Law enforcement agencies are reportedly bracing for a possible indictment of former President Trump on charges related to alleged hush money payments to Stormy Daniels in 2016.
According to NBC New York, security assessments are being made around the Manhattan Criminal Court in the event an indictment comes as early as next week, with NYPD, New York State Court Officers, U.S. Secret Service, the FBI’s Joint Terrorism Task Force, and the Manhattan District Attorney’s Office all involved in planning and discussions.
Former Trump attorney Michael Cohen, who testified Monday and Wednesday before the Manhattan grand jury, pleaded guilty to federal campaign finance violations in 2018 for arranging payments to two women with whom Trump allegedly had affairs, including Daniels.
Cohen has said he did so at Trump's direction and was reimbursed with what the Trump Organization categorized as "legal expenses." Trump denies having an affair with Daniels and says he was a victim of extortion.
If [Manhattan District Attorney Alvin] Bragg seeks felony charges against Trump, he likely would have to prove that the then-presidential candidate falsified business records to cover up another crime — in this case, Cohen's campaign finance violations.
Reality check: Former Manhattan prosecutor Mark Pomerantz warned in his new book that if Bragg chooses to pursue that complex strategy, there is "a big risk that felony charges would be dismissed before a jury could even consider them." (Axios)
Trump defense lawyer Joe Tacopina argued on MSNBC that an indictment would only help the former president.
"[I]f they bring this case, I believe this will catapult him into the White House," Tacopina said. "Because this will show how they're weaponizing the justice system."
“I believe this will catapult him into the White House” - Trump Defense Lawyer Joe Tacopina on the Manhattan DA’s case. pic.twitter.com/Tnycj0yweH
— The Beat with Ari Melber 📺 (@TheBeatWithAri) March 15, 2023
Trump, who is seeking the GOP presidential nomination, said he “wouldn’t even think about leaving” the race if he were indicted. “Probably it will enhance my numbers.”
Update: Trump spokesperson Steven Cheung issued a statement, telling Fox News Digital that Trump is "completely innocent."
"He did nothing wrong, and even the biggest, most Radical Left Democrats are making that clear," Cheung said. "From Russia, Russia, Russia, to the Mueller Hoax, to Impeachment Hoaxes 1 and 2, and even the Unlawful Mar-a-Lago Raid, Democrats have investigated and attacked President Trump since before he was elected – and they’ve failed every time."
"Now Democrats are at it again, pushing the 'Nuclear Button' and attacking a President because of a disgraced extortionist," he continued. "This is happening because President Trump is leading in the polls by a large margin against both Democrats and Republicans, and there’s never been anything so blatant in American political history."
Cheung added: "Everyone knows it’s a sham. In fact, the Department of Justice stocked the DA’s office with top people from DC to help ‘Get Trump’ at a local level. Americans will not tolerate Radical Left Democrats turning our justice system into an injustice system to influence a presidential election, which is all they want to do. Our Country is not going to let this happen. This will backfire massively for the Democrat Party, and end in disgrace for our Nation."
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