Former US President Donald Trump was arrested on Tuesday, April 4, 2023, after a grand jury in Manhattan indicted him on more than 30 counts of corporate fraud connected to hush money payments to adult film star Stormy Daniels. Trump is the first former president in US history to face criminal charges, making this a historic and unparalleled occurrence.
We will outline the history of the case, the allegations against Trump, and what to anticipate from his arraignment and potential trial in this blog post.
Background of the case
The case against Trump stems from a payment of $130,000 that his former personal lawyer and fixer, Michael Cohen, made to Daniels in October 2016, days before the presidential election. The payment was allegedly intended to silence Daniels from going public about an affair she claimed to have had with Trump in 2006. Trump has denied having an affair with Daniels.
Cohen pleaded guilty in 2018 to tax evasion, lying to Congress and campaign finance violations related to the payments to Daniels and another woman, Karen McDougal. He was sentenced to three years in prison but was released early due to the coronavirus pandemic. He has since cooperated with prosecutors and testified against Trump.
The Manhattan district attorney's office, led by Alvin Bragg, has been investigating whether Trump falsified business records when he reimbursed Cohen for the payment to Daniels. Prosecutors have also been looking into whether Trump and his company violated state tax laws and committed bank and insurance fraud.
Charges against Trump
On March 30, 2023, a grand jury in Manhattan voted to indict Trump on criminal charges over the hush money payments. The indictment was submitted under seal and has not yet been made available to the public. Trump, though, is charged with more than 30 charges of corporate fraud, each of which carries a potential 25-year jail sentence, according to CNN.
The indictment is anticipated to be revealed on Tuesday, April 4, 2023, when Trump is set to be arraigned in court. An arraignment is a formal reading of a defendant's charges and a chance for them to make a guilty or not guilty plea.
What to expect from the arraignment and possible trial
On Tuesday morning, Trump is anticipated to turn himself in to law enforcement at a court in central Manhattan. Before being brought to the courts for his arraignment, he will be processed, his fingerprints taken, and his picture taken. His attorneys, who have already blasted the accusation as a "political witch hunt" and vowed to fight it, will defend him.
Trump will probably enter a not guilty plea and ask for bail. The judge will determine whether to issue bail or keep him in custody until the trial ends. A date for a pretrial hearing during which both sides will submit their cases and supporting documentation will also be appointed by the judge.
If the case goes to trial, it could take months or even years before a verdict is reached. A trial would involve selecting a jury, hearing testimonies from witnesses and experts, examining documents and exhibits, and making closing arguments. The jury would then deliberate and decide whether Trump is guilty or not guilty of each charge.
A conviction would be a stunning blow for Trump, who has maintained his innocence and accused prosecutors of being biased and corrupt. A conviction could also jeopardize his political future and his ability to run for office again in 2024.
An acquittal would be a major victory for Trump, who would likely claim vindication and use it as a rallying cry for his supporters. An acquittal could also boost his chances of making a comeback in 2024.
Whatever the outcome, the case against Trump will likely have significant implications for American politics and society. It will test the rule of law, the judiciary's independence, and public officials' accountability. It will also deepen the polarization and division among Americans who have different views on Trump's legacy and actions.