Former President Donald Trump Indicted by Grand Jury
President Donald J. Trump speaks with armed services personnel via teleconference on Thursday, November 26, 2020, during a Thanksgiving video teleconference call from the Diplomatic Reception Room of the White House (Archived Trump White House Photo by Shealah Craighead).
President Trump will be the first former president to face criminal charges.
Article by Tommy Lynch, Junior White House Correspondent and Georgia Simon, Associate White House Reporter
NEW YORK - The indictment is centered around evidence that Trump paid $130,000 in “hush money” to adult film star Stormy Daniels to keep her from speaking out about an affair between the two of them. Trump had classified the payment as a business expense. Trump has vehemently denied all claims of the transaction taking place.
The official vote has not happened, but multiple sources close to the matter have confirmed it. The vote is expected to happen later this week.
Trump has been vocal about expecting an indictment, as he claimed he would be arrested on March 20th. He has since taken to attacking District Attorney Alvin Bragg, who has been investigating Trumps records.
It is unclear how this will affect Trump’s 2024 presidential run, as he is currently leading most Republican voter polls.
The Responses:
Former President Trump announced on Truth Social that he would be arrested on Tuesday, March 21st, however this never happened. The Manhattan Grand Jury gave the former President the option to testify early that month. He declined that offer.
In his Truth Social announcement, Trump called on his followers to torment the jury as well as propose violent efforts in order to shield the former President in light of the charges.
“No one is above the law; not even a former president," Michael Cohen, former Trump lawyer, said.
There is no response from the White House as of right now.
Trump responded to the grand jury calling it “election interference.”
“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,” President Trump said in his statement.
Congressional Republicans are behind President Trump, with supportive tweets on his behalf.
“The Democrat Party’s hatred for Donald Trump knows no bounds. The ‘substance’ of this political persecution is utter garbage. This is completely unprecedented and is a catastrophic escalation in the weaponization of the justice system,” Sen. Ted Cruz said in a tweet.
NYPD is expected to be putting in extensive security for Friday.
What Happens Next?
The NYPD is mobilizing all officers in New York City to brace in case of violent outbursts or riots will occur.
The White House does not have any plans on speaking about the indictment.
President Trump will be arraigned Tuesday April 4th.
Trump's Team thought that the indictment was either reconsidered or it would not be happening for many more weeks.
The former President is expected to be arrested early next week.
A spokesperson for Alvin Briggs, Manhattan District Attorney, said “This evening we contacted Mr. 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. Guidance will be provided when the arraignment date is selected.”
Stormy Daniels' lawyer responded to the grand jury saying “The indictment of Donald Trump is no cause for joy. The hard work and conscientiousness of the grand jurors must be respected. Now let truth and justice prevail. No one is above the law. #TeamStormy.”
Kevin McCarthy and Ron DeSantis are supping former President Trump.
Ron DeSantis tweeted after the indictment was first announced “The weaponization of the legal system to advance a political agenda turns the rule of law on its head. It is un-American. The Soros-backed Manhattan District Attorney has consistently bent the law to downgrade felonies and to excuse criminal misconduct. Yet, now he is stretching the law to target a political opponent. Florida will not assist in an extradition request given the questionable circumstances at issue with this Soros-backed Manhattan prosecutor and his political agenda.”
Full Statement From current Trump Attorney Alina Habba:
"A former president, a current candidate and my friend President Donald J. Trump is a victim of a corrupt and distorted version of the American justice system and history. He will be vindicated, […].”
Full statement from former Trump attorney Michael Cohen:
“For the first time in our Country’s history, a President (current or former) of the United States has been indicted. I take no pride in issuing this statement and wish to also remind everyone of the presumption of innocence; as provided by the due process clause. However, I do take solace in validating the adage that no one is above the law; not even a former President. Today’s indictment is not the end of this chapter; but rather, just the beginning. Now that the charges have been filed, it is better for the case to let the indictment speak for itself. The two things I wish to say at this time is that accountability matters and I stand by my testimony and the evidence I have provided to DANY [District Attorney of New York].”
Full Statement from Former President Donald Trump:
“This is Political Persecution and Election Interference at the highest level in history. 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. You remember it just like I do: Russia, Russia, Russia; the Mueller Hoax; Ukraine, Ukraine, Ukraine; Impeachment Hoax 1; Impeachment Hoax 2; the illegal and unconstitutional Mar-a-Lago raid; and now this.”
“The Democrats have lied, cheated and stolen in their obsession with trying to ‘Get Trump,’ but now they’ve done the unthinkable — indicting a completely innocent person in an act of blatant Election Interference. “
“Never before in our Nation’s history has this been done. The Democrats have cheated countless times over the decades, including spying on my campaign, but weaponizing our justice system to punish a political opponent, who just so happens to be a President of the United States and by far the leading Republican candidate for President, has never happened before. Ever.”
“Manhattan DA Alvin Bragg, who was hand-picked and funded by George Soros, is a disgrace. Rather than stopping the unprecedented crime wave taking over New York City, he’s doing Joe Biden’s dirty work, ignoring the murders and burglaries and assaults he should be focused on. This is how Bragg spends his time!”
“I believe this Witch-Hunt will backfire massively on Joe Biden. The American people realize exactly what the Radical Left Democrats are doing here. Everyone can see it. So our Movement, and our Party — united and strong — will first defeat Alvin Bragg, and then we will defeat Joe Biden, and we are going to throw every last one of these Crooked Democrats out of office so we can MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN!”