Extract from ABC News
Donald Trump has been indicted by a Manhattan grand jury after a probe into hush money paid to porn star Stormy Daniels, two sources said on Thursday, becoming the first former US president to face criminal charges, even as he makes another run for the White House.
Key points:
- No former or sitting US president has ever faced criminal charges
- Lawyers for Donald Trump uncertain of when his will surrender
- Indictment related to hush-money payments to adult film star Stormy Daniels ahead of the 2016 election
The charges — arising from an investigation led by Democratic Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg — could reshape the 2024 presidential race.
Mr Trump has previously said he would continue campaigning for the Republican Party's nomination if charged with a crime.
The specific charges are not yet known and the indictment will likely be announced in the coming days.
Mr Trump will have to travel to Manhattan for fingerprinting and other processing at that point.
Susan Necheles — a lawyer representing the former president — said she was informed of the indictment but did not know when Mr Trump would surrender.
A law enforcement source, speaking on condition of anonymity, also confirmed the indictment.
The Manhattan investigation is one of several legal challenges facing Mr Trump, and the charges could hurt his presidential comeback attempt.
Some 44 per cent of Republicans said Mr Trump should drop out of the race if he is indicted, according to recent polling.
The grand jury convened by Mr Bragg in January began hearing evidence about Mr Trump's role in the payment to Stormy Daniels in the days before the 2016 presidential election that he ended up winning.
Ms Daniels — a well-known adult film actress and director whose real name is Stephanie Clifford — has said she received the money in exchange for keeping silent about a sexual encounter she had with Trump in 2006.
The former president's personal lawyer, Michael Cohen, has said that Mr Trump directed hush payments to Ms Daniels and to a second woman, former Playboy model Karen McDougal, who also said she had a sexual relationship with him.
Mr Trump has denied having affairs with either woman.
Federal prosecutors examined the Daniels payoff in 2018, leading to a prison sentence for Cohen but no charges against Mr Trump.
No former or sitting US president has ever faced criminal charges.
Mr Trump also faces two criminal investigations by a special counsel appointed by US Attorney-General Merrick Garland and one by a local prosecutor in Georgia.
Reuters
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