Former US President Donald Trump has been indicted by a Manhattan grand jury on charges of political persecution and election interference, marking the first time a sitting or former president has faced criminal charges. The indictment remains sealed, but is expected to relate to $130,000 in hush money payments made by Trump to adult film star Stormy Daniels through his then-lawyer Michael Cohen in the final days of the 2016 election campaign.
Trump reacted angrily to the news, accusing Democrats of lying, cheating and stealing in their obsession with trying to get him. He also ratcheted up his attacks on Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg, whom he accused of “doing Joe Biden’s dirty work” while failing to prosecute crime in New York.
Reactions to Trump's indictment have been mixed. Some Illinois members of Congress and Chicago mayoral candidates tweeted their support for the indictment while some Republican lawmakers criticized it. Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis refused involvement but repeated Trump's criticism that Bragg is "some Soros DA" who is trying to put on a "political spectacle."
The date for Trump's arrest remains up in the air as arrangements are being coordinated between Bragg's office and Trump's attorney for an arraignment at Supreme Court. During his booking process at Manhattan D.A.'s Office when he surrenders himself wearing a suit and tie surrounded by Secret Service agents likely including mugshot images taken along with fingerprints.
In response to news about his indictment, former President Donald Trump called it “political persecution” and accused Democrats weaponizing justice system against him as punishment for opposing them politically.
This latest development will undoubtedly affect politics ahead with several speculations that this could impact his bid for presidency again come 2024 Presidential Elections if found guilty during trial eventually which will change political landscape altogether if it happens so.