a Manhattan court on Tuesday. And even if he does, a state mug shot law may prevent the public from seeing it.
Other democracies, from Europe to South America to the Middle East, have prosecuted their current or former leaders. Why did the U.S. wait so long to take that step? A political scientist weighs in.