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We haven’t seen indictment, says Trump lawyer We haven’t seen indictment, says Trump lawyer
(30 minutes later)
Donald Trump's lawyer has said the ex-president's legal team has not seen the indictment against him and has only media reports to go on.Donald Trump's lawyer has said the ex-president's legal team has not seen the indictment against him and has only media reports to go on.
Joe Tacopina was speaking after a grand jury voted to indict Mr Trump in connection with a $130,000 pay-out to porn star Stormy Daniels.Joe Tacopina was speaking after a grand jury voted to indict Mr Trump in connection with a $130,000 pay-out to porn star Stormy Daniels.
Mr Trump's legal team did not know about the indictment until Thursday evening, Mr Tacopina told CBS.Mr Trump's legal team did not know about the indictment until Thursday evening, Mr Tacopina told CBS.
He blamed "political persecution" for the grand jury's decision.He blamed "political persecution" for the grand jury's decision.
Mr Trump is expected to appear in court to face the charges and enter a plea in New York, reportedly next Tuesday.Mr Trump is expected to appear in court to face the charges and enter a plea in New York, reportedly next Tuesday.
He will not be put in handcuffs when he does, Mr Tacopina told ABC News.He will not be put in handcuffs when he does, Mr Tacopina told ABC News.
He added: "I understand they're going to be closing off blocks around the courthouse, shutting down the courthouse."He added: "I understand they're going to be closing off blocks around the courthouse, shutting down the courthouse."
On Friday morning, the streets around the courthouse were calm but the barricades were going up in anticipation of what may come next week.On Friday morning, the streets around the courthouse were calm but the barricades were going up in anticipation of what may come next week.
The police were on patrol and security plans being put into place. Many expect the area to go into lockdown when the former president attends court.The police were on patrol and security plans being put into place. Many expect the area to go into lockdown when the former president attends court.
Follow latest updatesFollow latest updates
What Trump indictment means - a simple guideWhat Trump indictment means - a simple guide
Mr Trump, 76, denies wrongdoing. He is the first serving or former US president to face a criminal charge.Mr Trump, 76, denies wrongdoing. He is the first serving or former US president to face a criminal charge.
It is unclear how many charges are contained in the indictment, which is still sealed. Media reports have said the ex-president faces more than 30 counts related to business fraud and Mr Tacopina said on Thursday he thought there would be 34. But on Friday he said he did not know how many.
"We know what the subject matter is, We know the basis of the charges. We don't know the exact counts or how they're formulated," he said.
Watch: Trump's 'perp walk' moment explained in 60 secondsWatch: Trump's 'perp walk' moment explained in 60 seconds
Watch: Trump's 'perp walk' moment explained in 60 secondsWatch: Trump's 'perp walk' moment explained in 60 seconds
In 2016, adult film star Stormy Daniels contacted media outlets offering to sell her account of what she said was an adulterous affair she had with Mr Trump in 2006 - the year after he married his current wife, Melania.In 2016, adult film star Stormy Daniels contacted media outlets offering to sell her account of what she said was an adulterous affair she had with Mr Trump in 2006 - the year after he married his current wife, Melania.
Mr Trump's team got wind of this and his lawyer, Michael Cohen, paid $130,000 to Ms Daniels to keep quiet. This is not illegal.Mr Trump's team got wind of this and his lawyer, Michael Cohen, paid $130,000 to Ms Daniels to keep quiet. This is not illegal.
However, when Mr Trump reimbursed Mr Cohen, the record for the payment says it was for legal fees. Prosecutors say this amounts to Mr Trump falsifying business records, which is a misdemeanour - a criminal offence - in New York.However, when Mr Trump reimbursed Mr Cohen, the record for the payment says it was for legal fees. Prosecutors say this amounts to Mr Trump falsifying business records, which is a misdemeanour - a criminal offence - in New York.
A Secret Service agent guards Mr Trump's Florida homeA Secret Service agent guards Mr Trump's Florida home
President Joe Biden declined to comment on the indictment, despite being pressed on the issue by journalists as he left the White House on a trip to Mississippi.President Joe Biden declined to comment on the indictment, despite being pressed on the issue by journalists as he left the White House on a trip to Mississippi.
Mr Tacopina said Mr Trump was being "pursued by a prosecutor who has obviously very diverse political views from the president. So it's a very troubling case."Mr Tacopina said Mr Trump was being "pursued by a prosecutor who has obviously very diverse political views from the president. So it's a very troubling case."
We knew Trump charges were coming - it's still explosiveWe knew Trump charges were coming - it's still explosive
This is what will happen when Trump is arrestedThis is what will happen when Trump is arrested
He said the former president was "not worried at all" about the charges.He said the former president was "not worried at all" about the charges.
"He's upset, angry. He's being persecuted politically. That is clear to many people, not only on the Right but on the Left.""He's upset, angry. He's being persecuted politically. That is clear to many people, not only on the Right but on the Left."
Related TopicsRelated Topics
Stormy DanielsStormy Daniels
Donald TrumpDonald Trump
US politicsUS politics