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Trump’s indictment in New York: Here’s what you need to know

new york – Donald Trump became the first former US president to be charged with a crime, the culmination of a political rise defined by an unprecedented scandal.

of Manhattan grand jury vote to indict The former Republican president has pushed current nominee Trump into a new era of legal risk with charges related to hush-money payments made on his behalf during the 2016 presidential election, prompting White. complicating his attempts to return to the House.

Here’s what you need to know about prosecution and case:

The former president may have a criminal record

Trump then faces threats to freedom Decades of legal research Never had serious consequences.

The Manhattan District Attorney’s Office said Thursday that prosecutors had contacted Trump’s lawyers to arrange for him to surrender, which could happen early next week. Get processed, fingerprinted, and photographedHe is also expected to appear in court as the judge lists the charges and Trump files a petition.

While he is running for the White House again, he must fight a criminal case and keep his time and attention away from the election campaign.

The indictment will come as it is facing several other investigations That could lead to legal problems for the former president. These pending cases are Civil trial set to start in New York next month A growing cloud of scandal surrounds Trump over a columnist’s allegations that he raped her in the 1990s.

The case stems from hush money paid to the woman

A grand jury in Manhattan was investigating hush money payments to two women who alleged sexual relations with the former president during the height of the 2016 presidential election. One of the witnesses who testified, former Trump attorney Michael Cohen, says he arranged payments to porn actor Stormy Daniels and former Playboy model Karen McDougall totaling $280,000. In 2018, he pleaded guilty to violating federal campaign finance laws in connection with the payments. Federal prosecutors said the payments amounted to illegal and unreported support for Trump’s campaign. Refused to indict Trump himself.

The Manhattan District Attorney’s Office appeared to be investigating whether someone had committed a crime in arranging payments or in a manner that the Trump Organization describes internally. charges remained sealed until late Thursday.

Trump pleads not guilty

Trump, who denies any sexual contact, called the indictment “political persecution” and an attempt to interfere in the presidential election.

He has called himself a “completely innocent man” and the indictment was designed to “destroy” his Make America Great Again movement, including his two impeachments and the impeachment of the president. It is the latest in a series of actions he says are taking place. FBI search of his house It revealed classified documents.

“Democrats have lied, cheated and stolen in their ‘get Trump’ obsession,” he said in a statement.

Earlier this month, Trump called for supporters to protest, saying arrests were imminent. Last week he warned of “potential death and destruction” if indicted. His words evoked his comments ahead of the Jan. 6, 2021 riots at the U.S. Capitol.

Trump did not repeat his call for protests on Thursday, but police across the country are wary of possible disruption.

Other investigations continue

Besides the Manhattan incident, Trump faces a string of other investigations.

At the federal level, the Justice Department is investigating the holding of top-secret government documents at his Mar-a-Lago Florida mansion and efforts by Trump and his supporters to overturn the results of the 2020 election. I’m here.

Efforts by many of the same players in the latter case were also the subject of a special grand jury investigation in Georgia. The panel’s foreperson is Special Grand Jury Recommends Multiple Criminal Chargesleaving the decision of whether to convene a regular grand jury to file criminal charges is up to Democratic Fulton County District Attorney Fanny Willis.

With so many serious cases looming around other investigations, some legal experts are questioning the wisdom of the Manhattan case being charged first.

Trump rivals condemn indictment

Trump tried to use the case to spur support, saying the indictments would actually help him in the 2024 presidential election. First rally of the campaignhe cast the Manhattan probe and other investigations as the latest in a long string of political attacks against him. The legal challenge was also an attack on supporters and the political movement.

Some Republicans and independent voters can at least view this incident as another example of the problematic baggage that has followed and distracted Trump over the years. The news was expected to only strengthen the existing Democratic opposition to Trump.

Republicans running for office against Trump or considering their own campaigns criticized the incident and called Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg even if it didn’t address the underlying allegations against Trump. They quickly assembled to attack.

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, who is expected to announce the campaign and is seen as Trump’s biggest rival for the Republican nomination, called the indictments “un-American.” Former Vice President Mike Pence is also considering challenging Trump in 2024, calling the indictments “outrage.”

Republican Congressman Target Prosecutor

Republicans framed the arrest as a political indictment by a rogue Democratic District Attorney who they said was weaponizing the criminal justice system.

House Speaker Kevin McCarthy, California Republican, said the House “explains Alvin Bragg and his unprecedented abuse of power.”

Some of Trump’s most ardent supporters have come to his defense. Rep. Marjorie Taylor-Green of Georgia and former Arizona gubernatorial candidate Kari Lake of Arizona have been named as potential running mates for Trump, but he said he was innocent.

Biden, Democrats say little

Hours after the indictments came to light, Democrats fell silent, but some of the former president’s critics framed the incident as a long-delayed accountability.

President Joe Biden, who is planning to run for re-election next year, has not commented on the charges.

The Democratic National Committee declined to comment on the details of the incident, but tried to tie the entire Republican Party to Trump.

“It is clear that the Republican Party is in control of Donald Trump and the MAGA Republicans, regardless of the future proceedings of Mr. Trump,” Democratic National Committee spokeswoman Ammal Moussa said in a statement. rice field.

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (DN.Y.) said: Trump is subject to the same laws as all Americans. He will be able to use the legal system and juries rather than politics to decide his fate according to facts and law. ”

House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (DN.Y.) did not immediately comment, but some lesser-known members of Congress welcomed the news.

Rep. Harley Lowda of California said:

Rep. Raul Grijalva, who represents Arizona’s Safe District, said, “Finally, Donald Trump’s chickens are back in their roost today. But Rep. Ruben Gallego of Arizona, who is running for Senate. is more cautious and “should wait to hear from a grand jury before jumping to conclusions.”

___

Cooper reported from Phoenix.

Copyright 2023 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.

https://www.local10.com/news/politics/2023/03/31/trumps-indictment-in-new-york-heres-what-to-know/ Trump’s indictment in New York: Here’s what you need to know

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