Trump indicted by New York grand jury

Former president maintains innocence

By CASEY HARPER THE CENTER SQUARE SENIOR REPORTER

(The Center Square) — Former President Donald Trump was indicted by a grand jury in New York City Thursday, potentially kicking off one of the most controversial court cases in decades and the first criminal charges against a former or sitting president.

The specific charges and details of the indictment have not yet been released, but prosecutors presented evidence that Mr. Trump allegedly paid hush money to adult film star Stormy Daniels through a lawyer and illegally covered it up as a legal expense before being elected president.

His attorney, Joe Tacopina, said Mr. Trump likely will be arraigned early next week.

Reacting to the indictment, Mr. Trump reiterated his stance that the investigation was a political witch hunt by Democrats and maintained his innocence.

“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,” he said in a statement. “Never before in our Nation’s history has this been done.

“The Democrats have cheated countless times over the

SHEALAH CRAIGHEAD / WHITE HOUSE Donald Trump

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.”

Analysts are divided on whether the indictment will hurt Mr. Trump politically or propel him as a martyr for his movement. Mr. Trump is running again for president in 2024. An indictment alone won’t affect his ability to run.

Mr. Trump warned earlier this month that he would be arrested and called for his supporters to protest and “take our nation back.” Mr. Trump’s rhetoric

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