In a historic move, former US President Donald Trump has been indicted by a grand jury in New York for his involvement in the hush money payment made to adult film star Stormy Daniels during the 2016 election. This marks the first time a former US president has ever been criminally indicted, and it is expected to send shockwaves throughout the political landscape.
The indictment comes after an investigation into allegations that Trump directed Michael Cohen, his former personal lawyer, to pay $130,000 in hush money to Daniels in exchange for her silence about an affair she had with then-candidate Trump. The payment was made just weeks before the 2016 election.
Trump is expected to appear for his arraignment on Tuesday where he will be fingerprinted, photographed and processed for arrest. The news of his indictment is set to shake up the race for the Republican presidential nomination in 2024 as he currently leads most polls.
The grand jury's decision was met with mixed reactions from politicians and experts alike. Some view it as a long overdue step towards holding powerful individuals accountable while others argue that it sets a dangerous precedent of using criminal law against political opponents.
As per legal experts, this will be a high-profile case which might drag on for years given its complexity and potential ramifications. It remains unclear whether or not Trump will plead guilty or fight the charges at trial.
This news comes amidst ongoing investigations into other aspects of Trump’s presidency including possible obstruction of justice and financial improprieties. With these indictments looming overhead, it seems like there may yet be more legal battles ahead for America’s once-revered leader.