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Donald Trump indictment: Ex-US president to be charged over hush money Donald Trump indictment: Ex-US president to be charged over hush money
(32 minutes later)
Former US President Donald Trump will be charged over hush money payments made to a porn star just before the 2016 presidential election.Former US President Donald Trump will be charged over hush money payments made to a porn star just before the 2016 presidential election.
The details of the charges he will face have not yet been released.The details of the charges he will face have not yet been released.
A grand jury voted to indict him on criminal charges, after investigating a $130,000 pay-out to Stormy Daniels in an attempt to buy her silence over an alleged affair. He denies wrongdoing. A grand jury has voted to indict him after investigating a $130,000 pay-out to Stormy Daniels in an attempt to buy her silence over an alleged affair. He denies wrongdoing.
Mr Trump, 76, is the first serving or former US president to face charges.Mr Trump, 76, is the first serving or former US president to face charges.
His lawyer, Susan Necheles, confirmed the indictment in a statement on Thursday evening. The office of Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg, who has been pursuing the investigation, confirmed the indictment.
"He did not commit any crime," she said. "We will vigorously fight this political prosecution in court." "This evening we contacted Mr Trump's attorney to co-ordinate his surrender to the Manhattan DA's Office for arraignment on a Supreme Court indictment, which remains under seal," said the statement.
The ex-president lives in Florida and is expected to travel to New York City for his formal arrest and first hearing in court.The ex-president lives in Florida and is expected to travel to New York City for his formal arrest and first hearing in court.
According to his defence team, Mr Trump will surrender next week. The United States Secret Service - which is tasked with protecting serving and former US presidents - will be in charge of security for the court appearance.According to his defence team, Mr Trump will surrender next week. The United States Secret Service - which is tasked with protecting serving and former US presidents - will be in charge of security for the court appearance.
This is what will happen when Trump is arrestedThis is what will happen when Trump is arrested
What happened between Stormy Daniels and Trump?What happened between Stormy Daniels and Trump?
Watch: The Trump arrest saga in 70 secondsWatch: The Trump arrest saga in 70 seconds
Watch: The Trump arrest saga in 70 secondsWatch: The Trump arrest saga in 70 seconds
Mr Trump faces the prospect of having his fingerprints recorded and his mugshot taken, like all defendants in criminal cases.Mr Trump faces the prospect of having his fingerprints recorded and his mugshot taken, like all defendants in criminal cases.
In a statement, Mr Trump lashed out at Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg, who has been pursuing the case. He called the prosecutor a "disgrace", and accused him of "doing Joe Biden's dirty work". In a statement, Mr Trump lashed out at the Manhattan district attorney. He called the prosecutor a "disgrace", and accused him of "doing Joe Biden's dirty work".
"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," he said."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," he said.
Mr Trump has repeatedly slammed the investigation in his hometown of New York as a political "witch hunt" led by his opponents. Mr Bragg is a registered Democrat.Mr Trump has repeatedly slammed the investigation in his hometown of New York as a political "witch hunt" led by his opponents. Mr Bragg is a registered Democrat.
The district attorney has denied pursuing a political vendetta against Mr Trump, tweeting this month: "We evaluate cases in our jurisdiction based on the facts, the law, and the evidence."
Mr Trump's lawyer, Susan Necheles, said in a statement: "He did not commit any crime. We will vigorously fight this political prosecution in court."
The inquiry stems from an allegation that Mr Trump directed his then-lawyer Michael Cohen to pay Stormy Daniels, a former porn actress and stripper, less than two weeks before the 2016 presidential election to prevent her speaking out about an alleged affair with Mr Trump.The inquiry stems from an allegation that Mr Trump directed his then-lawyer Michael Cohen to pay Stormy Daniels, a former porn actress and stripper, less than two weeks before the 2016 presidential election to prevent her speaking out about an alleged affair with Mr Trump.
Ms Daniels has said she had a sexual encounter with Mr Trump at a Lake Tahoe hotel in 2006 - the year after he married his current wife, Melania.Ms Daniels has said she had a sexual encounter with Mr Trump at a Lake Tahoe hotel in 2006 - the year after he married his current wife, Melania.
Cohen has said in court that he made the $130,000 settlement "in co-ordination with and at the direction of" the former president. Cohen was jailed from 2018-20 on multiple charges.Cohen has said in court that he made the $130,000 settlement "in co-ordination with and at the direction of" the former president. Cohen was jailed from 2018-20 on multiple charges.
Mr Trump is currently the front-runner among all declared and potential contenders for the Republican White House nomination.Mr Trump is currently the front-runner among all declared and potential contenders for the Republican White House nomination.
But there is nothing in US law that prevents a candidate who is found guilty of a crime from campaigning for, and serving as, president - even from prison.But there is nothing in US law that prevents a candidate who is found guilty of a crime from campaigning for, and serving as, president - even from prison.
His campaign sent out fundraising emails on Thursday evening, citing the indictment.
Some Congressional Republicans are rallying behind Mr Trump.
House of Representatives Speaker Kevin McCarthy said: "Alvin Bragg has irreparably damaged our country in an attempt to interfere in our Presidential election.
"As he routinely frees violent criminals to terrorize the public, he weaponized our sacred system of justice against President Donald Trump."
But Democrats welcomed the indictment, arguing it showed no-one was above the law.
Congressman Adam Schiff said: "The indictment and arrest of a former president is unique throughout all of American history.
"But so too is the unlawful conduct for which Trump has been charged."
Mr Trump is also being investigated in several other cases.Mr Trump is also being investigated in several other cases.
The other investigations include probes into his role in the US Capitol riot of January 2021, his efforts to overturn his loss in the state of Georgia in the 2020 election, and his handling of classified documents after leaving office.The other investigations include probes into his role in the US Capitol riot of January 2021, his efforts to overturn his loss in the state of Georgia in the 2020 election, and his handling of classified documents after leaving office.
Mr Trump - who served as president from 2017-21 - was twice impeached by the House of Representatives. He was acquitted by the Senate both times.Mr Trump - who served as president from 2017-21 - was twice impeached by the House of Representatives. He was acquitted by the Senate both times.
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