Trump expects ‘arrest’ on Tuesday in hush-money lawsuit, calls for protests | The Guardian Nigeria News – Nigeria & World News

Former President Donald Trump has called on his supporters to protest, saying he expects to be “arrested” Tuesday for allegedly paying hush money to a porn star before the 2016 election.

Amid growing signs that prosecutors are close to indicting Trump, the 76-year-old billionaire took to the Truth Social platform Saturday morning to say: next week. Protest and take back our country! ”

Trump will use his social media platforms to make the announcement on Friday, more than two years after being ousted in the Capitol riots, despite resuming activity on Facebook and YouTube. I chose to

The investigation, led by Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg, an elected Democrat, paid $130,000 just weeks before the 2016 poll to allow Stormy Daniels, whose real name is Stephanie Clifford, to kill her years ago. The focus is on stopping people from publicizing their affair with Trump. .

If Trump is indicted, the 76-year-old would become the first ex-president to be charged with a crime. When Trump tries to secure the Republican nomination in the 2024 presidential election, it will also send political shockwaves.

Trump’s attorney told CNBC on Friday night that his client will surrender to face criminal charges if he is indicted.

Mr Trump denied having an affair with Mr Daniels and dismissed the investigation as politically motivated.

In his Truth Social post, written in capital letters, Trump referred to “illegal leaks from the corrupt and highly political Manhattan District Attorney’s office,” saying the investigation was “old and completely debunked (others).” by many prosecutors of !) based on fairy tales.”

Days after a mob of Trump supporters stormed Congress on January 6, 2021, Facebook and YouTube have amassed Trump’s millions of followers, claiming his posts sparked mayhem. I’m here.

grand jury at work

A grand jury in New York, a citizen panel that examines evidence presented by prosecutors to determine whether an indictment is warranted, is hearing from witnesses to Trump’s case.

On Monday, they were contacted by former Trump attorney and fixer Michael Cohen, who paid Daniels. He pleaded guilty but said he was carrying out Trump’s orders.

According to attorney Charles Brewster, Daniels appeared before prosecutors on Wednesday and “agreed to act as a witness or to conduct further investigations if necessary.”

Trump has also been asked to testify, a sign legal experts say an indictment is near.

Payments to Daniels, if not properly accounted for, could lead to misdemeanors related to the falsification of business records. If the false accounting was intended to cover up his second crime, such as campaign finance fraud, it could face felony charges, reports The New York Times.

Trump faces several criminal investigations at the state and federal levels for possible pre-, in- and post-term misconduct that threatens his new run for the White House.

In Georgia, prosecutors are investigating efforts by Trump and his supporters to reverse his 2020 presidential election defeat in a southern state. A grand jury in the case recommended multiple indictments, a foreman said last month.

The former president is also the subject of a federal investigation into his handling of classified documents and his possible involvement in the Jan. 6, 2021 attack on the U.S. Capitol.

While some observers believe the indictment bodes ill for Trump’s 2024 chances, others speculate that it will be a huge boost to the contrary.

“Arrest secures Donald Trump’s nomination,” tweeted Rick Wilson, a political strategist who quit the Republican Party in protest of Trump. “The base will rally politically and possibly physically. (Tell me how.)”

Trump called a new campaign rally in Texas on March 25.