Former US President Donald Trump is calling on his supporters to protest as he faces possible arrest next Tuesday. Trump made the call on his social media platform, Truth Social, on Saturday. He claims that he is being investigated over hush money payments to porn actress Stormy Daniels by the Manhattan Attorney’s Office, which he has described as corrupt and highly political.
The Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg is investigating Trump over allegations that he paid $130,000 in hush money to Daniels to prevent her from speaking out about their alleged affair in 2006. Trump has repeatedly denied the affair. Bragg has been presenting evidence to a grand jury in support of the payment, and Trump’s attorney Susan Necheles has confirmed that the former President has been asked to testify before the grand jury.
Legal experts say that this is a sign that an indictment may be imminent. If indicted, Trump would be the first former US President to be charged with an alleged crime. However, Trump has denied the allegations, citing leaks from the Manhattan Attorney’s Office.
The investigation centers on whether Trump violated campaign finance laws by facilitating the payment to Daniels. His former attorney, Michael Cohen, pleaded guilty in 2018 to campaign finance violations related to the payment. He testified that Trump instructed him to make the payment. Trump initially denied knowing anything about the payment to Daniels but later admitted to reimbursing Cohen.
The news has sparked controversy among Trump’s supporters, with many taking to social media to voice their opposition to the investigation. Some have criticized the Manhattan Attorney’s Office for what they see as a politically motivated attack on the former President.
In the United States, a jury decides whether to indict a case after the prosecutor has presented evidence. It remains to be seen whether Trump will be indicted, but legal experts say that the evidence against him is strong. The coming days will be crucial in determining whether the former President will face charges.