Donald Trump indictment: What to watch if former president is arrested
A Manhattan grand jury is reportedly meeting today to vote on a possible indictment of former President Donald Trump regarding hush-money payments made to Stormy Daniels by his personal lawyer, Michael Cohen, during his 2016 presidential campaign. This would be the first time in US history that a former president faces criminal charges.
Trump has already been vocal about the grand jury’s decision, posting on social media that he anticipates his arrest on Tuesday, and has called for people to “protest” and “take our nation back,” prompting law enforcement officials in New York and Washington, D.C., among other cities, to prepare for possible unrest or violence similar to the events of Jan. 6, 2021, at the Capitol.
Here are some things to watch for if an indictment is handed down:
How will Manhattan’s DA handle the charges?
If Donald Trump is indicted, Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg and his prosecutors are likely to work with Trump’s legal counsel to make the affair as smooth as possible to avoid excessive exposure or publicity that could arise from speculation. Trump would be arraigned in New York, and according to reports, he has said he wants to appear in person, rather than participate in a remote video arraignment, for fear of appearing weak. However, it is unlikely that he will be held in Manhattan while the legal case continues, thus allowing him to continue accumulating support for his 2024 presidential campaign.
How will Trump react to an indictment?
Given that Donald Trump has already drawn a lot of attention to the possibility of his arrest, an indictment will likely create more drama. Reports suggest that Trump wants to be handcuffed during his initial in-person court appearance as he perceives this to be an opportunity to gain support and notoriety ahead of the election. He has also said that he does not care if someone shoots at him, as it will make him “a martyr” and possibly secure his win of the presidency. Trump has already weaponized the possible charges for political gain, showcasing that he is a target of a politically motivated judicial system that he would reconstruct if he became president in 2024.
How will GOP lawmakers react?
Several Republican lawmakers, such as Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-SC) and Rep. Jim Jordan (R-OH), have blasted the investigation and impending indictment as a political vendetta against Donald Trump and a methodical distraction from other problems. Others, however, have supported efforts to condemn the actions against Trump and vowed to open an investigation into Bragg and his office. Some GOP lawmakers in the House have requested testimony from Bragg, calling his case an “outrageous abuse of power,” and have sought documentation and communications relating to the case. Bragg, for his part, has said he will not be “intimidated” by such tactics from GOP politicians attempting to “undermine the judicial process.”
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