Trump Indicted
Trump Indicted
latest updates reveal former president trump has been indicted for hush money charges
Trump is indicted
Former President Donald Trump faces a felony charge, a source told CBS News Saturday. A person familiar with the matter told CBS News that Trump is being charged with falsifying business records in the first degree, a felony in New York State.
The charge stems from alleged hush money paid in 2016 to adult film star Stormy Daniels to buy her silence regarding an affair she claimed to have had with Trump.
The indictment handed up by a New York grand jury remains sealed, so the details of the charge are not immediately available.
Trump is the first former president in U.S. history to face criminal charges.
The former president is expected to be arraigned before Judge Juan Merchan on Tuesday, two sources familiar with the matter told CBS News. The indictment would be read to him at that time.
The Trial
In total, there are approximately 30 counts in the indictment, two sources confirmed to CBS News on Friday.
In a statement responding to news of his indictment, the former president called it "Political Persecution and Election Interference at the highest level in history," and accused Democrats of "weaponizing our justice system to punish a political opponent, who just so happens to be a President of the United States."
Two Trump attorneys, Joseph Tacopina and Susan Necheles, issued a statement saying that the former president "did not commit any crime" and vowed to "vigorously fight this political prosecution in Court."
Prosecutors did not inform Necheles and Tacopina of the charge, they told CBS News.
Legal Scrutiny
Former President Donald Trump has been the subject of much legal scrutiny since leaving office, with a number of investigations into his conduct currently ongoing. One of the most significant developments in this regard is the possibility that Trump may face indictment for a crime. If this were to happen, it could have a number of significant outcomes.
The investigations into Trump's conduct have been wide-ranging, encompassing everything from his business dealings to his actions as president. Some of the most serious allegations against him relate to his role in the January 6th insurrection at the US Capitol, as well as his attempts to pressure state officials to overturn the results of the 2020 election.
One of the key questions surrounding the possibility of Trump being indicted is whether he can be prosecuted for crimes committed while he was in office. The US Constitution provides some immunity to sitting presidents, but it is unclear whether this immunity extends to criminal prosecution.
One argument in favor of indicting a former president is that it would send a message that no one is above the law, regardless of their status or position. This would be an important statement to make, given the serious nature of the allegations against Trump.
Polarization
Another potential outcome of Trump being indicted is that it could have significant political implications. The former president remains a highly polarizing figure, and his supporters are likely to view any indictment as politically motivated. This could lead to further division and polarization within the country, particularly if Trump were to claim that he is the victim of a "witch hunt."
On the other hand, if Trump were to be indicted and convicted of a crime, it could have a unifying effect. Many Americans have been deeply troubled by the allegations against Trump, and a conviction could serve as a symbol of justice being served.
It is worth noting that the outcome of any potential indictment of Trump would depend largely on the specifics of the charges against him. If he were to be indicted for a relatively minor crime, such as tax fraud, it is possible that the political fallout would be relatively limited. However, if he were to be indicted for a more serious crime, such as conspiracy to commit sedition, the implications could be far-reaching.
One possibility in the event of an indictment is that Trump could be forced to face a trial. This would be a highly unusual situation, as no former president has ever faced criminal charges in this way. However, it is possible that the courts could decide that Trump should be held accountable for his actions.
What would happen to Trump?
If Trump were to be found guilty of a crime, he could face a range of penalties, including fines and imprisonment. It is worth noting that the political implications of such an outcome would likely depend on the severity of the crime in question. For example, if Trump were to be found guilty of inciting the January 6th insurrection, it is possible that his political career would be effectively over.
Another potential outcome of an indictment is that it could lead to a broader investigation into the conduct of the Trump administration. There are a number of unanswered questions about the former president's behavior while in office, and an indictment could be the catalyst for further investigations into his conduct.
Ultimately, the possibility of Trump being indicted is a complex and multifaceted issue. While there are arguments both for and against such an outcome, it is clear that the implications would be significant. Whether he is ultimately held accountable for his actions or not, the investigations into Trump's conduct have already had a significant impact on American politics and will continue to do so for years to come.
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This article originally appeared in Trump faces felony charge, source says