A grand jury has voted to indict Donald Trump, who denounces “political persecution”

by time news

For the first time in history, a former American president is being prosecuted. On Thursday, after ten days of suspense, a Manhattan grand jury voted to indict Donald Trump in the Stormy Daniels case, the court reported. New York Times and CNN. In a statement, Donald Trump denounced “political persecution” that “will backfire on Biden” and “election interference at the highest level” as he announced his 2024 presidential candidacy.

Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg has yet to officially announce the nature of the charges against Donald Trump. The latter should not be arrested but voluntarily present himself to a New York judge so that the charges are officially notified to him, probably in the coming days. But neither this indictment, nor even a possible conviction, will prevent him from running in 2024.

A complex file

For the Manhattan prosecutor, the case is far from won. A false accounting statement, with Donald Trump having the reimbursement of the $ 130,000 paid by his ex-lawyer Michael Cohen to Stormy Daniels in legal fees, constitutes only a minor offense punishable by a fine. Violation of campaign finance laws, on the other hand, is a criminal offense punishable by imprisonment. Still need to convince a jury.

The case is legally complex. Federal justice, which had prosecuted Michael Cohen, never charged Donald Trump. And the Manhattan district attorney will have to prove that the then-Republican nominee intended to violate campaign finance laws with illegal campaign expenses. Trump says it was a private transaction to shield his family from Stormy Daniels’ allegations.

Mined land for 2024

In the United States, ineligibility is not the responsibility of justice but only of Congress. While Donald Trump has already announced his presidential candidacy for 2024, the prospect of a trial could still disrupt the Republican primary. If Donald Trump presents himself as a martyr victim of a “witch hunt”, Ron DeSantis, who seems to be waiting for the right moment to launch himself, has already fired a few scuds against Trump and accusations from an ex-porn star.

But for the New York billionaire, the Stormy Daniels case is undoubtedly the least dangerous. Special Prosecutor Jack Smith’s investigation into the Capitol assault, the 2020 presidential election and the classified documents is making great strides. Judges recently compelled Trump lawyers to testify, and Mike Pence, who can still appeal, may also have to answer questions from a grand jury. Accused of pressuring election officials, Donald Trump also faces the threat of a potential indictment by Georgia justice. And in all these cases, it is not a question of extramarital affair but of the democratic process and national security.

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