Reported by Kerry Howard Mwesigwa
The former President of the United States of America (USA) Donald Trump has been formally indicted by a Manhattan grand jury. The indictment by a grand jury in Manhattan, New York, comes after a years-long investigation into a payment made by Trump’s lawyer to porn star Stormy Daniels ahead of the 2016 presidential election.
This is the first-ever criminal indictment of a former American president. The news is expected to shake the race for the Republican presidential nomination in 2024, in which Trump leads most polls.
Trump’s lawyer Necheles said that he was expected to appear in court for his arraignment on Tuesday. At that point, he would enter a plea on the charges. New York’s police have been told to all report for duty on Friday and be prepared to deal with “unusual disorder”.
Trump, who is reportedly facing up to 30 counts of business fraud, attacked Bragg, and Democrats in a statement released shortly after the news broke, claiming the indictment amounted to “political persecution”. “I believe this witch hunt will backfire massively on Joe Biden,” Trump said. “Our movement, and our party – united and strong – will first defeat Alvin Bragg, and then we will defeat Joe Biden.
Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg’s office confirmed the indictment in a statement on Thursday and said it had reached out to Trump’s attorney to arrange his surrender. The specific charge or charges have not yet been made public and the indictment remains under seal. Bragg’s office said more guidance would be provided “when the arraignment date is selected.
