Former US President: Grand jury votes to indict Trump

A grand jury in Manhattan voted to criminally indict former US President Trump. This was announced by his defense. Never before in US history has a former US President been criminally indicted.

A grand jury in Manhattan voted to criminally indict the former US President, according to Donald Trump’s defense.

Trump lawyer Susan Necheles confirmed the corresponding media reports in the evening. Joe Tacopina, another of Trump’s attorneys, also told the AP that he had been told the panel had decided on the first indictment of a former president in US history. The exact allegations were not initially known. It was investigated in connection with hush money payments to a porn actress against Trump.

The indictment, which has so far been kept under lock and key by the responsible public prosecutor’s office, will probably be published in the coming days, the “New York Times” reported, citing several people familiar with the case.

Trump attorney Tacopina said his mandate committed no crimes. “We will vigorously fight this political persecution in court.”

Trump speaks of political persecution

In a first statement, Trump himself also spoke of “political persecution and electoral interference”. He was the victim of a “witch hunt” by “the radical left-wing Democrats”. “Impeaching a perfectly innocent person is an act of blatant electoral interference,” Trump said.

His son Eric Trump also said on the online platform Truth Social that the indictment was aimed at a “political opponent in an election year”. Trump’s eldest son Donald Trump Jr. wrote on Truth Social that the government is taking action against its “political enemies”.

Democrat Adam Schiff called Trump’s indictment “unprecedented.” “But that also applies to the illegal behavior in which Trump was involved,” wrote the US lawmaker on Twitter. “The rich and powerful” must also be held accountable – even if they hold high office. Anything else is not democracy. Schiff led the prosecution team in Trump’s first impeachment trial. Trump regularly insults the Democrat.

Trump involved in hush money affair

A trial and a potential conviction that could see the Republican face several years in prison could politically jeopardize his plans to run for president again — in terms of support from his party and the Republican base. In purely legal terms, on the other hand, Trump could theoretically also stand as a convicted criminal in the 2024 presidential election, as legal experts emphasize.

Trump has denied any wrongdoing and the investigation is also publicn Statements attacked. Another source said he was expected to turn himself in to authorities in the coming week, according to the AP. This person wished to remain anonymous as the matter was still under wraps.

The grand jury has been investigating allegations of Trump hush money payments to porn actress Stormy Daniels and former Playmate Karen McDougal for months. According to their own statements, both had sexual encounters with Trump – which he denies. It is questionable, for example, whether the cash flows violated campaign finance laws.