Donald Trump indicted: What is the former president accused of? | US News
Donald Trump has been indicted by a grand jury in New York, making him the first ex-president to face criminal charges, and will appear in court today.
The case against him centres on an alleged $130,000 (£105,000) payment made to adult film star Stormy Daniels during the final days of the 2016 presidential campaign.
What is Trump accused of doing?
Ms Daniels, whose real name is Stephanie Clifford, claims she had an affair with Trump in 2006, which the former US president denies.
In 2016 when he was running for president, she offered to sell her story to the press.
Trump’s then-lawyer Michael Cohen was notified of her plans, resulting in a $130,000 (£105,000) payment being made to keep Ms Daniels quiet.
Once he was elected, Trump reimbursed Mr Cohen by paying him more than double the original amount. He continued to deny the affair, however.
Stormy Daniels claims she had an affair with Donald Trump
New York investigators have been looking into the former president’s finances for years – originally led by former District Attorney Cyrus R. Vance Jr.
But when he was replaced with Alvin Bragg in 2022, Mr Bragg decided to drop the grand jury investigation into claims the Trump empire fraudulently inflated its real estate value.
Instead, he decided to focus on the hush money case last summer, impanelling a grand jury (one assembled in secret to determine whether there’s enough evidence to prosecute) in January.
Soon after Mr Cohen, who was jailed on several counts in 2018, was summoned by prosecutors.
According to court documents, Trump falsely listed his former lawyer’s reimbursement as “legal services”.
What charges could Trump face?
It is not yet known what Trump will be charged with.
But among the options for prosecutors is an accounting fraud charge over the payment made to Mr Cohen.
They could also decide to indict him on campaign fraud charges – as silencing Ms Daniels’s claims could have helped propel him to power.
Trump has described the investigation as a politically motivated “witch hunt”.
Read more:
The key figures in the Trump hush money case
Media launch bid to allow cameras in court for Trump hearing
Stormy Daniels says indictment will cause ‘violence and death’
Trump’s ‘knees don’t buckle’ and he will not take plea deal, lawyer says
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Trump arraignment: What to expect
When will Trump appear in court?
Trump is scheduled to appear in court in Manhattan for his arraignment later today.
The 76-year-old is set to arrive at 6.30am local time (11.30am UK time).
The case is due to be heard at 2.15pm US time (7.15pm UK time) but it is thought it could take place earlier.
The former president is due to be back at his Mar-a-Lago estate in Palm Beach, Florida, at 8.15pm local time on Tuesday (1.15am UK time on Wednesday) where he will address the media.
His lawyers have said he will enter a plea of not guilty.
