NEW YORK: Donald Trump, the former US president, has been indicted by a Manhattan grand jury after an investigation into
hush money paid to adult film actress, Stormy Daniels. This marks the first time a former president of the United States has faced criminal charges, and it comes as
Trump is seeking the Republican nomination for the 2024 presidential election. The charges were brought by Democratic Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg, and the specific charges are yet to be revealed. Bragg's office confirmed that it had contacted Trump's lawyers on Thursday evening to "coordinate his surrender" for arraignment in New York, where the felony charges against him will be revealed.
Trump has denied any wrongdoing in connection with the payments, which were made ahead of the election that brought him to the White House.
Trump has called the indictment "political persecution and election interference", while his supporters have denounced it as a vendetta aimed at derailing his 2024 campaign. He has appealed to supporters for funds to aid his legal defense. Trump's lawyers have pledged to vigorously fight the charges.
The investigation stems from payments made to Daniels in exchange for her silence about an alleged sexual encounter with Trump in 2006. Trump's former personal lawyer, Michael Cohen, has said he coordinated the payments on Trump's behalf. Cohen has already pleaded guilty to campaign-finance violations and served a prison sentence. Trump faces several other legal challenges, including two criminal investigations by a special counsel and one by a local prosecutor in Georgia.
The charges could hurt Trump's presidential comeback attempt, as he may have to appear in court and his opponents could use images from his courtroom appearances to their advantage.
A Reuters/Ipsos poll released last week found that 44% of Republicans said he should drop out of the race if he is indicted. Meanwhile, Trump's allies and fellow Republicans have criticized the indictment as politically motivated, while Democrats have emphasized the importance of the rule of law.
Protesters gathered outside the courthouse, holding signs critical of Trump. Security was heightened around the courthouse following Trump's call for nationwide protests on March 18, recalling his charged rhetoric ahead of the January 6, 2021, attack on the US Capitol.
Hush moneyDaniels, whose real name is Stephanie Clifford, has said she received money in exchange for keeping silent about a sexual encounter she had with Trump in 2006.
The former president's personal lawyer Michael Cohen has said he coordinated with Trump on the payments to Daniels and to a second woman, former Playboy model Karen McDougal, who also said she had a sexual relationship with him. Trump has denied having affairs with either woman.
"No one is above the law," Daniels' lawyer Clark Brewster said on Twitter.
Cohen pleaded guilty to a campaign-finance violation in 2018 and served more than a year in prison. Federal prosecutors said he acted at Trump's direction.
Cohen said he stood by his testimony and the evidence he provided to prosecutors. "Accountability matters," he said in a statement.