Former President Donald Trump has been indicted over a hush money settlement and is the first ex-president to be charged with a crime. The indictment against the former U.S. president appears to provide the simplest set of allegations against Trump out of a handful of inquiries into potential wrongdoing. However, legal experts say that his indictment could affect other investigations he faces and even lead prosecutors to bring more charges against him for January 6 and his efforts to overturn the election.
The Justice Department is already facing pressure to prosecute the former president after the House committee investigating the January 6 attack on Capitol Hill recommended four charges be brought against Trump. Additionally, Georgia probe authorities are looking into whether or not he tried to interfere in Georgia's 2020 presidential election.
An acquittal could actually benefit Trump in his other investigations as more grand juries solidify charges against him look less politically motivated. Critics have decryed this case as politically motivated, accusing Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg of focusing too much attention on payments made before the 2016 election by Trump himself.
While potential New York charges are relatively mundane compared with some other allegations levied at him, experts said it is still important that they are prosecuted; Republicans have blasted Bragg's litigious history with Trump and called this case politically motivated.
Justice Department special counsel Jack Smith has also launched an investigation into alleged wrongdoings by Donald J. Trump during his presidency: specifically reviewing classified documents found at his Florida estate which may implicate further criminal activity beyond what we know today.
NYPD police officials have ordered all officers (36k+) throughout New York City stay ready ahead of next week’s high-profile court appearance by former President Donald J. Trump; protests from both sides expected outside courthouse complex where Mr.Trump will appear Tuesday morning for arraignment proceedings related primarily to a $130,000 hush money payment Trump gave to a porn star before his successful 2016 election campaign.
Outside Mr.Trump’s eponymous skyscraper on Fifth Avenue, protesters have already taken position with signs and banners that read “Arrest Trump” and “Tick Tock, Times Up!”. A man in a Donald J. Trump costume made an appearance taking pictures with some of the former president's supporters.
The next chapter in his legal travails will come Tuesday when the court reveals actual charges pending against him. Legal experts warn that more charges could follow based on what is revealed at this hearing.