31/3/2023–|Last updated: 3/31/202301:38 AM (Makkah)
The New York Times said on Thursday evening that a grand jury in Manhattan, New York City, charged former US President Donald Trump after an investigation into paying money to silence a pornographic actress, while Trump confirmed that he was completely innocent.
The newspaper quoted what it called informed officials as saying that the indictment against Trump is likely to be announced in the coming days.
The newspaper added that by then the prosecution will have asked Trump to surrender and face the charges, which are still unknown until now.
Al-Jazeera correspondent in Washington, Muhammad Al-Alami, said that this is the first time in the history of the United States that criminal charges have been brought against a former American president or a sitting president.
The charges, which followed an investigation led by Democratic Manhattan Attorney General Alvin Bragg, could affect the 2024 presidential race.
Trump replied
In his first response to the decision, Trump said in a statement that he is completely innocent and that his accusation is a continuation of election interference and political persecution.
He added that what is happening with him has never happened before in the history of the United States, saying that indicting me will backfire on President Joe Biden, who is trying to pursue me politically through the judiciary.
In turn, Trump’s defense team confirmed that the jury informed them to press charges against their client.
On the other hand, the porn actress’s lawyer said that his client did not testify before the jury, but she is available if summoned, stressing that the truth will soon emerge and justice will be achieved.
Electoral race
Trump has previously said he would continue to campaign for the Republican nomination if he was indicted on criminal charges.
A few days ago, Trump said in front of thousands of his supporters during his first election rally in Waco, “The New York prosecutor, under the auspices and direction of the Department of Injustice, is investigating me with something that is neither a felony nor a misdemeanor nor an affair.”
Trump, 76, who faced impeachment proceedings for inciting a rebellion, called on his supporters to protest against Alvin Bragg, the Attorney General of Manhattan, and the former president expected that he would be “arrested” without providing proof of that.
It is believed that Trump is the favorite by a large margin to win the Republican nomination to run for the presidential elections in 2024.
Other potential challengers – led by Florida Governor Ron DeSantis – initially refrained from criticizing Trump, but have recently begun to criticize his personality and the ongoing scandals surrounding him.
Trump is facing a federal investigation against the background of his efforts to overturn the outcome of the 2020 elections in which he lost, and incitement to riots that caused deaths in the Capitol by his supporters to prevent the transfer of power to Joe Biden.
