For the first time in U.S. history, a former president stands as a defendant in a criminal case. A Manhattan grand jury voted to indict Donald Trump on alleged financial improprieties related to the Trump Organization.
Before the indictment was announced, the grand jury heard about half an hour of testimony from a witness whose identity remains confidential because grand jury proceedings are closed to the public, as reported by CNN.
The New York Times notes that the exact charges have not yet been released. The indictment reportedly comprises more than 30 separate counts and is expected to be read in court on April 4. Prosecutors have asked Trump to present himself in court to answer the charges.
Trump is anticipated to surrender to authorities voluntarily, with fingerprints and facial photographs expected to be taken as part of the booking process.
Earlier, The Guardian reported that Trump had expressed a desire to appear in court in handcuffs, saying he wanted to turn the trial into a dramatic demonstration.
Case
The criminal case centers on possible forgery of financial documents by the Trump Organization in connection with payments to Stormy Daniels, a pornographic actress who has claimed an affair with Trump in the past.
Investigators say Trump’s longtime fixer, Michael Cohen, arranged a payment of $130,000 in 2006 to keep Daniels quiet during the 2016 campaign, and that the Trump Organization later covered those expenses. Prosecutors say the chapter involved in this payment could amount to fraud depending on the intent and how the documents were used in the process.
Under U.S. law, forgery of commercial documents can carry varying consequences depending on the circumstances, and a finding that the fraud was intended to conceal another crime could lead to a more serious penalty, potentially up to several years in prison.
In another episode reported by CNN, Cohen admitted to paying $150,000 to Karen McDougal, a former playmate, to suppress disclosure of a relationship with Trump during the 2016 cycle. Trump denies that this relationship existed. The Kommersant author notes that many view this case as highly intricate and personally charged, while Attorney Alvin Bragg, a Democrat, has framed the case as part of a broader campaign promise to confront what he calls legal and political abuses. Critics from Bragg’s rivals attribute political motives to the indictment and accuse him of leveraging the case to influence Republican messaging.
Trump and his supporters
Trump publicly dismissed the charges as unfounded and politically motivated, calling the indictment a severe attack on the political process and the integrity of elections in the United States. He described the United States as a country in decline and accused the jurists of aiming to undermine his campaign and the electoral system itself.
Trump asserted that supporters should rally behind him, framing the indictment as an unprecedented assault on the nation. He argued that scrutiny of his actions was part of a broader political struggle and urged allies on Capitol Hill to stand with him ahead of the 2024 race.
House Republican leaders publicly criticized the prosecutor and warned of potential political repercussions for those who pursue the case aggressively. They argued that the investigation has created a sense of upheaval and questioned the fairness of the prosecutorial process while insisting that accountability be applied evenly under the law.
New York Times sources described the prosecutorial atmosphere in the weeks leading up to the indictment as chaotic and noisy, with protests and high public attention gradually easing as the situation evolved. Still, Trump’s team continued to seek support from Republican lawmakers who sit on committees examining actions by the New York County District Attorney’s Office and the broader legal process involved in the case.
In a historical moment that drew wide attention, a 2021 rally at the U.S. Capitol that escalated into violence reverberated through political discourse as Trump critics argued the episode underscored the seriousness of the political divide and the stakes of the ongoing legal proceedings.
Trump, Daniels, and the American reaction
Trump indicated that he would not bow out of the presidential race if charged and signaled plans to appeal the indictment. Stormy Daniels’s attorney, Clark Brewster, weighed in, noting that while the case involves serious questions of legality and accountability, the jury should be respected for its role in upholding the rule of law. Brewster added that his client understands the gravity of the situation and stands by her legal rights.
Brewster also referenced the broader public discussion around the case, acknowledging the considerable media attention and the intense feelings it has provoked. The attorney indicated that Daniels would cooperate with authorities as needed and that the legal process should proceed fairly and without prejudice.
A Quinnipiac University poll suggested that a majority of Americans believe the indictment could impact Trump’s prospects in the 2024 race, though opinions varied on the degree to which the case should influence voters. A substantial portion of respondents viewed the proceedings as politically charged, reflecting the depth of public interest and debate surrounding the matter.