The arrest of a former president who is also a candidate for the 2024 White House is unprecedented in American history.
In his usual bombastic style, Trump denounced a “corrupt” judicial system and called on his supporters to take action.
The 76-year-old billionaire recently said on the Truth Social platform that “Republican Party frontrunner and ex-President of the United States will be arrested,” adding, “Protest and take back our country!”
Here’s what you should know:
What is the AV actress incident?
The current investigation, led by Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg, is aimed at stopping the porn star, centered around $130,000 paid out weeks before the 2016 vote. Stormy Daniels From going public about an affair she says she had with Trump years ago.
Trump has denied having an affair with Daniels, said his real name was Stephanie Clifford, and dismissed the investigation as politically motivated.
On March 13, a New York court heard from former Trump attorney Michael Cohen, who paid Daniels. rice field. He pleaded guilty but said he was carrying out Trump’s orders.
According to his attorney, Charles Brewster, Daniels himself met with prosecutors on March 15 and “agreed to act as a witness or to conduct further investigations if necessary.”
Mr Trump has been asked to testify, which legal experts say suggests an indictment is imminent.
What are the charges against Trump?
Payments to Daniels, if not properly accounted for, could lead to misdemeanor charges for falsification of business records. If the false accounting was intended to cover up his second crime, such as a campaign finance violation, he could face felony charges.
Trump’s lawyers said his client would face criminal charges if indicted.
What could happen next week?
In the short term, if indicted, Trump would have to go to the district attorney’s office in downtown New York and surrender. For white-collar cases, the defendant’s attorney and prosecutor usually agree on a date and time rather than arresting the defendant at home.
Trump will be fingerprinted and photographed and will appear in court for arraignment. Experts say he is likely to be released on his own accord and allowed to return home.
Trump’s attorney, Joe Tacopina, said Trump would surrender if indicted.
If Trump voluntarily refuses to appear, prosecutors could seek extradition from his current residence in Florida.
When will Trump be arrested?
Trump said he expects to be “arrested” on March 21 as prosecutors show signs of getting closer to indictment.
But Trump’s attorney, Susan Necheres, said his post on Saturday was based on media reports and not on new actions taken by prosecutors.
Officials are reportedly planning to increase security around the Manhattan courthouse in the coming days.
Will Trump Really Be Arrested?
While a sitting president is not subject to criminal prosecution, Trump is subject to the rule of law like anyone else since he was ousted from the White House during the 2020 election.
However, the ex-president has unusual security protocols, and the terms of his arrest must be coordinated with the Secret Service.
This is uncharted territory for all institutions involved. Even US President Richard Nixon was pardoned before facing the criminal justice system for his involvement in the Watergate scandal.
The average criminal case in New York takes over a year from indictment to trial, making Trump’s case atypical.
Legal experts say the former US president’s trial is still over a year away and could coincide with the final months of the 2024 presidential election as Trump seeks a return to the White House. I have.
What was Trump’s reaction?
Trump appeared to confirm rumors of his impending arrest in a series of posts on his Truth Social account on Saturday.
Using all caps for emphasis, Trump began with an apocalyptic tone, denouncing the “death” of the American dream. The Fall of the “Radical Left Anarchists”. And the injustice that “patriots are arrested and confined like animals.”
He continued: “Now illegal leaks from the corrupt and highly political Manhattan District Attorney’s Office show that the far leading candidate for the Republican Party, the former president of the United States, will be arrested next Tuesday.”
Trump called on his supporters to take to the streets. It’s time! ! ! We have to save America! Protest, protest, protest!!!”
‘I’m back!’: Donald Trump returns to Facebook and YouTube after two-year ban
The call for a new wave of unrest, and the disturbing echoes of Jan. 6, came when Trump recently restored access to his mainstream social media accounts, including his YouTube account on March 17. increase.
How will the arrest affect Trump’s White House dream?
Some observers believe the indictment bodes badly for Trump’s 2024 chances, while others say it could be a big boost.
“Arrest secures Donald Trump’s nomination,” tweeted Rick Wilson, a political strategist who quit the Republican Party in protest of Trump. “The base will rally politically and possibly physically.”
Elon Musk, the self-proclaimed libertarian, increasingly Republican sympathizer and tech billionaire who overturned Trump’s Twitter ban, went even further.
Musk tweeted, “If this happens, Trump will win re-election in a landslide.
Even a conviction in the hush-money case wouldn’t deter Trump from running, but an indictment could have big consequences that would not only inspire his critics, but his supporters. .
What was the reaction of the Democrats?
Former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi called Mr Trump’s announcement “reckless” and said it would “increase unrest among his supporters”.
“Whatever the grand jury decides, the grand jury’s observations are clear: no one is above the law, not even the former president of the United States.”
When Trump was impeached for inciting riots at the U.S. Capitol on January 6, 2021, Pelosi, who was still chairing the House of Representatives, said, “He was accused of breaking the law, disrespecting our election, and inciting violence.” You can’t hide yourself,” he added.
How did Republicans react?
Republican House Speaker Kevin McCarthy was outraged, accusing New York prosecutors of pursuing “political retaliation” against Trump.
McCarthy pledged on Twitter to launch a congressional investigation into the matter, saying the impending arrest was “an exorbitant abuse of power by radical DAs who neglect violent criminals in their pursuit of political vengeance against President Trump.” ‘ said.
Mike Pence, who recently said Trump endangered the former vice president’s family on Jan. 6, chose to echo party policy, criticizing the Manhattan District Attorney and questioning his motives. bottom.
Rudy Giuliani of Truth Social claimed: They have destroyed America’s fair and equal justice system. ”
Rep. Andy Biggs of Arizona played a dubious discourse about the truth, writing: Think about it. We have a two-tier judicial system. ”
Also on Truth Social, Rep. Ronnie Jackson of Texas (a former Trump White House physician) is a “Soros-owned” who will engage in “revenge against conservatives” before appearing to support removing President Biden from office. I strongly criticized DA. “The nation is crumbling. We need to put Trump back in charge now!”
What other legal issues does Trump face?
Trump faces several criminal investigations at the state and federal levels for misconduct that could threaten his new run for the White House.
In Georgia, prosecutors are investigating efforts by Trump and his supporters to reverse his 2020 presidential election loss in a southern state. A grand jury in the case recommended multiple indictments, a foreman said last month.
The former president is also under federal investigation for his handling of classified documents and possible involvement in the Jan. 6 riots.
(with input from institutions)
clock Former US President Donald Trump says he will be arrested next week
