A look at the Trump indictment situation
Images: Lorenzo Bevilaqua/Getty
A Manhattan grand jury hearing evidence about former President Donald Trump's role in a payment made to an adult film star is close to finishing up its work, per multiple reports. The news indicates that NY prosecutors could soon call for a vote on whether to indict the former US president â which, if approved, would represent the first such occurrence in history.
But, but, but: law-enforcement officials have been tight-lipped about any news from the grand jury, whose proceedings are held in private, meaning it isnât guaranteed that Trump will actually be criminally charged.
Hereâs what we do know so far:
- The Manhattan District Attorney's office has spent nearly five years investigating a $130,000 payment made to adult film star Stormy Daniels, which happened during the final days of the 2016 presidential campaign.
- Trumpâs former lawyer Michael Cohen previously alleged that he personally paid Daniels in exchange for her silence about an affair with Trump.
- Another former Trump lawyer, Rudy Guiliani, later confirmed that Cohen was reimbursed by Trumpâs 2016 campaign.
- Trump has denied the affair and accused Daniels of extortion.
- Trumpâs lawyer has said the former president would surrender peacefully if charged with a crime.
đ Looking ahead⊠If the NY grand jury does vote to indict Trump, it wouldnât be made public until after prosecutors negotiate a time and date for his surrender, then formally arrest him. If that happens, his trial will most likely play out around the same time as the 2024 presidential election.
đ Flash poll (long-form): In your opinion, how would Trump being indicted and arrested affect the 2024 election?
See a 360° view of what media pundits are saying â
Sprinkles from the Left
- Some commentators argue that should Trump become indicted, it would present a tricky situation for congressional Republicans, since they would either have to excuse Trumpâs potentially criminal behavior or face the wrath of their base.
- Others contend that the Manhattan DAâs prosecution of Trump has been carried out by the book so far, and any accusations that the investigation has been politically motivated are plainly false.
- âA Trump Indictment Would Put Republicans in a Bindâ âJonathan Bernstein, Bloomberg
- âMake No Mistake, the Investigation of Donald Trump and the Stormy Daniels Scheme Is Seriousâ âRyan Goodman and Andrew Weissmann, NY Times
- ââAn indictment would help Trump!â is wholly prematureâ âJennifer Rubin, WaPo
Sprinkles from the Right
- Some commentators argue that the Manhattan DA is making a huge mistake by resurrecting a seven-year-old case that even federal prosecutors refused to bring to court.
- Others contend that while Trump shouldnât be completely immune from prosecution, criminal charges shouldnât be filed against a former president unless theyâre serious enough to be treated as a felony if it were committed by anyone else.
- âAlvin Braggâs Political Charge Against Donald Trumpâ âWSJ Editorial Board
- âProgressive Democrat Braggâs Motivation in Nakedly Political Indictment of Trumpâ âAndrew C. McCarthy, National Review
- âEverybody should stop pre-judging a Trump indictment that hasnât happened yetâ âQuin Hillyer, Washington Examiner
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