Former US President Donald Trump said Saturday (18) he would be “arrested” within three days and called for protests amid possible charges of paying for a porn actress’ silence before the 2016 election.
“The main Republican candidate and former President of the United States of America will be arrested next Tuesday. Protest, take back our nation!”
If indicted by New York state court, Trump will become the first former US president to be charged with a crime and his ambitions to become the Republican presidential nominee in the 2024 election will be complicated.
Republican House Speaker Kevin McCarthy reacted angrily, accusing New York prosecutors of seeking “political revenge” against Trump and indicating he would push for a congressional investigation.
The investigation, led by Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg, an elected Democrat, focuses on a $130,000 payment made to a porn actress named Stormy Daniels two weeks before the 2016 presidential election, which Trump won.
The money was said to prevent Stormy, whose real name is Stephanie Clifford, from divulging a relationship she had with Trump a few years earlier.
On Friday, one of Trump’s attorneys, Joseph Tacopina, said his client will appear in a New York court if charged.
Trump has repeatedly denied having an affair with Daniels, claiming the investigation was politically motivated.
“Illegal Leaks”
In his post today on Truth Social, Trump referred to “illegal leaks from the Manhattan DA’s office, which he described as “corrupt and highly politicized”, outdated and completely discredited (by many other promoters!)”.
Hours later, Trump doubled down on a new post in all caps, calling his successor, Democrat Joe Biden, “corrupt” and encouraging his supporters to protest: “Protest, protest, protest!!!” he demanded.
Susan Necheles, Trump’s attorney, pointed out that the former president’s releases are based on press reports and not new actions by prosecutors.
“Because this is a political allegation, prosecutors are resorting to leaks to the press, rather than communicating with President Trump’s attorneys as they would in a normal case,” Necheles said in a statement sent to AFP was sent.
A grand jury in New York a special panel of impartial citizens that reviews evidence presented by prosecutors to decide whether indictments are warranted, has heard witnesses in the Trump case.
On Monday, the jury heard from former Trump attorney Michael Cohen, who made the payment to Daniels. Cohen was sentenced to three years in prison on federal wagerelated charges in 2018, but pleaded guilty, saying he was only following orders from the former president.
Daniels herself met with prosecutors Wednesday and “has agreed to be available as a witness or for further investigation if necessary,” according to her attorney, Charles Brewster.
Trump also received a summons to testify, which legal experts say is a sign impeachment is imminent.
A payment to Daniels, if not properly substantiated, could result in a lesser felony charge involving falsifying business records.
This could be considered a felony if the false accounting was used to cover up a second crime, such as a campaign finance breach, the New York Times reported.
Outlook for 2024
Trump faces multiple state and federal criminal investigations into possible wrongdoing before, during and after his tenure (20172021).
In Georgia, a prosecutor is investigating attempts by Trump and his allies to overturn the tycoon’s defeat in that southern state’s 2020 election.
The Republican is also the subject of a federal investigation into the management of classified documents and his possible involvement in the violent invasion of the Capitol, home of Congress, on January 6, 2021.
Some analysts believe an indictment does not bode well for Trump’s chances in 2024, while others speculate it could benefit him instead.
“Arrest secures Donald Trump’s nomination,” political strategist Rick Wilson tweeted, saying the Republican base will support him.
Billionaire Elon Musk, owner of electric carmaker Tesla and selfproclaimed libertarian aligned with Republican positions, went even further. “If that happens, Trump will be reelected in a landslide,” he wrote on Twitter.