Former President Donald Trump indicted by Manhattan grand jury, sources say
A New York Grand Jury has voted to indict former president Donald Trump, according to multiple sources with knowledge.
Joe Tacopina, a lawyer for Trump, told The Associated Press he had been told that a grand jury that had been meeting for months voted to indict Trump.
The specific charges were not immediately made public, however, two sources familiar with the case tell CNN that Trump faces more than 30 counts related to business fraud.
Statement from President Trump’s lawyers regarding the indictment of President Trump
President Trump has been indicted. He did not commit any crime. We will vigorously fight this this political prosecution in Court.
- trump's lawyers, susan necheles and joseph tacopina
Trump is expected to be arraigned early next week, Tacopina said.
It's the first time in US history that a current or former president will face criminal charges.
Trump told ABC News' John Santucci via a quick phone call the news of an indictment is "an attack on our country" and went on to call it "political persecution" and then added "they are trying to impact an election."
Santucci asked Trump if he plans to turn himself in, he said "you take care John" and then hung up.
Statement by Donald J. Trump, 45th President of the United States of America
“This is Political Persecution and Election Interference at the highest level in history. From the time I came down the golden escalator at Trump Tower, and even before I was sworn in as your President of the United States, the Radical Left Democrats - the enemy of the hard-working men and women of this Country - have been engaged in a Witch-Hunt to destroy the Make America Great Again movement. You remember it just like I do: Russia, Russia, Russia; the Mueller Hoax; Ukraine, Ukraine, Ukraine; Impeachment Hoax 1; Impeachment Hoax 2; the illegal and unconstitutional Mar-a-Lago raid; and now this.
The Democrats have lied, cheated and stolen in their obsession with trying to ‘Get Trump,’ but now they’ve done the unthinkable - indicting a completely innocent person in an act of blatant Election Interference.
Never before in our Nation’s history has this been done. The Democrats have cheated countless times over the decades, including spying on my campaign, but weaponizing our justice system to punish a political opponent, who just so happens to be a President of the United States and by far the leading Republican candidate for President, has never happened before. Ever.
Manhattan DA Alvin Bragg, who was hand-picked and funded by George Soros, is a disgrace. Rather than stopping the unprecedented crime wave taking over New York City, he’s doing Joe Biden’s dirty work, ignoring the murders and burglaries and assaults he should be focused on. This is how Bragg spends his time!
I believe this Witch-Hunt will backfire massively on Joe Biden. The American people realize exactly what the Radical Left Democrats are doing here. Everyone can see it. So our Movement, and our Party - united and strong - will first defeat Alvin Bragg, and then we will defeat Joe Biden, and we are going to throw every last one of these Crooked Democrats out of office so we can MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN!”
The Manhattan district attorney’s office has been investigating Trump in connection with his alleged role in a hush money payment scheme and cover-up involving adult film star Stormy Daniels that dates to the 2016 presidential election.
Statement from spokesperson of Manhattan DA Alvin Bragg
“This evening we contacted Mr. Trump’s attorney to coordinate his surrender to the Manhattan D.A.’s Office for arraignment on a Supreme Court indictment, which remains under seal. Guidance will be provided when the arraignment date is selected.”
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis says Florida will not assist in any extradition request for Trump.
The weaponization of the legal system to advance a political agenda turns the rule of law on its head.
— Ron DeSantis (@GovRonDeSantis) March 30, 2023
It is un-American.
The Soros-backed Manhattan District Attorney has consistently bent the law to downgrade felonies and to excuse criminal misconduct. Yet, now he is…
The White House has declined to comment on the indictment of former President Donald Trump.
Statement from Stormy Daniels' lawyer Clark Brewster
"The indictment of Donald Trump is no cause for joy. The hard work and conscientiousness of the grand jurors must be respected. Now let truth and justice prevail. No one is above the law."
Trump, who has denied any wrongdoing and has attacked the investigation, was expected to surrender to authorities next week, according to a person familiar with the matter who was not authorized to discuss a matter that remained under seal.
Statement from Michael Cohen, former attorney of Donald Trump
“For the first time in our Country’s history, a President (current or former) of the United States has been indicted. I take no pride in issuing this statement and wish to also remind everyone of the presumption of innocence; as provided by the due process clause. However, I do take solace in validating the adage that no one is above the law; not even a former President. Today’s indictment is not the end of this chapter; but rather, just the beginning. Now that the charges have been filed, it is better for the case to let the indictment speak for itself. The two things I wish to say at this time is that accountability matters and I stand by my testimony and the evidence I have provided to DANY.”
In response to Donald Trump’s reported indictment, DNC National Press Secretary Ammar Moussa released the following statement:
"No matter what happens in Trump’s upcoming legal proceedings, it’s obvious the Republican Party remains firmly in the hold of Donald Trump and MAGA Republicans. We will continue to hold Trump and all Republican candidates accountable for the extreme MAGA agenda that includes banning abortion, cutting Social Security and Medicare, and undermining free and fair elections.”
Statement from local Congressman Ken Calvert:
“All Americans should be concerned by radical Democrat prosecutors who are more motivated to charge their political opponents than put violent criminals behind bars. We must stop the weaponization of our legal system to attack political opponents – period.”
Statement from local Congressman Raul Ruiz:
"In America, no one is above the law and everyone is entitled to due process. We must let our judicial system carry out its work in a fair and impartial manner."
