Former US President Donald Trump has been indicted on charges of political persecution and election interference at the highest level in history. The indictment was made by a Manhattan grand jury over hush money payments to adult film star Stormy Daniels.
Trump responded angrily to the news, accusing the Democrats of lying, cheating, and stealing in their obsession with trying to get him. He also accused Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg of "doing Joe Biden's dirty work" while failing to prosecute crime in New York.
Reactions to Trump's indictment have been mixed, with some calling it cynical while others find it sublime. Trump and his top advisers were caught off guard by the news. The charges remain sealed, but are expected to touch on $130,000 that Trump made to Daniels through his then-lawyer Michael Cohen in the final days of the 2016 elections campaign.
During his arraignment process, Trump will likely undergo a typical booking process that includes a mugshot and fingerprints when he is arraigned. He will likely be escorted into Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg's office wearing a suit and tie while surrounded by Secret Service agents.
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (R-FL), who is largely considered to be in the running to challenge Trump in the GOP presidential primary previously said they would not get involved despite repeating allegations that Bragg is "some Soros DA" who is trying put on a "political spectacle."
Illinois members of Congress and both Chicago mayoral candidates have reacted differently towards this news with some criticizing or supporting this indictment.
In response to news of his indictment, former president Donald Trump called it "Political Persecution and Election Interference at the highest level in history" accusing Democrats of weaponizing our justice system against him as their political opponent."