In a historic and unprecedented move, former President Donald Trump has been indicted by a Manhattan grand jury, marking the first time a current or former US president has faced criminal charges. Although the indictment has been filed under seal and the specific charges are yet to be disclosed, the development is expected to send shockwaves across the nation.
Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg's office plans to contact Trump's lawyers to discuss his surrender and subsequent arraignment. The district attorney has been investigating Trump's alleged involvement in a hush money payment scheme and cover-up with adult film star Stormy Daniels during the 2016 presidential election.
The indictment not only challenges the American political system, which has never seen criminal charges brought against a former leader, but also propels the 2024 presidential campaign into a new phase. Trump has vowed to continue his bid for the presidency despite facing criminal charges.
Throughout various investigations, Trump has repeatedly labeled them as a "witch hunt" and portrayed himself as a victim of politically motivated probes by Democratic prosecutors. As the indictment approached, Trump called upon his supporters to protest his arrest, echoing his post-2020 election calls to action when he attempted to overturn his loss to President Joe Biden.
Despite settling multiple private civil lawsuits and navigating disputes involving the Trump Organization, Trump has managed to avoid legal consequences in his personal, professional, and political lives. He was impeached twice by the Democratic-led House but escaped conviction by the Senate. In December, the Trump Organization faced multiple tax fraud charges but Trump himself remained uncharged.
The looming indictment has drawn criticism from Trump's Republican allies and potential 2024 GOP rivals. House Speaker Kevin McCarthy has pledged to investigate the matter. Bragg's office had hinted at charges against Trump in early March after inviting the former president to testify before the grand jury investigating the hush money scheme. Trump declined to appear before the panel.
The long-running investigation, initiated by Bragg's predecessor, Cy Vance, revolves around a $130,000 payment made by Trump's then-personal attorney, Michael Cohen, to Daniels days before the 2016 presidential election. Trump Organization executives allegedly authorized $420,000 in payments to Cohen, which included the original payment, tax liabilities, and a bonus. The reimbursements were recorded as a legal expense in the Trump Organization's books. Trump has denied any knowledge of the payment.