Christopher Bertman
TimcastThu, 30 Mar 2023 00:01 UTC
Trump Will Be The First Former President To Be Indicted.A Manhattan grand jury voted to indict former president Donald Trump Thursday evening.
The grand jury's vote regards an alleged settlement made with adult film actress Stormy Daniels during the former president's 2016 campaign, according to five people with knowledge of the matter per the
New York Times. Trump and Daniels allegedly had a sexual encounter in 2006, according to the claim.
Trump is the first former president to face criminal charges after office.
While the specific charges are currently unknown, an indictment is expected to be announced as Trump will be asked to surrender and face arraignment.
A lawyer for the former president confirmed his indictment shortly after the initial announcement, the Associated Press reported.In a March 18 Truth Social post, Trump said he would be arrested on the 21st and called for people to protest and "
take our nation back."
He wrote:
NOW ILLEGAL LEAKS FROM A CORRUPT & HIGHLY POLITICAL MANHATTAN DISTRICT ATTORNEYS OFFICE, WHICH HAS ALLOWED NEW RECORDS TO BE SET IN VIOLENT CRIME & WHOSE LEADER IS FUNDED BY GEORGE SOROS, INDICATE THAT, WITH NO CRIME BEING ABLE TO BE PROVEN, & BASED ON AN OLD & FULLY DEBUNKED (BY NUMEROUS OTHER PROSECUTORS!) FAIRYTALE, THE FAR & AWAY LEADING REPUBLICAN CANDIDATE & FORMER PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, WILL BE ARRESTED ON TUESDAY OF NEXT WEEK. PROTEST, TAKE OUR NATION BACK!
New York district attorney Alvin Bragg previously delayed the grand jury's vote, informing them to be on
standby for Thursday.
Michael Cohen, the prosecution's star witness, reportedly paid Daniels $130,0000 during Trump's 2016 presidential campaign and was subsequently sentenced to three years in prison after pleading guilty to charges regarding the payment in 2018.Critics contest Trump and his associated organizations sought to cover up Daniels' payment and suggest Trump's company's internal records "falsely" identify the reimbursements as legal expenses.This is a developing story that will be updated as more information becomes available.
Comment: Trump responds, from
Timcast:
"This is Political Persecution and Election Interference at the highest level in history," the former president wrote in a statement. "From the time I came down the golden escalator at Trump Tower ... the Radical Left Democrats ... have been engaged in a Witch-Hunt to destroy the Make America Great Again movement."
Trump referenced previous efforts to indict him, including claims the former president had ties to Russia, two impeachment attempts, and last year's raid on Mar-a-Lago.
"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," Trump continued. "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."
"I believe this Witch-Hunt will backfire massively on Joe Biden," Trump concluded. "The American people realize exactly what the Radical Left Democrats are doing here. Everyone can see it."
Trump followed up his response in a Truth Social post:
These Thugs and Radical Left Monsters have just INDICATED the 45th President of the United States of America, and the leading Republican Candidate, by far, for the 2024 Nomination for President. THIS IS AN ATTACK ON OUR COUNTRY THE LIKES OF WHICH HAS NEVER BEEN SEEN BEFORE. IT IS LIKEWISE A CONTINUING ATTACK ON OUR ONCE FREE AND FAIR ELECTIONS. THE USA IS NOW A THIRD WORLD NATION, A NATION IN SERIOUS DECLINE. SO SAD!
"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," said a spokesperson for New York district attorney Alvin Bragg. "Guidance will be provided when the arraignment date is selected."
DeSantis says his state will not assist in an extradition request.
From Timcast:
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has responded to the news of former President Donald Trump's indictment, saying that it is a "weaponization of the legal system."
DeSantis also said that his state would not assist in an extradition request if one is made for the former president.
News of Trump's indictment by a New York grand jury broke on Thursday, despite previous reports that the grand jury hearing evidence was taking a month-long break.
"The weaponization of the legal system to advance a political agenda turns the rule of law on its head," DeSantis tweeted. "It is un-American."
DeSantis accused Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg of "stretching the law" to get the indictment.
"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."
DeSantis also said that his state will not assist with any potential extradition requests "given the questionable circumstances."
"Florida will not assist in an extradition request given the questionable circumstances at issue with this Soros-backed Manhattan prosecutor and his political agenda," DeSantis said.
George Soros, a far-left billionaire who tends to fund extremist candidates, pledged to donate at least a million dollars to Braggs' campaign through his Color of Change PAC. In their endorsement, the PAC noted that the now-District Attorney would not continue a justice system that "protects and privileges the powerful and well-connected."
Comment: Trump responds, from Timcast: DeSantis says his state will not assist in an extradition request. From Timcast: