Trump Fears Indictment in NYC for Hush Money Payments

By Deana D. Boles CNN

On Saturday, former President Donald Trump announced over social media that he expects to be arrested on Tuesday, March 21, as a result of the ongoing bribery scheme involving adult film star Stormy Daniels.

The years-long investigation, which started shortly before his 2016 presidential election, has involved hush money payments which are also being considered as an abuse of power.

Referring to himself, Trump took to his social media platform, Truth Social, to announce, “leading Republican candidate and former president of the United States will be arrested on Tuesday of next week.” He did not mention why an arrest is expected, and his team has announced that there have been no notifications from prosecutors regarding an arrest. “Protest, take our nation back,” the former president declared.

Trump, who is vying for re-election in 2024, believes that this ordeal will rile up his fan base and help his campaign. Trump is no stranger to civil litigation, both before and after taking office in 2016. However, if he is charged, his legal hardships will reach an intensified apex point, as he seeks to reclaim the highest office. Historically, this would also mark the first time a former president would be indicted.

Denying any wrongdoing, Trump argues that New York’s District Attorney, Alvin Bragg, is leading a politically driven prosecution against him. Bragg, who organized the grand jury to investigate whether they had enough evidence against Trump, holds the decision to move forward with charges. If he moves ahead, negotiations will occur on how and when

Trump will appear in New York City. Due to security risks, extra precautions would be put into play. Trump’s lawyers have made clear that he is willing to cooperate fully with authorities— therefore, no warrant will be issued.

For the time being, Trump has remained at home in Mar-a-Lago.

Bragg has not openly explained his strategy, as far as administering charges against charges, but the hush payments are being expected to be looked at as falsifying business records and violating campaign law.

Before his 2016 election, Michael Cohen, Trump’s former lawyer, granted Stormy Daniels $130,000 to prevent her from publicly announcing she had sexual relations with Trump. In 2018, Cohen pleaded guilty to concealing income from the Internal Revenue Service in regard to $280,000 in payments to silence two women who also claim to have been sexually involved with Trump. Cohen, who served prison time, and Stormy Daniels have since appeared before the grand jury.

Trump has continued to state his innocence.

“I did nothing wrong. I never had an affair with Stormy Daniels, nor would I have wanted to have an affair with Stormy Daniels,” Trump stated on Truth Social. “I relied on counsel in order to resolve this extortion of me.”

In the end, Tuesday came and went, and no authorities arrived to take Trump away. It is unlikely that Trump will face any jail time for this alleged crime; however, if found guilty, a fine will have to be paid.

In the meantime, New York City and Washington D.C. are preparing for potential protests due to online threats of violence.