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Donald Trump is the first former president in US history to face criminal charges. The Manhattan district attorney’s office announced charges Thursday evening (local time) against the Republican, who is running for president again. The indictment is still under lock and key – the exact allegations and details are therefore still unclear. The case concerns hush money payments to a porn actress. Trump spoke of “political persecution and electoral interference”. Several Republicans also reacted indignantly and called the move outrageous.
Shortly before his election as president in 2016, Trump paid hush money to porn actress Stormy Daniels after she claimed to have had sex with him. Trump denies an affair, but not that money was flowing. The payment may violate campaign finance rules. The New York prosecutor’s office had been investigating the case for years and finally appointed a so-called grand jury, which now voted to indict Trump in the case. Various American media, including the television channel CNN, reported that there were more than 30 charges. Which remained open for now.
Will he turn himself in on Tuesday?
Initially only a few details came from the district attorney’s office. Trump’s lawyer was contacted to coordinate his transfer to New York for charges, the company said.
US media, citing Trump’s lawyers, reported that the ex-president is likely to face trial in New York next week, probably Tuesday. Initially there was no confirmation of this. The Manhattan district attorney’s office said more details would be shared once a date for the indictment reading was set.
There is a risk of several years in prison
A trial and possible conviction that could lead the Republican to several years in prison could only politically affect Trump’s plans to run for president again. In purely legal terms, Trump could also theoretically stand as a convicted criminal in the 2024 election, as legal experts point out. Trump had publicly announced his presidential bid several months ago.
The 76-year-old reacted indignantly to the accusation. “This is political persecution and electoral interference at the highest level in history,” the Republican said in a written statement. Trump accused Democrats of trying to harm him politically since his first presidential bid in the 2016 election and harassing him with various investigations during his tenure. Now they have “done the unthinkable — accuse a completely innocent person of blatant electoral interference,” Trump lamented. “That has never happened in the history of our country.” All of this will fall back on President Joe Biden and his Democrats. Trump spoke of an attack on the country.
McCarthy stands with Trump
The ex-president claimed a few days ago that he was about to be arrested in the case – and called on his supporters to protest. New York then prepared for possible demonstrations and increased security around the courthouse in midtown Manhattan. So far there have been no major protests. That could possibly follow.
Several Republicans expressed outrage at the allegations, seeing them as an attack on democracy. Many of them attacked New York lawyer Alvin Bragg. For example, Republican House Speaker Kevin McCarthy wrote on Twitter about Bragg, “While he routinely releases violent criminals to terrorize the public, he has instrumentalized our holy justice system against President Donald Trump.” McCarthy is considered an ally of Trump.
“This will only further divide the country”
But even former associates, who have since distanced themselves from Trump and are considered possible competitors in the party’s internal presidential race for the 2024 election, have criticized the approach. “When the justice system is used as a weapon to advance a political agenda, the rule of law is turned on its head,” Florida Governor Ron DeSantis wrote on Twitter. DeSantis is also expected to be a presidential candidate. Besides Trump, he is considered the most promising candidate from the ranks of the Republicans.
Trump’s former deputy, ex-Vice President Mike Pence, who also allegedly has ambitions for a presidential bid, also described the charges as a “scandal”. Pence told CNN, “This will only further divide this country.” (SDA)
Source: Blick
I am Amelia James, a passionate journalist with a deep-rooted interest in current affairs. I have more than five years of experience in the media industry, working both as an author and editor for 24 Instant News. My main focus lies in international news, particularly regional conflicts and political issues around the world.
