This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-65136636

The article has changed 18 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 9 Version 10
Trump indictment: A simple guide to what it means Trump indictment: A simple guide to what it means
(about 1 hour later)
Former US President Donald Trump has been arrested and charged with 34 felony counts related to business fraud.Former US President Donald Trump has been arrested and charged with 34 felony counts related to business fraud.
The man who spent four years in the White House was brought before a judge on Tuesday and pleaded not guilty to all charges.The man who spent four years in the White House was brought before a judge on Tuesday and pleaded not guilty to all charges.
This is happening as he campaigns to become president again, in the 2024 election. The case comes as he campaigns to become president again, in the 2024 election.
Here is what the case is about. Here's what it's all about.
What is the latest news?What is the latest news?
On Tuesday, Mr Trump went to court, where he was arrested, and charged with 34 felony counts of fraud, which is believed to be related to a $130,000 (£105,000) payment made to buy the silence of Stormy Daniels, a porn star who claims she had an affair with the former president. He pleaded not guilty to all charges. On Tuesday, Mr Trump went to court, where he was arrested, and charged with 34 felony counts of fraud, related to multiple payoffs to two women, including a porn star, who said they had extra-marital sexual encounters with him.
The payment was made before the 76-year-old was president, just prior to the 2016 election which he won against Hillary Clinton. The indictment includes an allegation of hush money paid to a Trump Tower doorman who claimed to have a story about a child he alleged the former president fathered out of wedlock.
The Manhattan district attorney cited a $130,000 (£105,000) payment made to buy the silence of an adult film actress (Stormy Daniels).
The hush money was paid 12 days before the 2016 election that Mr Trump won against Hillary Clinton.
A jury in New York last week voted to indict Mr Trump, which means they believed there was enough evidence to bring criminal charges against him.A jury in New York last week voted to indict Mr Trump, which means they believed there was enough evidence to bring criminal charges against him.
What is a grand juryWhat is a grand jury
A new lawyer, Todd Blanche, joined Mr Trump's legal team ahead of his arraignment.A new lawyer, Todd Blanche, joined Mr Trump's legal team ahead of his arraignment.
The former president is expected to be released on bail by the court and will return to his Mar-a-Lago home on Tuesday evening before addressing supporters at 20:15 local time. The former president was released by the court and flew back to his Mar-a-Lago home where he will address supporters on Tuesday evening.
What is Trump accused of?What is Trump accused of?
Ms Daniels says she had an affair with Mr Trump in 2006, which he has always denied.Ms Daniels says she had an affair with Mr Trump in 2006, which he has always denied.
In 2016 she tried to sell her account of what happened to the media. Mr Trump's lawyer, Michael Cohen, paid her $130,000 to keep quiet. That kind of payment is called hush money. In 2016 she tried to sell her account of what happened to the media. Mr Trump's lawyer, Michael Cohen, paid her $130,000 to keep quiet.
That is not illegal but what has got Mr Trump into trouble is how Mr Cohen's reimbursement was recorded in his accounts. He is accused of falsifying his business records by saying the payment was for legal fees. Hush money is not illegal but what has got Mr Trump into trouble is how Mr Cohen's reimbursement was recorded in his accounts. Mr Trump is accused of falsifying his business records in the first degree by saying the payment was for legal fees.
As it happened just before Americans were due to vote, it may also violate laws about payments that help an election campaign. The district attorney alleged on Tuesday this was done "to conceal damaging information and unlawful activity from American voters before and after the 2016 election".
The investigation is also looking into a $150,000 pay-off made on Mr Trump's behalf by the National Enquirer tabloid to former Playboy model Karen McDougal to keep quiet about an alleged affair with him.
There will now be a trial where Mr Trump will make his case, but we don't know when that will be.There will now be a trial where Mr Trump will make his case, but we don't know when that will be.
The next in-person court hearing for Mr Trump was set for 4 December in New York.
He has denied any wrongdoing and says the charges are politically motivated.He has denied any wrongdoing and says the charges are politically motivated.
What happened between Stormy Daniels and Trump?What happened between Stormy Daniels and Trump?
Who is the prosecutor charging Trump?Who is the prosecutor charging Trump?
Is Trump going to jail if found guilty?Is Trump going to jail if found guilty?
The most likely outcome at the end of this legal process is a fine but there is also a chance he could be sent to prison. The most likely outcome at the end of this legal process is a fine, but there is also a chance he could be sent to prison.
If any of the charges are serious - what in the US is called a felony - then Mr Trump would face a maximum of four years in prison. Falsifying business records is usually prosecuted as a misdemeanour.
But legal experts tell the BBC that time behind bars is unlikely. But the charges against Mr Trump are all the lowest category of felony in New York, which carries a maximum prison sentence of four years per count.
Legal experts tell the BBC, however, that time behind bars is unlikely.
This is what will happen when Trump is arrestedThis is what will happen when Trump is arrested
Can Trump still run for president?Can Trump still run for president?
Yes, there's nothing in the US constitution to prevent Mr Trump from continuing his election campaign now he is being charged.Yes, there's nothing in the US constitution to prevent Mr Trump from continuing his election campaign now he is being charged.
Even if he was imprisoned, he could theoretically still run for president and win an election.Even if he was imprisoned, he could theoretically still run for president and win an election.
But there are practical considerations.But there are practical considerations.
A prolonged legal fight and a trial will be a major diversion from a presidential campaign - in time and energy, and the scheduling of election rallies.A prolonged legal fight and a trial will be a major diversion from a presidential campaign - in time and energy, and the scheduling of election rallies.
What this could mean for 2024 electionWhat this could mean for 2024 election
This is a blow to America's sense of selfThis is a blow to America's sense of self
Wasn't Trump investigated before?Wasn't Trump investigated before?
Yes. He faced two major inquiries by Congress when he was president, called impeachments, but was acquitted by the US Senate both times.Yes. He faced two major inquiries by Congress when he was president, called impeachments, but was acquitted by the US Senate both times.
Now he has left office he can no longer be impeached but instead can be indicted and faces a number of criminal investigations.Now he has left office he can no longer be impeached but instead can be indicted and faces a number of criminal investigations.
They are continuing and we will hear more about them in the months ahead.They are continuing and we will hear more about them in the months ahead.
How big are Trump's legal problems?How big are Trump's legal problems?
Related TopicsRelated Topics
Indictment of Donald TrumpIndictment of Donald Trump
Donald TrumpDonald Trump
United StatesUnited States