Trump indictment

The grand jury indictment makes Trump the first former U.S. president charged with a crime.

The Justice Department has a longtime policy that it is likely unconstitutional to prosecute a sitting president in federal court. Unlike those inquiries, the Manhattan case concerns conduct by Trump that occurred before he became president and is unrelated to much-publicized efforts to overturn a presidential election. railed about the investigation on social media and urged supporters to protest on his behalf, prompting tighter security around the Manhattan criminal courthouse. [READ MORE: New York’s probe of Trump’s involvement in hush-money case, explained](https://www.pbs.org/newshour/politics/new-yorks-probe-of-trumps-involvement-in-hush-money-case-explained) The former president was at Mar-a-Lago, his Florida estate, on Thursday and had filmed an interview with a conservative commentator earlier in the day. Cohen pleaded guilty to those charges and unrelated tax evasion counts and served time in federal prison. Bragg’s predecessor as district attorney, Cyrus Vance Jr., then took up the investigation in 2019. For security reasons, his booking is expected to be carefully choreographed to avoid crowds inside or outside the courthouse. [well-chronicled allegations](https://www.pbs.org/newshour/show/new-york-grand-jury-indicts-trump-in-stormy-daniels-hush-money-case-lawyer-says) from a period in 2016 when Trump’s celebrity past collided with his political ambitions. Arriving at a time of deep political divisions, the charges are likely to reinforce rather than reshape dueling perspectives of those who see accountability as long overdue and those who, like Trump, feel the Republican is being targeted for political purposes by a Democratic prosecutor. A person familiar with the matter, who was not authorized to discuss sealed proceedings, said the surrender was expected to happen next week. In a statement confirming the charges, defense lawyers Susan Necheles and Joseph Tacopina said Trump “did not commit any crime.

Donald Trump was indicted by a New York grand jury, making him the first former U.S. president to face charges.

"This is not an indictment of a crime—there was no crime—instead, this news is the indictment of a failed nation," Budowich said in a statement. Today's indictment is not the end of this chapter; but rather, just the beginning," Cohen said in a statement. Daniels, a former adult film actress, sits close to the heart of the Manhattan district attorney's hush money case. Meanwhile, a federal special counsel, Jack Smith, is investigating Trump over his removal of classified documents from the White House as well as his ties to the bloody Jan. "President Trump is promising to peacefully end the war in Ukraine, dismantle the deep state, and save our country by putting America first. Fueled by Trump's false claims of election fraud, hundreds of his supporters stormed the building that day in a bid to prevent lawmakers from confirming Joe Biden's victory. "Let's not forget that it was Donald Trump who took out full-page ads calling for these five Black and Brown young men to get the death penalty." In a Wednesday update on Truth Social, Trump expressed praise for the grand jury assessing the case. In an all-caps update, he called the charge "an attack on our country the likes of which has never been seen before." "It is un-American for the ruling party to use police power to arrest its political rivals." The former president is expected to turn himself in early next week, his attorney Joe Tacopina told NBC News. Trump is the top contender for the Republican presidential nomination.

A New York grand jury voted to indict former President Donald Trump. The move complicates his efforts to run for president again in 2024.

[A federal special counsel, Jack Smith, ](https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2023/01/12/biden-documents-merrick-garland-special-counsel/11031433002/)is investigating Trump’s role in [interfering with the peaceful transfer of power to President Joe Biden](https://www.usatoday.com/in-depth/graphics/2022/07/01/trump-jan-6-breakdown/9959018002/) and the unauthorized retention of classified documents at his Florida estate. “For that, the political elites and powerbrokers have weaponized government to try and stop him.”] [Michael Cohen: 'No one is above the law' – including a former president ] [Michael Cohen, Trump's lawyer and a key witness in the grand jury investigation, says Trump's indictment is only the beginning of a new chapter in the former president's legal saga.] "Now that the charges have been filed, it is better for the case to let the indictment speak for itself," Cohen said in a written statement. [Other legal jeopardy for Trump] [The New York criminal case is the first to charge him criminally, but he faces legal jeopardy in several jurisdictions.] [Two of his companies, Trump Corp. Cohen began by noting that Trump is the first president in history to be indicted. ] [“The weaponization of the legal system to advance a political agenda turns the rule of law on its head,” DeSantis said in a statement. “Yet, now he is stretching the law to target a political opponent.”] [DeSantis also repeated that he would not help New York with any extradition request.] [“Florida will not assist in an extradition request given the questionable circumstances,” DeSantis said. “To do otherwise, because holding a president accountable is controversial or provocative, will not bring order, but breed disorder, and disrespect of the law.” Adam Schiff, D-Calif, who led the first impeachment against Trump over his dealings with Ukraine, called the indictment a “sobering and unprecedented development.” He said since Cohen went to prison for the hush money payment, it was just that Trump be charged for directing the payment. Trump is a victim of a corrupt and distorted version of the American justice system and history. The grand jury’s vote to formally accuse someone of a crime is called an “indictment.” A grand jury also can vote to dismiss charges or accuse the person of a lesser offense. But once he is arrested and taken into custody, the former president will be read his rights, known as a Miranda warning, about how he has the right to remain silent, the right to an attorney and that what he says can be used against him in a court of law.] [Trump will then be processed just like any other defendant and given a booking number, former prosecutors and law enforcement officials told USA TODAY.

A U.S. president has never been indicted for criminal conduct before.

[Federal prosecutors](https://www.axios.com/2021/05/07/fec-drop-trump-hush-money-case)did not pursue charges in the case, but Bragg's office chose to do so — a controversial decision that made Bragg the focus of Republican accusations that the prosecution was politically partisan. [running for president in 2024](https://www.axios.com/2023/03/14/republicans-trump-desantis-2024-nomination) and facing multiple criminal probes, is the first president in U.S. The indictment over a payment during his first run for president is sure to [ripple through his latest campaign](https://www.axios.com/2023/03/15/trump-indictment-charges-manhattan-2024). No one is above the law." - Taylor Budowich, who leads Make America Great Again Inc., echoed Trump's rhetoric in his own statement, which maintained that "there was no crime" at the heart of the case. [running point on an investigation](https://www.axios.com/2023/03/23/house-gop-widens-manhattan-da-probe-with-outreach-to-ex-prosecutors)into [Bragg](https://www.axios.com/2023/03/21/trump-case-alvin-bragg-manhattan-district-attorney), had a [one-word response](https://twitter.com/Jim_Jordan/status/1641557944104808449?s=20): "Outrageous." [ came to his defense](https://www.axios.com/2023/03/30/congress-enters-dangerous-territory-trump-indicted) after the news broke. "Now let truth and justice prevail. - "I believe this Witch-Hunt will backfire massively on Joe Biden," he added. He has been a witness against the former president. State of play: "This evening we contacted Mr. [invited Trump to testify](https://www.axios.com/2023/03/10/trump-invited-new-york-grand-jury-hush-money-probe)before a grand jury.

Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg's office confirmed the indictment in a statement on Thursday and said it had reached out to Trump's attorney to arrange ...

After news of the indictment broke on Thursday evening, NYPD officers were out in full force at the Manhattan criminal courthouse, where a few scattered protesters gathered. The indictment comes as Trump faces legal hurdles in other potential criminal cases. Cohen met repeatedly with prosecutors and testified before the grand jury in this case for five hours over two days in March. The majority of that report was ordered sealed, at least until charging decisions are made. Trump has denied having a sexual encounter with Daniels, and vehemently denied wrongdoing in this case. Bragg's office said more guidance would be provided "when the arraignment date is selected."

A Manhattan grand jury has indicted former President Donald Trump, multiple sources close to Trump confirmed to NPR. The charges, which are expected to be ...

"And he says to me something to the effect of, 'Don't worry, Michael. I believe that your decision not to prosecute Donald Trump now, and on the existing record, is misguided and completely contrary to the public interest." So the documentation of the reimbursement involved the creation of false business records, which is a crime under New York law." And it takes a while for that to get through the White House system.' Checks signed by Trump were presented at trial, but the former president was never charged. in 2018 and quickly grew to become a broad probe of Trump business practices. Cohen said he even discussed the checks with Trump inside the White House. "This is Political Persecution and Election Interference at the highest level in history," he wrote in the statement. The grand jury's indictment is expected to be unsealed in the coming days. Some came from the Trump trust, but others were Trump's attorney to coordinate his surrender to the Manhattan D.A.'s Office for arraignment on a Supreme Court indictment, which remains under seal. Cohen got the money from a home equity line of credit.

Trump's indictment marks an unprecedented development in the country's history -- the first time a former president has ever faced criminal charges.

In the meantime, the tranquility to which this nation has been restored by the events of recent weeks could be irreparably lost by the prospects of bringing to trial a former President of the United States." "In the photo gallery that will be in that book, you are going to see as one of the larger photographs the mugshot of Trump, based on these proceedings. "Now Trump has been indicted with other possible indictments to come," Updegrove said. "I think most people in Trump's base are of the mind that New York is a liberal bastion, and it's those people first who would be out to get Donald Trump. "Those are more serious as they relate to matters of the state," Updegrove said. I don't see this as the major thing," Updegrove said. [he withheld aid to Ukraine to force](https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/bolton-manuscript-trump-personally-tied-ukraine-aid-biden/story?id=68552833) the launch of a probe into Biden and once over Trump's role [in the Jan. I think people were willing, particularly in his base, were willing to overlook them because he was willing to uphold the policies that they advocated. 6, 2021, insurrection](https://abcnews.go.com/US/visual-timeline-attack-capitol-hill-unfolded/story?id=75112066). The only other point of comparison is when then-Vice President Aaron Burr killed Alexander Hamilton in a duel in 1804 and, after leaving office, was arrested, tried and found innocent around charges of staging an insurrection, Updegrove said. While the charge or charges against him remain unclear, he had been under investigation by Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg [over money paid to adult film actress Stormy Daniels](https://abcnews.go.com/US/live-updates/trump-charges/?id=97888515) during Trump's 2016 presidential bid to stop Daniels from going public about what she claimed was an affair with Trump. "It was Republicans, as well as Democrats, who saw the misdeeds of Watergate as being an indication that Richard Nixon was not fit for office," he said.

The unprecedented indictment of former President Donald Trump plunges the legal system into murky waters. The Manhattan grand jury's decision to charge ...

A criminal tax case the Manhattan district attorney’s office filed against the Trump Organization in the same court in 2021 took about 15 months to get to trial. Trump also could seek to move the trial to a different courthouse elsewhere in New York state. It will, by necessity, take many months to commence a trial of a former president of the United States. Trump’s lawyers could try to move the case to federal court, arguing that at least some of the payments to Cohen took place while Trump was president and therefore a state court should have no authority to resolve the matter. A grand jury in Fulton County, Ga., is examining his bid to overturn the election results in that state, and at the federal level, special counsel Jack Smith is leading twin probes into Trump’s role in the Jan. And he could try to have the indictment dismissed or reduced. Another potential difficulty: Prosecutors may have to prove that Trump knew the arrangement was illegal. In this case, that second crime appears to be the use of the funds to advance Trump’s presidential campaign allegedly in violation of campaign finance laws. The case also dates to 2016 and 2017, so it is more than five years old. There’s no reason to think the indictment in Manhattan will influence the trajectory of several other probes that present an acute risk of more criminal charges for Trump. But based on publicly available information, legal experts have identified several features of the case that may present stumbling blocks as prosecutors seek a guilty verdict. Cohen said that Trump and his company concealed the purpose of the payments by falsely labeling them as legal expenses.

Trump became the first former U.S. president to face criminal charges over alleged hush money payments made to an adult film star.

[Dan Patrick](https://www.texastribune.org/directory/dan-patrick/), Attorney General [Ken Paxton](https://www.texastribune.org/directory/ken-paxton/) and U.S. [Donate to join or renew today.](https://support.texastribune.org/donate) [Ted Cruz](https://www.texastribune.org/directory/ted-cruz/). [mission](/about): creating a more engaged and informed Texas with every story we cover, every event we convene and every newsletter we send. [Ronny Jackson](https://www.texastribune.org/directory/ronny-jackson/) of Amarillo among others. [Yes, I'll donate today](https://support.texastribune.org/donate?installmentPeriod=yearly&amount=150&campaignId=701460000007V3QAAU#join-today) [tweeted](https://twitter.com/tedcruz/status/1641561317076082691?s=20) U.S. The Texas Tribune reached out to every member of Trump’s Texas leadership team for comment. “The radical left has consistently weaponized our courts to silence conservative voices,” the Texas attorney general wrote. [first official 2024 campaign rally](https://www.texastribune.org/2023/03/25/donald-trump-waco-rally-retribution-justice/) in Waco last Saturday. Trump is the first former U.S. “This is Political Persecution and Election Interference at the highest level in history.

In the first criminal case against a former president, Donald Trump has been indicted on charges involving payments made during his 2016 campaign to quash ...

He said Democrats will be watching to see if the “witch hunt out of Manhattan weakened our movement.” Cohen “made the brave decision to speak truth to power and accept the consequences,” his lawyer Lanny J. I am proud to have been his lawyer and his friend through this long journey on the path to justice and accountability.” Adam Schiff](https://www.pbs.org/newshour/politics/watch-rep-adam-schiff-calls-trumps-election-lie-a-dangerous-cancer), the California Democrat, said in a tweet: “The indictment of a former president is unprecedented. “Former President Trump will have the same rights as any criminal defendant and the justice system will presume him innocent until proven guilty,” he said. “Today’s indictment is not the end of this chapter but rather just the beginning. Richard Blumenthal of Connecticut, a former federal prosecutor, said the justice system has an obligation to pursue the facts and law wherever they lead. Guidance will be provided when the arraignment date is selected,” the statement said. Schiff said: “A nation of laws must hold the rich and powerful accountable, even when they hold high office. It’s so crazed,” Donald Trump Jr., said in a live-stream video shortly after the news broke. Jim Jordan, the conservative chairman of the House Judiciary Committee, sent a one-word reaction: “Outrageous.” Kathy Clark, a 75-year-old retired police officer from suburban Palm Beach County, stood along the road holding a “Trump Won” banner.

For more than two centuries, American presidents were effectively shielded from indictment. But the case against former President Donald J. Trump breaks ...

“It seems more than a little unfair to make him a scapegoat for the wrongdoing of subsequent presidents,” Mr. Ford](https://www.nytimes.com/2006/12/27/washington/27webford.html), a month after resigning, sparing him any prosecution in the Watergate scandal. And the existence of which prevented him from doing his job or the American people from moving on to confront all the problems that Nixon left behind him.” “Especially if this indictment is followed by even a justified indictment from the special counsel, we will see recriminations and retributions in the medium term, all to the detriment of our political national health,” he said. [branded the Manhattan case political](https://www.nytimes.com/2023/03/20/us/politics/house-republicans-trump-indictment.html) even before any indictment without waiting to review the actual evidence. Bush and Vice President Dick Cheney](https://www.nbcnews.com/id/wbna23472875) of “crimes against the Constitution” and instructing their town attorneys to draft indictments. “The framers would have been horrified at the possibility of a president ever being above the law while in office or after leaving it,” Mr. “This presents the opportunity for potentially thousands of state and local prosecutors to investigate and charge a president without the impediment imposed by D.O.J.’s policy against indicting sitting presidents,” said Stanley M. that one wards against the problem of selective prosecution — then it is imperative that we hold politicians to account regardless of what position they hold or held,” said Andrew Weissmann, a deputy to It is worth pausing to repeat that: An American president has been indicted for a crime for the first time in history. Leave it to the only president ever impeached in Congress twice to face so many prosecutions that lawyers need a scorecard just to keep track. “Whether the indictment is warranted or not, it crosses a huge line in American politics and American legal history,” said Jack L.

Key House Republican leaders lined up to defend former President Donald Trump on Thursday following the news that Trump has been indicted by a Manhattan ...

Bragg’s office pushed back, but the Republican chairmen [have doubled down.](https://www.cnn.com/2023/03/25/politics/gop-committee-chairs-letter-alvin-bragg/index.html) “I trust the system,” Rep. “This indictment doesn’t pass the smell test,” Sen. “The Department of Justice already looked into the facts and decided there was no case to be made against President Trump. “The House of Representatives will hold Alvin Bragg and his unprecedented abuse of power to account,” he said. So I think in the end, justice will be done. But if not, I think that will be shown too.” For that reason alone, the powerful will never stop coming for him,” Rep. The news of the indictment broke just hours after lawmakers on Capitol Hill departed for a two-week Easter recess. No President of the United States has ever been criminally indicted. Trump Derangement Syndrome has infiltrated our judicial system and if they can come for him, they can come for anyone,” Rep. The charges are not publicly known at this time, one source told CNN.

A Manhattan grand jury has indicted former President Trump, according to multiple sources, making him the first current or former president to face criminal ...

Trump has long insisted he did "absolutely nothing wrong" and has called the investigation part of a witch hunt by a Democratic prosecutor. Of Trump, he said, "He needs to be held accountable for his dirty deeds." "From the time I came down the golden escalator at Trump Tower, and even before I was sworn in as your President of the United States, the Radical Left Democrats -- the enemy of the hard-working men and women of this Country -- have been engaged in a Witch-Hunt to destroy the Make America Great Again movement," Trump said in a subsequent statement. Trump's attorney to coordinate his surrender to the Manhattan D.A.'s Office for arraignment on a Supreme Court indictment, which remains under seal. In a statement released Thursday evening, a spokesperson for the Manhattan district attorney's office said, "This evening we contacted Mr. The indictment is under seal.

Former President Donald Trump is seen on the South Lawn of the White House on September 11, 2020. Drew Angerer/Getty Images.

“The weaponization of the legal system to advance a political agenda turns the rule of law on its head. “It appears to millions of Americans to be nothing more than a political prosecution that’s driven by a prosecutor who literally ran for office on a pledge to indict the former president.” Like other potential candidates, DeSantis had no political room to do anything other than condemn the indictment – even though he has been portraying himself as a potential president who would be far more calm, methodical and effective in implementing a hardline conservative agenda than Trump was. Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg is under enormous pressure since if he fails to secure a conviction, he will be accused even more than he already is of building a politicized case that could tear gaping new divides in the country. [most fervent supporters](http://www.cnn.com/2023/03/30/politics/republican-reaction-trump-indictment-congress/index.html) in the House of Representatives lambasted Bragg despite having not seen the charges or evidence against the former president. Elise Stefanik, the House GOP conference chair, released a statement saying the indictment was “a political witch hunt” and a “dark day for America.” There was no immediate comment, however, from Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell, underscoring the divides in the GOP over Trump’s past assault on American democracy and political aspirations. And it is also unclear whether a possible trial would take place before the 2024 election or where the multiple other investigations into Trump’s conduct will be by then. But many legal experts have questioned whether a case possibly alleging fraudulent accounting and subsequent infringements of election law would rise to the magnitude that might justify the nation-shaking act of indicting a former president and frontrunner for the 2024 GOP nomination. The perception of this extraordinary case will turn on two questions fundamental to the credibility of American justice: Are all citizens – even the most powerful, like former presidents and White House candidates – considered equal under the law? [The prosecution of the 45th president ](https://www.cnn.com/2023/03/30/politics/what-happens-next-court-trump-indictment)– and his attempts to inflame a partisan firestorm to protect himself – are likely to consume America’s already poisoned politics, threaten to rock yet another presidential election and may pose the most critical challenge yet to its system of justice. The ex-president quickly showed he’s ready to drive the country into a deep political crisis as he mounts his defense with wild claims of persecution. The former president will have to start answering for his conduct, likely beginning in court on Tuesday after he travels to New York to be arraigned in what will be a high-security spectacle given his past incitement of violence.

A grand jury has voted to indict him after investigating a $130,000 pay-out to Stormy Daniels in an attempt to buy her silence over an alleged affair. Mr Trump, ...

He was acquitted by the Senate both times. In a statement, Mr Trump lashed out at the Manhattan district attorney. Mr Bragg is a registered Democrat. Cohen was jailed from 2018-20 on multiple charges. Cohen has said in court that he made the $130,000 settlement "in co-ordination with and at the direction of" the former president. Mr Trump has repeatedly slammed the investigation in his hometown of New York as a political "witch hunt" led by his opponents.

For most people, getting indicted is a setback. From Donald Trump's team, it's viewed as an opportunity. Aides to the former president moved aggressively on ...

Former Vice President Mike Pence — who is debating his own 2024 challenge of Trump — called the indictment an “outrage” during a pre-scheduled interview with CNN. RNC Chair Ronna McDaniel called the news “a blatant abuse of power from a DA focused on political vengeance instead of keeping people safe.” And in a pre-recorded video message, GOP presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy called the indictment “wrong” and said the country was “skating on thin ice.” Unsatisfied with that Truth Social post, Trump deleted it and replaced it with another that went even further, not only suggesting without evidence DeSantis could be faced with allegations from not only a woman but a man, too, and that it could also come from someone “underage.” Both he and his advisers were blindsided by it, people close to the former president say. The effort underscores how Trump’s team believes it can turn the indictment into a campaign positive, at least in the short term. There will be more, advisers say: Trump’s team has convened a small army of lawyers and surrogates, who are set to pepper the airwaves in the coming days with campaign-approved talking points.

Donald Trump, the ex-president and frontrunner to be Republican nominee in 2024, is set to face a mug shot, finger-printing and a court appearance next week ...

Trump in 2018 initially disputed knowing anything about the payment to Daniels. Capitol assault by supporters and probe into his campaign's contacts with Russia in 2016. 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. The former president's personal lawyer Michael Cohen has said he coordinated with Trump on the payments to Daniels and to a second woman, former Playboy model Karen McDougal, who also said she had a sexual relationship with him. "I encourage both Mr. Capitol by his supporters. The Manhattan charges will likely be unsealed by a judge in the coming days and Trump will have to travel there to be fingerprinted and photographed, known as a surrender date, which a court official said was expected on Tuesday. While president between 2017 and 2021, Trump regularly clashed with allies over trade and defense, and a return to the Oval Office looks set to weaken U.S support for Ukraine. Trump’s critics and supporters to let the process proceed peacefully and according to the law," he said. Some 44% of Republicans said he should drop out of the race if he is indicted, according to a Reuters/Ipsos poll released last week. Register for free to Reuters and know the full story "This is Political Persecution and Election Interference at the highest level in history," Trump said in a statement.

A grand jury in New York voted to indict former President Donald Trump on charges related to hush money payments made to allegedly cover up affairs Trump had, ...

DeSantis has to walk a line not to offend the very pro-Trump GOP base, while Trump blasts DeSantis' record and personal characteristics daily. Instead of making big gains, as is usually the case for the president's party in a first midterm, Democrats actually expanded their majority in the Senate. Republicans have now lost the popular vote in seven of the last eight presidential elections. When Trump took office, the GOP had unified control of power in Washington. In the 2022 midterms, lots of Trump-backed and Trump-styled candidates lost key races in swing states and competitive districts, costing the GOP. All of this plays into the air of grievance Trump, a New York billionaire, has puffed into existence that he's used to propel his political fortunes. Democrats won control of the Senate. "This is Political Persecution and Election Interference at the highest level in history," Trump said in a statement Thursday night. And the Trump GOP machine went right to work, rolling out a political playbook meant to insulate the former president with his base. But Bragg brought this case first, and the stakes are incredibly high not only for him personally, but also politically. He did so even when the Mueller investigation didn't exonerate him and after his second impeachment following Jan. A grand jury hears evidence from a prosecutor, then decides whether there's enough there to file charges against a suspect in a crime.

Donald Trump has been indicted by a grand jury in New York over a hush money payment to Stormy Daniels. Daniels claims she had an affair with the former US ...

He framed the indictment as part of a long litany of investigations he has faced since he “came down the golden escalator at Trump Tower” to announce his candidacy for the Republican presidential nomination in 2015. But since 2016, Trump has been a political judo master, turning the weight of opponents and allegations against them to his own advantage. A criminal charge or even conviction does not prevent someone running for the White House, and Trump is currently leading in opinion polls for the 2024 Republican presidential primary. The partisan nature of the response to Trump’s indictment can be summed up in two images. Already, Trump’s statements about the Daniels case have followed a pattern he set in 1973, when federal prosecutors accused Trump and his father, Fred, a prominent New York City apartment developer, of turning away Black people who wanted to rent from them. 50 years after federal officials first accused Trump and his father of violating laws that barred racial discrimination in apartment rentals, the former president has been indicted. The former president will have to start answering for his conduct. His legal team is expected to vigorously fight the charges, and a timeline for a potential trial remains unclear. A hush payment by itself is legal, but outside legal experts have suggested the indictment is likely to focus on charges of falsifying business records. That has provided an opening for alternatives like Ron DeSantis, who are expected to paint themselves as champions of the former president’s policies – but without all his legal baggage. Trump attacked Bragg and US President Joe Biden in a statement released shortly after the news broke, claiming the indictment amounted to “political persecution”. Donald Trump has been indicted by a grand jury in New York over a hush money payment to Stormy Daniels.

Donald J. Trump was indicted in Manhattan on Thursday, becoming the first American president, current or former, to be charged with a crime.

If Mr. Mr. Lawyers for Mr. Convicting Mr. It was Mr. For one thing, Mr. When pleading guilty in federal court, Mr. Cohen, the district attorney’s inquiry would center on Mr. Cohen paid $130,000, and Mr. The charges against Mr. In the days after Mr. The payment, federal prosecutors concluded, amounted to an improper donation to Mr.

The potential 2024 Republican primary field quickly coalesced on Thursday around a strategy for responding to former President Donald Trump's indictment: ...

In Atlanta, Fulton County prosecutors are considering bringing racketeering and conspiracy charges in connection with Trump’s effort to overturn the 2020 election in Georgia. He added: “Finally, it is essential that the decision on America’s next President be made at the ballot box and not in the court system. “And it does drastically change the paradigm as we go into the ’24 election.” Chris Christie – who ran against Trump in 2016, then became an ally ahead of the 2020 election before reversing course and insisting this week that he would never back Trump again – was silent on Thursday night. Trump has denied knowledge of the payment. “I don’t know what goes into paying hush money to a porn star to secure silence over some type of alleged affair,” DeSantis said to laughs at a news conference in Panama City. “The weaponization of the legal system to advance a political agenda turns the rule of law on its head. “It is beyond belief that District Attorney Alvin Bragg has indicted a former President and current presidential candidate for pure political gain,” Youngkin said. While the grand jury found credible facts to support the charges, it is important that the presumption of innocence follows Mr. Nikki Haley, the former South Carolina governor and Trump’s first ambassador to the United Nations, is the only Republican heavyweight apart from Trump to formally declare her candidacy. Like DeSantis and others, he focused on Bragg and ignored the substance of the charges against Trump. DeSantis also reiterated that he would not “assist in an extradition request” for Trump, a Florida resident.

Florida will not assist in an extradition request,” the Florida governor tweeted.

A super PAC backing DeSantis released a Georgia poll on Thursday to the NBC News that had DeSantis actually leading Trump in that state. That’s a reference to DeSantis’ suspension of a Tampa-area prosecutor that has been challenged in federal and state court. “I think it’s a witch hunt,” Gruters told reporters outside the Senate chambers. Yet, now he is stretching the law to target a political opponent.” “The Soros-backed Manhattan District Attorney has consistently bent the law to downgrade felonies and to excuse criminal misconduct. It also mirrors the

Many in the party said Donald Trump could benefit from a wave of sympathy among Republicans, with his base of supporters likely to be energized by a belief ...

“We are going to see who are the politicians, who are the grifters, and who are the America First patriots,” Mr. Even the indictment will become the kind of spectacle Mr. On Thursday, Mr. “He will be mug-shot and fingerprinted,” Mr. “It’s the craziest thing,” Mr. Some advisers had been confident that there would be no movement until the end of April at the earliest and were looking at the political implications for Mr. Trump, Mr. How the indictment affects Mr. The poll found that Mr. Trump as the face of the Republican Party, said the indictment had already generated sympathy for the former president. “The rule of law appears to be suspended tonight — not just for Trump, but for anyone who would consider voting for him,” Mr. While not naming Mr.

Ron DeSantis, Nikki Haley, Mike Pence and Tim Scott attacked the Manhattan DA and were quick to assert that the indictment was about politics and not ...

The presumption of innocence is central to our legal system, yet is selectively discarded by those on the far left today,” he said in a statement. A Republican strategist supportive of Trump said bluntly: “This is political gold for Trump. Adam Kinzinger, R-Ill., a member of the Jan. “And it appears for millions of Americans to be nothing more than a political prosecution.” Yet, now he is stretching the law to target a political opponent,” DeSantis said in a statement Pence, whom Trump aggressively criticized for refusing to overturn his election defeat and subjected him to “hang Mike Pence!” chants by Trump backers on Jan. “This is a travesty and it should not be happening in the greatest country on Earth. He said the indictment would have "no bearing" on his decision. They want the rules to apply to everyone.” ambassador to the United Nations during the Trump administration, He said it was “a great disservice to the country.” Ron DeSantis called it “un-American” and a “weaponization of the legal system to advance a political agenda.”

NPR's Adrian Florido talks to Kim Wehle, former U.S. attorney and now professor at the University of Baltimore, about the political and legal implications ...

attorney and law professor Kim Wehle about the New York grand jury's decision to indict former President Donald Trump. This text may not be in its final form and may be updated or revised in the future. WEHLE: Well, I mean, he also - I think, at that point, reportedly, Cy Vance was looking into whether Donald Trump would be included in what ended up being an indictment and conviction of the Trump Organization for tax fraud and other crimes and, you know, the former CFO Allen Weisselberg's guilty plea for that. You know, Alvin Bragg was - is an elected official, and all of this really is about the voters of Manhattan who chose him and Donald Trump's - the grand jury of his peers that indicted him. And I think it's really important to distinguish, you know, political stakes from legal stakes, and there are a lot of procedural, evidentiary and constitutional protections in place to make sure, you know, that that far-off question is fairly adjudicated. His predecessor looked into these alleged hush-money payments also, but did not pursue charges, which raises a question, I think, about the strength of this case. Daniels for keeping silent in the lead-up to the 2016 election. The specific charges are still under seal, but this outcome has been expected for weeks and is just one of many legal threats Trump faces in his post-presidency. What charges might the former president be facing? Because until we see that, it's very hard to really do a fair analysis of it, I think. And hopefully we will see, in due course, the actual terms of the indictment. And in a way, it's good to have it actually happen.

Senior Republicans in Congress and the party's 2024 White House hopefuls rallied behind former President Donald Trump after he was indicted by a Manhattan ...

Trump has denied the allegations. Hopefully, the former President will peacefully respect the system, which grants him that right.” In the past week, according to Trump's campaign, he raised nearly $2 million. In the U.S. Rick Scott, a U.S. Trump called the indictment a "political persecution."

Media outlets are reporting that a New York City grand jury has voted to indict Donald Trump, sparking outrage among Florida Republicans.

"This indictment I think helps President Trump," said Palm Beach County GOP state committeeman Joe Budd. "Upon learning of the NY DA indictment, I am heartbroken by the damage this targeted prosecution will do to the integrity of our justice system," tweeted Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody. "The weaponization of the legal system to advance a political agenda turns the rule of law on its head," DeSantis tweeted Thursday. It appears unlikely that DeSantis actually will be faced with helping Trump fight extradition from Florida. Trump and some of his top supporters slammed DeSantis after his remarks last week. DeSantis said the prosecutor in the Trump case is "stretching the law to target a political opponent."

Former US President Donald Trump is being charged with a crime. Here is what the case is about.

He is accused of falsifying his business records by saying the payment was for legal fees. If any of the charges are serious - what in the US is called a felony - then Mr Trump would face a maximum of four years in prison. Mr Trump's lawyer, Michael Cohen, paid her $130,000 to keep quiet. There are reports that will be on Tuesday. Yes, there's nothing in the US constitution to prevent Mr Trump from continuing his election campaign now he is being charged. Former US President Donald Trump is being charged with a crime in relation to a payment he made to a porn star.

The charges against Donald J. Trump will be formally unsealed when he is arraigned. The first former president to be a criminal defendant, his indictment ...

After Mr. Mr. When Mr. Pomerantz and Mr. Pomerantz said that Mr. And Mr. In the spring, Mr. Lawyers for Mr. Daniels’s account, Mr. Daniels tells it, Mr. At the time, Mr. Cohen asked Mr.

Former President Trump was indicted by a Manhattan grand jury Thursday, making history as the first executive — sitting or former — to face criminal charges ...

Evan Corcoran, Trump’s attorney in the Mar-a-Lago probe, was also ordered by a judge to return and testify in that probe, with a judge determining he could not use attorney-client privilege to avoid answering numerous questions asked in a prior grand jury appearance. Former Vice President Mike Pence, Trump chief of staff Mark Meadows and other former White House aides have been ordered to testify in the Jan. Trump has lost several recent court battles dealing with those probes, with sealed orders from judges directing cooperation from a number of people close to the former president. Adam Schiff (D-Calif.), who led Trump’s first impeachment — have been highly critical of the DOJ for failing to bring any charges against Trump even more than two years after the Jan. Interviews from various jurors on the panel indicated that they recommended charges for multiple defendants in the matter. District Attorney Fani Willis (D) has also presented evidence to a grand jury about Trump’s attempts to influence the 2020 election there. Schiff, who led Trump’s first impeachment investigation, has been critical of the DOJ for failing to bring any charges against Trump after more than two years from the Jan. 6 attack on the Capitol and the discovery of classified documents at his residence in South Florida. What Trump says in the days to come will be closely watched. So our Movement, and our Party – united and strong – will first defeat Alvin Bragg, and then we will defeat Joe Biden,” Trump said in a statement. A hush payment by itself is legal, but outside legal experts have suggested the indictment is likely to focus on charges of falsifying business records. Trump has acknowledged the payment to Daniels, though he denies her claim the two had sexual relations.

Republicans unleashed rage at Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg after the grand jury voted on Thursday afternoon for the indictment. GOP defends Trump, ...

Overhaul](https://www.nytimes.com/2023/03/30/us/politics/biden-irs-overhaul-taxes.html), from Alan Rappeport at The New York Times [Senate’s Push for Fed Transparency Gains Support After Bank Failures](https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2023-03-30/senate-s-fed-transparency-push-gains-steam-after-bank-failures), from Zach C. John Fetterman (D-Pa.) is slated to return to work the week the Senate returns from the two-week Easter and Passover recess. [Gisele Fetterman says ‘vicious attacks’ poured in after husband’s hospitalization](https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2023/03/30/gisele-john-fetterman-attacks/), from Amy B. Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.), who is recovering from shingles. He will be able to avail himself of the legal system and a jury, not politics, to determine his fate according to the facts and the law,” Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) said in a statement on Thursday night. No one is above the law, and everyone has the right to a trial to prove innocence. DEBT BACKUP PLAN — The “five families” among House Republicans met in one room with a bunch of pizza and a lot to say about President Joe Biden and the impending debt ceiling. A DIFFERENT INDICTMENT — A grand jury has indicted the man suspected of assaulting Rep. - “The grand jury has acted upon the facts and the law. Thom Tillis (R-N.C.) said in a statement. Rand Paul (R-Ky.) seemed to offer a wish list for Bragg, referencing the fate of another DA: “Wonder if DA Bragg remembers Durham DA Mike Nifong who withheld exculpatory DNA tests on the Duke lacrosse players. The historic indictment of former President Donald Trump last night, in some ways, let Congress off the hook.

Former president Donald Trump has been indicted by a New York grand jury. District Attorney Alvin Bragg's office said it has contacted Trump's attorney "to ...

"Now that the charges have been filed, it is better for the case to let the indictment speak for itself," Cohen said. I've got real issues I've got to deal with here in the state of Florida." Republican National Committee Chairwoman Ronna McDaniel called the probe a "blatant abuse of power from a DA focused on political vengeance." Revisit how [the news unfolded.](https://www.npr.org/live-updates/donald-trump-indictment-arrest-new-york) Especially when they do," said Rep. "A nation of laws must hold the rich and powerful accountable, even when they hold high office. The Trump Organization said that those reimbursement payments were for legal fees, which is not true. attorney and now a law professor at the University of Baltimore. Cohen transferred that money to Daniels less than two weeks before the election. "No one is above the law, and everyone has the right to a trial to prove innocence," said No one is above the law, and everyone has the right to a trial to prove innocence. And then after Trump won, Trump reimbursed Cohen, including with his own personal checks.

Three stocks with ties to former President Donald Trump surged Friday after two sources familiar with the case told CNN that Trump faces 30 counts related ...

A liquidation would have also threatened the additional $1 billion the Trump media company has raised. The Justice Department is investigating the acquisition, in addition to the SEC. In late June, Digital World revealed its board members had received subpoenas from a federal grand jury in the Southern District of New York related to due diligence regarding the deal. The former president is the chairman and a major shareholder of TMTG. DWAC announced plans in October 2021 to acquire Trump Media & Technology Group, owner of the Truth Social app. And Rumble [(RMBL)](https://money.cnn.com/quote/quote.html?symb=RMBL&source=story_quote_link), a conservative video platform that partners with Trump’s Truth Social app, also rose 3%.

Former President Donald Trump is facing about 30 document fraud-related charges in New York City connected to hush money he allegedly paid to cover up ...

She was paid through the parent company of the National Enquirer, a Trump-aligned tabloid that purchased exclusive rights to her story, which it never published, in a "catch-and-kill" operation to protect Trump. Prosecutors are expected to say Trump tried to illegally hide the payments. Cohen is now the government’s star witness. The federal special counsel is also investigating Trump's role in the discovery of hundreds of documents with classified markings at his Florida home and private club. I don’t know if it’s gonna make it to trial because we have substantial legal challenges.” It’s not gonna happen,” Tacopina said. [including those hoping to defeat Trump in 2024](https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/2024-election/trumps-2024-presidential-rivals-jump-defense-indictment-rcna77529) — rallied behind the former president, vowing to investigate and protest the Manhattan DA for an indictment they say is politically motivated. Prosecutors are expected to allege that Trump falsified business records to cover up the payments to Daniels and McDougal, which they are expected to say amounted to illegal campaign expenditures. [federal](https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/donald-trump/federal-judge-orders-pence-testify-special-counsel-probe-investigating-rcna77036) and [state](https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/donald-trump/read-partial-georgia-grand-jury-report-2020-election-interference-rcna71019) investigations into his efforts to overturn the 2020 election, which have been gaining steam. [ said she had a monthslong affair ](https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/donald-trump/former-playboy-model-claims-she-had-affair-trump-report-says-n848601)with Trump not long after he married Melania Trump, which Trump has denied. [Michael Cohen pleaded guilty](https://www.nbcnews.com/news/crime-courts/ex-trump-lawyer-michael-cohen-discussing-plea-deal-prosecutors-n902571) to breaking campaign finance laws and admitted to making hush money payments of $130,000 and $150,000 to two women "at the direction of a candidate for federal office" — a clear reference to Trump, though he was not named — "with the purpose of influencing the [2016] election," according to court documents. [Donald Trump](https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/donald-trump/live-blog/trump-indictment-live-updates-rcna77614) is facing about 30 charges in New York City related to document fraud connected to hush money he allegedly paid to cover up affairs, two sources familiar with the matter told NBC News after he was indicted Thursday.

Donald Trump's indictment excited investors, who are betting that criminal charges will actually help the former president and make him richer.

Digital World stock has already fallen from a high of $175 to its current $14.42. The SEC, Department of Justice and Financial Industry Regulatory Authority are The former president’s Trump Media and Technology Group, which owns Twitter knockoff Truth Social, has plans to merge with a SPAC called Digital World Acquisition Corp. If the excitement continues, Trump could benefit even more. By Friday morning, with stock changing hands at $14.42, the market was implying Trump’s stake was worth about $1.057 billion. Donald Trump’s indictment excited investors, who are betting that criminal charges will actually help the former president and make him richer.

Following Donald Trump's indictment by a Manhattan grand jury Thursday, the former president begins the first steps in the criminal justice process.

Bader said that judges rarely order suspects in white-collar crimes to be held in jail before their trial, and she expected that the judge will release Trump after the hearing. Trump and his attorneys have indicated they intend to fight the indictment in court. Similarly, Trump attorney Joe Tacopina told George Stephanopoulos Friday on ABC's "Good Morning America" that Trump would not be handcuffed.

We've been waiting for the dam to break for six years,” one Democrat in South Carolina said of Donald Trump's indictment.

“In a constitutional democracy, respect for the rule of law is so much more important than what it means for the immediate- to medium-term polling effects,” Mr. Trump in [national Republican primary polling](https://www.realclearpolitics.com/epolls/latest_polls/gop_primaries/). Ron DeSantis of Florida, a likely contender for the Republican nomination, who has had a He could face [multiple other](https://www.nytimes.com/2023/03/30/us/politics/trump-indictment-democracy.html) indictments. There is a broad consensus in the party, supported by ample polling, that the former president would be the easiest Republican rival for Mr. “He isn’t above the law and anyone who suggests otherwise is un-American,” said Matt Bennett, a co-founder of Third Way, a centrist Democratic organization. “I’m not going to talk about Trump’s indictment,” he said before leaving for a trip to Mississippi. He was charged with [more than](https://www.nytimes.com/live/2023/03/31/nyregion/trump-indicted/heres-the-latest-on-the-trump-indictment?smid=url-share) two dozen counts, though the specifics are not yet known. [swirl of investigations](https://www.nytimes.com/article/trump-investigations-civil-criminal.html) Mr. Trump on Thursday became [the first former president to face criminal charges](https://www.nytimes.com/2023/03/30/nyregion/trump-indictment-hush-money-charges.html). Their feelings ranged from jubilation and vindication to anxieties about the strength of the case, concerns that it could heighten Mr. “We’ve been waiting for the dam to break for six years,” declared Carter Hudgins, 73, a retired professor from Charleston, S.C.

Former President Donald Trump's indictment by a New York grand jury has thrust the nation into uncharted political, legal and historical waters, ...

But Trump’s status as a former president who is currently running for the White House again will undoubtedly inject additional security and practical concerns around the next steps in his case. Prosecutors were also weighing whether to charge Trump with falsifying business records in the first degree for falsifying a record with the intent to commit another crime or to aid or conceal another crime, which in this case could be a violation of campaign finance laws. And if a first appearance is also an arraignment, a plea is expected to be entered. “I believe this Witch-Hunt will backfire massively on Joe Biden,” the former president said in a statement Thursday. To prove the case, prosecutors would need to show Trump intended to commit a crime. Trump was caught off guard by the grand jury’s decision to indict him, according to a person who spoke directly with him. If an arrest of a defendant is not needed, arrangements are made with them or their lawyers for a voluntary surrender to law enforcement. Trump has denied knowledge of the payment. Falsifying business records is a misdemeanor in New York. Trump has denied the affair. Ahead of the indictment, prosecutors were weighing whether to charge Trump with falsifying the business records of the Trump Organization for how it reflected the reimbursement of the payment to Cohen, who said he advanced the money to Daniels. The company noted the reimbursements as a legal expense in its internal books.

Former President Trump's indictment by a Manhattan grand jury has sent the political and legal worlds into a frenzy. Here's what we know so far about the ...

We will vigorously fight this political prosecution in Court,” Trump attorneys Tacopina and Susan Necheles said in a statement shortly after the indictment was announced. “The political elites and powerbrokers have weaponized government to try and stop him. “President Trump has been indicted. The timing of Thursday’s announcement came as something of a surprise. There is expected to be a heightened police presence around the Manhattan courthouse where Trump will be arraigned on Tuesday, and authorities were unloading metal barriers in the vicinity days before the indictment was announced. Trump is running for the Republican presidential nomination for 2024, and he has for months said he would not drop out of the race even if he were indicted. So I think that’s why they held it off, let it calm down a little bit,” said Karen Santucci, a former New York grand jury court reporter who now directs Plaza College’s court reporting program. While the specific charges Trump is facing won’t be known publicly for a few more days, the former president and his team have already made clear they intend to put up a fight. The indictment — which contains the specific charges — will remain under seal until Trump appears in court for his arraignment on Tuesday, unless Bragg successfully asks a judge to unseal it early. The indictment stems from the hush money payment to Daniels before the 2016 election, but beyond that little will be known until Trump is arraigned. Trump’s attorney, Joe Tacopina, said on “Good Morning America” on Friday that much of what will happen is still unknown, but he does not expect Trump to be put in handcuffs. Trump is expected to be arraigned in Manhattan on Tuesday afternoon at 2:15 EDT, according to a court spokesperson.

New York prosecutors hit back Friday against “unfounded allegations” from the House GOP that a Donald Trump probe is politically motivated.

The office argued that the congressional committees do not have jurisdiction to oversee a state criminal prosecution. On March 20, Jordan and the two other committee chairmen issued a letter requesting documents and testimony from Bragg. [news of an indictment](https://rollcall.com/2023/03/30/gop-in-congress-follows-familiar-route-of-rallying-to-trump-support/) kept drawing attacks from Republicans on Friday. [Lindsey Graham](https://www.rollcall.com/members/438?utm_source=memberLinks&utm_medium=memberlinks&personid=438) tweeted. “Instead, you and many of your colleagues have chosen to collaborate with Mr. Comer](https://www.rollcall.com/members/91046?utm_source=memberLinks&utm_medium=memberlinks&personid=91046) of Kentucky.

Manhattan grand jury indicted ex-President Donald Trump — in a historic first · The Trump indictment remains under seal so there is a lot we don't know ...

"And I think more than anything he probably wants that public stage to play the victim, to have an audience." "Trump is not known for hiding from cameras, and I'm certain there will be a lot of cameras there." Most similar cases would probably take a year to get to trial, Galluzzo says. "Until we read that indictment, we don't know the specific charges Trump will have to defend himself against," he adds. but more indictments to come," presidential historian Douglas Brinkley Still, we do know that the 23-person grand jury heard evidence in the case, including testimony from Daniels and Trump's former personal attorney, Michael Cohen. The processing itself would take place behind closed doors. Galluzzo expects defense attorneys to argue that it won't be fair for Trump to get a fair trial in Manhattan and push to have it moved somewhere else. "This is the first time that it really seems likely that the former president of the United States will be having a mugshot, being fingerprinted and having not just this indictment ... [told Reuters](https://www.usnews.com/news/top-news/articles/2023-03-31/trump-lawyer-says-ex-president-will-not-be-handcuffed-when-he-surrenders) on Friday that he will not be handcuffed when he arrives, and plans to enter a not guilty plea. That's when Trump would come in for photographs, fingerprints and paperwork, as well as to enter a plea, a process that A spokesperson for the New York Office of Court Administration has since confirmed to NPR that Trump is expected to appear in court on Tuesday at 2:15 p.m.

If there was ever room for a Republican critical of Donald Trump in the 2024 GOP field, it all but disappeared on Thursday night. Within a matter of hours ...

On Wednesday, he called a Trump donor to seek a meeting ahead of his planned campaign launch, according to a copy of the voicemail obtained by POLITICO. “Maybe someone would have the decency to not defend [Trump], or point out that this is a behavior that gives them concerns, but that’s asking a lot.” “You have to hold everyone to the rule of law,” Sununu said, “but clearly there’s been some hesitation on whether they could really find anybody guilty on this.” Especially not after the blowback DeSantis received by criticizing Trump on moral grounds, saying at a press conference last week he didn’t “know what goes into paying hush money to a porn star.” This person likened the indictment Thursday to news last year of the Supreme Court reaching a decision in the Dobbs case: “There was a big surprise when this came down, but you’ve been lying in wait, expecting it for a little bit.” Chris Sununu, who’s called for the party to move on from Trump in 2024 but said he would still support him if he’s the nominee, wouldn’t distance himself too much from the former president in an interview with POLITICO last week. Second, probably most importantly, it just completely sucks the oxygen out of the room.” Every court proceeding, every new twist in the case will represent a litmus test other candidates in the field will either pass or fail. As Pence had it: “outrageous.” “Beyond belief,” “It rallies the base—there’s this rally around the flag effect for Trump. Ron DeSantis](https://www.politico.com/news/2023/03/30/desantis-trump-indictment-00089865), Trump’s most prominent Republican opponent, came to heel, pledging to refuse any extradition request ahead of what is expected to be Trump’s likely surrender next week. [Fox News](https://www.theguardian.com/media/2023/mar/31/donald-trump-indicted-reaction-how-fox-news-reported-indictment), rallied to his defense.

The Capitol Police is expected to ramp up its presence on the Hill.

- "Much of the language from the former President and his devotees is similar to what inspired Jan. [trapped in the gallery on Jan. [urged his supporters to stay home](https://www.axios.com/2023/03/19/mccarthy-urges-no-protests-violence-if-trump-arrested). "I've been in the Trump hate tunnel, Donald Trump has gone after me, and quite frankly I don't have security. [congressional baseball shooting](https://www.axios.com/2017/12/15/virginia-shooting-suspect-identified-as-james-hodgkinson-1513302997), a string of [threats and attacks against members](https://www.axios.com/2022/07/31/congres-capitol-security-aoc-zeldin-jayapal) last year, the [assault on Paul Pelosi](https://www.axios.com/2022/10/28/nancy-pelosi-husband-home-invasion-assault) and an [overall rise in threats towards lawmakers](https://www.axios.com/2023/01/18/congressional-threats-data-investigations) have all contributed to frayed nerves on the Hill. [said he was going to be arrested](https://www.axios.com/2023/03/18/donald-trump-indictment-protests-new-york) and called for supporters to "protest, take our nation back," according to several senior Democratic aides. 6](https://www.axios.com/2022/01/02/gallery-group-jan6-anniversary), said he will allow staff to work from home on Tuesday, when Trump is [reportedly expected to be arraigned](https://www.nytimes.com/live/2023/03/31/nyregion/trump-indicted)in New York. [ransacking the Capitol on Jan. [Trump's fiery speech in Waco](https://www.axios.com/2023/03/26/rally-trump-blasts-investigators-maniacs) a "call to arms." - "I don't ever want to see a Jan. 6](https://www.axios.com/2023/03/21/trump-arrest-lawmakers-jan-6) is still fresh on the mind. [concerns over potential unrest](https://www.axios.com/2023/03/30/congress-enters-dangerous-territory-trump-indicted)after the former president encouraged supporters to protest and warned of "death and destruction" if he was arrested.

Former President Donald Trump's indictment may present an untested legal challenge if prosecutors try to charge him with campaign finance law violations in ...

"So, it is, I think, to say the least, novel for a state prosecutor to be in a position of using an uncharged federal crime to enhance a state offense of falsification of business records," she added. and one regarding potential misuse of classified documents, in addition to a state criminal probe in Georgia, also over efforts to overturn the election. 6 or for the documents, or for what happened in Georgia, it would have been much better had those gone first," said former Republican Rep. "It's not necessarily saying that New York should not go ahead with it, but I think we, I, anybody, would prefer that if there's gonna be other indictments for, say, Jan. "One, it could just be that each check involved in this scheme is being separately charged, or it could mean that there is more to this case than we right now have insight into," she said. "The FEC, Federal Election Commission, here did not proceed in this case. "If it's a federal campaign finance crime, that is pretty novel legal terrain," she continued. "So, the question becomes what might that other crime be?" In theory, the alleged felony could amount to federal campaign violation if prosecutors argue it helped Trump politically coming so close to an election. The Justice Department here did not proceed against the president. [District Attorney Alvin Bragg](https://abcnews.go.com/US/manhattan-da-alvin-bragg-jr-prosecuting-trump/story?id=97989545)'s position. Executives at the Trump Organization authorized reimbursement payments to Cohen that were falsely recorded as general legal expenses.

Trump's surrender will usher in the unprecedented scenario of a former U.S. commander-in-chief being arrested and arraigned.

Federal prosecutors argued — in a 2018 criminal case against Cohen — that the payments equated to illegal aid to Trump’s campaign. As Trump ran for president in 2016, his allies paid the women to bury their allegations. At the federal level, a Justice Department-appointed special counsel also is investigating Trump’s efforts to unravel the national election results. Trump lawyer Joseph Tacopina said during TV interviews Friday he would “very aggressively” challenge the legal validity of the Manhattan grand jury indictment. Trump has Secret Service protection, so agents would need to be by his side at all times. commander in chief forced to stand before a judge.