A Manhattan grand jury voted Thursday to issue an indictment of former President Donald Trump on charges for his alleged involvement in making hush money payments to porn star Stormy Daniels during his 2016 presidential campaign, according to multiple reports.
The indictment marks the first time a former U.S. president has been criminally charged, setting the stage for what could be an unprecedented trial as Trump seeks a return to the White House in 2024. The indictment comes days after reports emerged criminal charges may be forthcoming, eliciting pushback from several GOP lawmakers and Trump’s close allies, four people familiar with the matter told the New York Times.
MICHAEL COHEN CONFIRMS HE WILL BE REBUTTAL WITNESS IN MANHATTAN DISTRICT ATTORNEY HUSH MONEY INQUIRY
The felony indictment is filed under seal by Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg’s office and will likely be announced in the coming days.
Reports of a looming indictment emerged after former Trump attorney Michael Cohen testified before the Manhattan grand jury multiple times earlier this month. Daniels, whose real name is Stephanie Clifford, also met with prosecutors earlier this month.
The case received increased attention after Trump posted on his Truth Social account over the weekend that he expected to be arrested on Tuesday, urging his supporters to protest and “take our nation back.” The call for protests prompted increased security measures outside the Manhattan District Attorney’s Office, the U.S. Capitol building, and Trump’s home in Mar-a-Lago.
Cohen was previously convicted in 2018 after pleading guilty to paying two women who accused Trump of sexual affairs to be silent, including Daniels. As part of the scheme, Cohen paid Daniels $130,000 and was later reimbursed by the Trump Organization.
Manhattan prosecutors later opened an investigation into whether Trump falsified business records to list the reimbursement as a legal expense. Such a crime is a misdemeanor in New York but could be increased to a felony if Bragg’s office argues the fraud was intended to conceal a second crime.
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At the time of Cohen’s trial, federal prosecutors did not press charges against Trump due to guidance from the Justice Department that a sitting president cannot be charged with a crime. However, prosecutors revived discussions about possible charges shortly before Trump left office in 2021.
The threat of an indictment of the former president sparked outrage among several GOP lawmakers, with House Republicans announcing on Monday they would be opening investigations into Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg regarding the matter. The indictment sets the stage for Trump to be arraigned by law enforcement officials, although it’s not clear when the former president may be taken into custody.
