Yahoo News Trump indictment – live: Trump gets fundraising boost as Jeb Bush mocked for criticising prosecutor
Donald Trump will appear in a New York court early next week to face criminal charges over the hush money payments to adult film star Stormy Daniels in the days before the 2016 presidential election.
New York court officials have confirmed that the former president is expected to appear for his arraignment at 2.15pm on Tuesday.
On Thursday, Mr Trump became the first former president in US history to face criminal charges after the Manhattan grand jury investigating his role in the payments voted to indict him.
Multiple reports suggest that Mr Trump is facing more than 30 charges of business fraud, though the details of the indictment are not yet known.
Mr Trump’s 2024 campaign has raked in about $4m since his indictment.
The former president has fumed about the indictment in statements posted on his Truth Social platform since Thursday where he railed against the “corrupt” charges, claimed he can’t get a fair trial in New York, and lashed out at Judge Juan Merchan who is assigned to the case.
Republicans have sprung to Mr Trump’s defence, with Twitter users specifically calling out his one-time foe Jeb Bush for his response.
Key Points
Trump indictment fuels fundraising boost as ex-president rages on Truth Social
Trump indicted over hush money payments in Stormy Daniels probe
Michael Cohen and Stormy Daniels react to indictment
Twitter reacts as Trump foe Jeb Bush says indictment ‘very political'
Trump’s trial will not be televised
22:00 , Oliver O'Connell
If you were looking forward to watching what really would be the trial of the century (yes, another one), you are going to be sorely disappointed.
New York is one of the only jurisdictions in the country (alongside Louisiana and the District of Columbia) that still bans cameras in legal proceedings.
Per New York magazine’s “Intelligencer”:
Donald Trump is about to be prosecuted, but unless you’re one of the few people who might be allowed inside the courtroom in Manhattan, you won’t be able to watch. That’s because New York is one of the only jurisdictions in the country that still bans cameras in legal trials.
Given the political stakes of prosecuting a former president who is again running for office, the public needs to observe the strength of Manhattan DA Alvin Bragg’s case rather than rely on others to tell them how the evidence shakes out — especially given Trump and his allies’ penchant for spreading disinformation. With confidence in the media and courts at an all-time low, will members of the public trust the outcome of the case if they can’t see it for themselves? To ask the question is to answer it. With the future of other criminal probes unclear, Bragg’s prosecution may be the only public reckoning we get of Trump’s alleged criminality.
But do not despair.
Trump’s trial in Manhattan is at least several months away, which may be enough time for the state to open up the courtroom to cameras. There just so happens to already be a piece of legislation under consideration that would do that...
Read the full article here.
21:50 , Oliver O'Connell
Trump’s indictment: What happens next?
Team Trump reaching back more than 50 years in his defence
21:35 , Oliver O'Connell
I guess the ‘but Hunter, Hillary and Obama’ whataboutisms have played out. Time to reach back to 1969. pic.twitter.com/x8K5fgvvnJ
— Ron Filipkowski 🇺🇦 (@RonFilipkowski) April 1, 2023
Trump’s decades of perceived invincibility ended by indictment
21:20 , Oliver O'Connell
When Donald Trump steps before a judge next week to be arraigned in a New York courtroom, it will not only mark the first time a former U.S. president has faced criminal charges. It will also represent a reckoning for a man long nicknamed “Teflon Don,” who until now has managed to skirt serious legal jeopardy despite 40 years of legal scrutiny.
Read on:
Trump indictment ends decades of perceived invincibility
20:50 , Oliver O'Connell
Donald Trump strikes no-handcuffs deal for his arrest on 30 charges
Eric Trump must have quite a headache
20:20 , Oliver O'Connell
The former president’s second eldest son seems to be shopping around for pain medication in New York, apparently trying different brands from different stores over a 24-hour-period according to two recent interviews.
These two Eric Trump clips are less than 24 hours apart. pic.twitter.com/QTvaxSh1wP
— Ron Filipkowski 🇺🇦 (@RonFilipkowski) April 1, 2023
Biden 2024: Big decisions ahead for the president
19:50 , Oliver O'Connell
President Joe Biden has all but announced he’s running for reelection, but key questions about the 2024 campaign are unresolved: Who will manage it? Where will it be based? When will he finally make it official?
Advisers have long said he planned to wait until after March, when the year’s first fundraising period wraps up. That was an effort to help manage expectations because many donors who gave generously to Democratic causes during last fall’s elections were looking for a break.
But an announcement isn’t imminent even now, aides insist, and probably won’t come until at least after Biden returns from an expected trip to Ireland in mid-April.
Read on:
Biden and his 2024 campaign: Waiting for some big decisions
More than Stormy weather ahead: the other major lawsuits and investigations facing Trump
19:20 , Oliver O'Connell
Josh Marcus and Louise Hall rundown what you need to know about all the major investigations and lawsuits against Donald Trump in addition to this week’s indictment.
Here are all 20 major lawsuits and investigations Trump is facing
Murkowski one of few in GOP to not criticise Manhattan DA
18:50 , Oliver O'Connell
Senator Lisa Murkowski of Alaska is one of the few members of the Republican Party in Congress to not criticise Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg.
In a statement, the senator says: “I am monitoring Donald Trump’s legal situation as it unfolds. No one is above the law in this country, but everyone deserves a fair legal process.”
She continues: “The indictment of a former President is unprecedented and must be handled with the utmost integrity and scrutiny. Instead of rushing to individual judgment, we must also evaluate the evidence as it becomes available and use it to inform our opinions and statements about what is actually happening.”
The Independent’s Eric Garcia notes the difference between Ms Murkowski and other Republican lawmakers: “Murkowski, unlike Mitch McConnell or much of the Republican conference, voted to convict Donald Trump, so she's no longer his problem. She also just won re-election and is from a state with ranked-choice voting. So she doesn't need to worry about him.”
Murkowski, unlike Mitch McConnell or much of the Republican conference, voted to convict Donald Trump, so she's no longer his problem. She also just won re-election and is from a state with ranked-choice voting. So she doesn't need to worry about him. https://t.co/p2JuKSWbYb
— Eric Michael Garcia (@EricMGarcia) April 1, 2023
Voices: Stormy Daniels is smart, fierce, articulate – and she’s about to bring down Trump’s house of cards
18:20 , Oliver O'Connell
Emily Maitlis writes:
The investigation centres around hush money Trump paid to Stormy Daniels in the days before the 2016 election, to stop her from talking about the sex she had had with him a decade earlier.
Daniels was silent then. But not for long. I interviewed her in 2018, when she went into curiously specific detail about the shape of the presidential penis. She was smart, fierce, articulate and funny. And she had basically decided it was “checkmate” time for the president once he’d leaked her name into the public domain.
What a beloved irony: that the woman he paid to shut up may actually end up bringing down his whole house of cards.
Read on:
Stormy Daniels is about to bring down Donald Trump’s house of cards | Emily Maitlis
Twitter reacts as Trump foe Jeb Bush says indictment ‘very political'
17:50 , Oliver O'Connell
Former presidential candidate and Florida Governor Jeb(!) Bush has added his voice to the accusations that the indictment against Donald Trump handed down by a Manhattan grand jury is “very political”.
On Saturday morning, he posted: “Bragg’s predecessor didn’t take up the case. The Justice Department didn’t take up the case. Bragg first said he would not take up the case. This is very political, not a matter of justice. In this case, let the jury be the voters.”
Twitter users were quick to respond.
The jury… was the jury! There was a grand jury, Jeb. Regular Americans. They saw the evidence. Not you. You don’t even know what is in the indictment, yet you are rushing to defend a man who humiliated you and made your very name a punchline. How embarrassing.
— MeidasTouch (@MeidasTouch) April 1, 2023
What is the point of this Jeb! Why?
— Ryan Davis (@RyanNewYork) April 1, 2023
Is it possible the grand jury heard evidence you're not aware of?
— Anita Creamer (@AnitaCreamer) April 1, 2023
There already has been a jury of voters. They decided that he should be charged.
— Peter Ramsey (@pramsey342) April 1, 2023
A grand jury found cause to bring over 30 criminal counts in this first (of potentially 4) indictment. And you want the prosecutor to ignore their recommendations because you believe politicians should be above the law? Is that what you’re saying? Laws don’t apply to politicians?
— Julia Pulver, MSN, RN (@VotePulver) April 1, 2023
— Scott Monty (@ScottMonty) April 1, 2023
Who is Trump’s lawyer Joe Tacopina?
17:20 , Oliver O'Connell
Gustaf Kilander looks at what we know about the ex-president’s top lawyer in the case:
Soccer executive and celebrity attorney: Who is Trump’s lawyer Joe Tacopina?
Donald Trump’s former lawyer Michael Cohen hits out at his current ‘clown show of counsel’
16:55 , Oliver O'Connell
Michael Cohen has hit out at the “clown show of counsel” representing Donald Trump after he became the first-ever former US president to face a criminal indictment.
Watch:
Donald Trump’s former lawyer hits out at his current ‘clown show of counsel’
When will Donald Trump face trial?
16:30 , Oliver O'Connell
It could take a while for the trial to come to court, Andrew Feinberg reports.
When will Donald Trump face trial?
Dominion wins partial victory in defamation lawsuit against Fox News
16:05 , Oliver O'Connell
A Delaware judge has denied a motion for summary judgment from Fox News in a defamation case brought against the company from Dominion Voting Systems, the subject of baseless conspiracy theories tied to the 2020 presidential election that made their way on the network’s airwaves.
A ruling in Delaware Superior Court on 31 March grants Dominion a partial victory in its motion for summary judgment in the blockbuster lawsuit against the network, which the judge determined broadcast false statements.
Both sides sought a pretrial ruling from Delaware Superior Court Judge Eric Davis to declare them the winner and avoid a high-profile trial, which will begin next month.
Alex Woodward has the story.
Dominion wins partial victory in blockbuster defamation lawsuit against Fox News
Trump’s tough guy posture over indictment isn’t fooling these insiders
15:40 , Oliver O'Connell
Andrew Feinberg talks to former insiders and confidantes of Donald Trump, who tell him the ex-president is incapable of understanding that he can’t intimidate or delay his way out of criminal charges now that he has been indicted.
Trump’s posture over indictment isn’t fooling these insiders
Trump attorney says ‘zero chance’ former president will accept plea deal
15:15 , Oliver O'Connell
Donald Trump’s attorney launched a fresh media blitz on Friday morning as he insisted that there is “zero chance” the former president will accept a plea deal in his criminal case.
Attorney Joe Tacopina appeared on both ABC’s Good Morning America and NBC’s Today show just hours after Mr Trump was criminally indicted on around 30 criminal charges in connection to 2016 hush money payments
Rachel Sharp has the story.
Trump attorney goes on media blitz, says there’s ‘zero chance’ he will take plea deal
Can you still run for president from jail?
14:50 , Oliver O'Connell
John Bowden looks at the question on everyone’s mind...
Can you still run for president from jail?
GOP messaging guru Frank Luntz has a warning for Alvin Bragg
14:25 , Oliver O'Connell
Prosecutors need to start fighting their battle against the former president in the arena of public relations, veteran pollster tells The Independent’s Andrew Feinberg.
GOP messaging guru Frank Luntz has a warning for Alvin Bragg
Trump ‘viciously appealing’ to block judge assigned to hush money trial
14:00 , Oliver O'Connell
Donald Trump has lashed out at the judge assigned to the case against him relating to hush money payments to porn star Stormy Daniels.
Following Thursday evening’s surprise indictment of the former president — which reportedly caught him and his team off guard — Mr Trump has been angrily sharing his grievances about the situation on his social media platform, Truth Social.
On Friday morning he turned his attention to Judge Juan Merchan who will take up the case when it reaches court.
Read on:
Trump ‘viciously appealing’ to block judge assigned to hush money trial
Does the indictment boost Trump’s 2024 prospects?
13:30 , Oliver O'Connell
Eric Garcia speaks to analysts, campaigners and Republicans themselves about whether that’s really true that the indictment could help carry Donald Trump to re-election.
Will the indictment boost Trump’s chances for 2024?
The Manhattan district attorney who prosecuted Donald Trump
13:00 , Oliver O'Connell
Alvin Bragg, Manhattan’s first-ever Black district attorney, was overwhelmingly elected to the role in 2021 with 84 per cent of the borough’s vote.
Who is Alvin Bragg? The Manhattan district attorney who prosecuted Donald Trump
Alvin Bragg’s office scolds House GOP for ‘interference’ in Trump case
12:30 , Oliver O'Connell
The office of Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg has defended the decision to indict Donald Trump over hush money payments to Stormy Daniels.
A letter sent on Friday to Republican lawmakers from General Counsel Leslie Dubeck rejected the “baseless and inflammatory allegations that [the] investigation is politically motivated”.
“That conclusion is misleading and meritless,” the six-page letter to three House Republican committee chairs continues.
Read on:
Manhattan DA’s office reprimands House GOP for ‘interference’ in Trump case
Stormy Daniels: Trump indictment will cause ‘injuries and death’
11:45 , Oliver O'Connell
Stormy Daniels said Friday she believes the indictment of former President Donald Trump will cause “injuries and deaths,” even as she celebrated the notion of Mr Trump being held accountable for his actions.
In an interview granted to The Times from an undisclosed location in the United States, Ms Daniels, 44, said she believes the indictment will “continue to divide people” as the US deals with an ongoing rise in political violence.
Abe Asher reports.
Stormy Daniels says Trump indictment will cause ‘injuries and death’
Karen McDougal: Who is the other woman 'paid hush money over Trump affair'?
11:15 , Sravasti Dasgupta
While much of the public speculation about what is contained in the still-sealed indictment that Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg has obtained against Donald Trump has centred around Stormy Daniels, another woman who received payments to stay silent about Mr Trump’s alleged affairs may also play a significant role in the unprecedented criminal trial of a former American commander-in-chief.
That woman is Karen McDougal, a former model for Playboy who was voted “Playmate of the Year” in 1998.
Andrew Feinberg has more:
Karen McDougal: Who is the other woman paid hush money over Trump affair?
How George Soros became a target for Trump and Fox News with Alvin Bragg’s investigation
10:45 , Oliver O'Connell
Alex Woodward explains how the former president and his allies claim billionaire philanthropist George Soros ‘bought’ and ‘hand picked’ the Manhattan prosecutor, wrapping up the indictment in long-running antisemitic conspiracy theories.
How George Soros became a target for Trump and Fox News
Stormy Daniels pops the champagne as Trump is indicted over hush money payments
10:15 , Sravasti Dasgupta
Stormy Daniels was in a celebratory mood after news broke that Donald Trump was being indicted for his role in a hush-money payment to her in 2016.
In an interview with The Times on Friday, Ms Daniels elaborated on her feelings regarding Mr Trump’s indictment.“It’s vindication,” Ms Daniels told the newspaper.
“But it’s bittersweet. He’s done so much worse that he should have been taken down [for] before. I am fully aware of the insanity of it being a porn star. But it’s also poetic; this pussy grabbed back.”
Abe Asher reports:
Stormy Daniels pops the champagne as Trump is indicted over hush money payments
‘His soul is totally bonded with our core emotions’
09:45 , Oliver O'Connell
Supporters of Donald Trump were predictably apoplectic following the announcement on Thursday evening that the former president was indicted by a Manhattan grand jury.
Among the chorus of conservative voices shouting in despair, one stood out; a group of young Republicans who likened the former president to a personified American soul.
Graig Graziosi has the story.
Young Republicans are not taking the Trump indictment well
Court officially confirms date and time for Trump arraignment
09:15 , Sravasti Dasgupta
The date and time of the court hearing for the arraignment of former President Donald Trump have been confirmed by the court, and will take place on Tuesday 4 April at 2.15pm ET.
Gustaf Kilander has more:
Court officially confirms date and time for Trump arraignment
Ivanka Trump ‘pained’ for both father and country
08:45 , Oliver O'Connell
Ivanka Trump has broken her silence on her father’s criminal indictment to say that she is “pained” for both her parent and her country.
Donald Trump’s daughter finally released a brief statement on Instagram just before midday ET on Friday – around 18 hours after a grand jury voted to indict the former president on criminal charges over the 2016 hush money payments to Stormy Daniels.
Read on:
Ivanka Trump breaks silence on her father’s indictment
Who is Trump’s lawyer Joe Tacopina?
08:15 , Sravasti Dasgupta
A Manhattan grand jury voted on Thursday to Donald Trump, allegedly for falsifying business records in connection to a 2016 hush money payment to porn actor Stormy Daniels for her to remain silent about a 2006 affair she claims to have had with the former president, a claim he denies.
Lawyer Joe Tacopina is the head of the legal team representing Mr Trump.
Here’s what we know about the ex-president’s top lawyer in the case:
Soccer executive and celebrity attorney: Who is Trump’s lawyer Joe Tacopina?
Biden has a clear strategy on the Trump indictment: ‘No comment'
07:45 , Oliver O'Connell
Does President Joe Biden have any reaction to the indictment of former President Donald Trump? Is he concerned about possible protests or that the unprecedented indictment could further divide the nation? What does the indictment mean for the rule of law in the United States?
Biden’s answer on Friday was the same each time: No comment, no comment, no comment.
Read on:
Biden's strategy on Trump's indictment: No comment
Tearful Lindsey Graham begs Trump fans to give him money
06:45 , Oliver O'Connell
A tearful Lindsey Graham has begged Donald Trump’s supporters to send the wealthy business tycoon turned former president money to help him fight his criminal indictment.
Speaking on Fox News’ Sean Hannity programme on Thursday night, the Republican senator appeared to choke up with emotion as he branded the indictment against Mr Trump “legal voodoo” and complained that “they are trying to drain him dry”.
Rachel Sharp reports on the senator’s emotional moment:
Tearful Lindsey Graham begs Trump fans to give him money to fight indictment
Voices: Donald Trump is in big trouble – but he’s not alone
05:45 , Oliver O'Connell
Noah Berlatsky writes:
Former President Donald Trump is in trouble. But Trumpism in the GOP is more powerful than ever. Bigotry, lies, conspiracy theories—even as Trump goes down, his style of rage, resentment, and hatred ascends in the party that elevated him, and which he now embodies.
Read on:
Donald Trump is in big trouble – but he’s not alone
Earlier: Court officially confirms date and time for Trump arraignment
04:45 , Oliver O'Connell
The date and time of the court hearing for the arraignment of former President Donald Trump have been confirmed by the court, and will take place on Tuesday 4 April at 2.15pm ET.
A Manhattan grand jury voted on Thursday to indict former President Donald Trump for falsifying business records in connection to a 2016 hush money payment to porn actor Stormy Daniels for her to remain silent about a 2006 affair she claims to have had with Mr Trump, an allegation he denies.
It has been reported that Mr Trump faces more than 30 counts of business fraud.
Gustaf Kilander reports.
Court officially confirms date and time for Trump arraignment
House GOP reprimanded by Manhattan DA’s office over ‘interference’ in Trump case
03:45 , Oliver O'Connell
The office of Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg has defended the decision to indict Donald Trump over hush money payments to Stormy Daniels.
A letter sent on Friday to Republican lawmakers from General Counsel Leslie Dubeck rejected the “baseless and inflammatory allegations that [the] investigation is politically motivated”.
“That conclusion is misleading and meritless,” the six-page letter to three House Republican committee chairs continues.
Read on:
Manhattan DA’s office reprimands House GOP for ‘interference’ in Trump case
Could the Stormy Daniels hush money indictment eclipse other Trump investigations?
02:45 , Oliver O'Connell
The indictment against former President Donald Trump involving a payoff to suppress claims of an extramarital sexual encounter is raising concerns that it could undermine public confidence in what democracy experts view as far more important investigations.
Trump is facing multiple investigations related to his refusal to accept his 2020 loss to Democrat Joe Biden. That includes whether he pressured election officials to overturn the results, encouraged fake electors from battleground states and his role in the events that led to the Jan. 6, 2021, assault on the U.S. Capitol.
Read on:
Worries grow that Trump indictment will eclipse other probes
A brief history of the political mug shot
01:45 , Oliver O'Connell
Donald Trump will not be the first politician to have a mug shot.
Here’s a look at how some notable politicians handled their own moment of photographic notoriety.
Mug shot as a political boost? Some politicians have tried
Eric Trump mocked for linking shoplifting precautions to his father’s indictment
Saturday 1 April 2023 00:45 , Oliver O'Connell
Eric Trump, the second-eldest son of former President Donald Trump, is being roundly mocked on Twitter after linking his father’s criminal indictment to pharmacies’ shoplifting protections in an interview on Fox News.
Abe Asher has the story.
Eric Trump mocked for linking shoplifting precautions to his father’s indictment
Earlier: Piers Morgan announces sudden postponement of Stormy Daniels interview
Saturday 1 April 2023 00:00 , Oliver O'Connell
Piers Morgan has announced his scheduled interview with former adult film star Stormy Daniels has been cancelled due to “security issues”.
Daniels was expected to appear on the broadcaster’s Piers Morgan Uncensored show on Friday (31 March).
Inga Parkel reports.
Stormy Daniels’ interview with Piers Morgan postponed ‘due to security issues’
Kari Lake shares AI image of Trump laughing at indictment news
Friday 31 March 2023 23:30 , Oliver O'Connell
Defeated Arizona GOP gubernatorial nominee Kari Lake tweeted an AI image of Donald Trump laughing at the news of his indictment as fake images showing the former president’s arrest appeared on social media.
Gustaf Kilander reports.
‘Mood’: Kari Lake shares AI image of Trump laughing at news of indictment
EDITORIAL: Trump’s indictment is another demeaning ‘first’ for the 45th president
Friday 31 March 2023 23:00 , Oliver O'Connell
Extraordinary. Unprecedented. Frankly incredible. Donald Trump is the first president or former president to be indicted on a criminal charge and, soon, to be arrested.
It’s a historic moment, and another demeaning “first” for the 45th president of the United States.
Read more...
Editorial: Trump’s indictment is another demeaning ‘first’ for the 45th president
Trump all-caps screed against Bragg, his wife, and radical left continues
Friday 31 March 2023 22:42 , Oliver O'Connell
The former president’s all-caps venting continues on Truth Social, taking aim at Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg, his wife, and radical left democrats.
Trump unleashes another all-caps outburst 24 hours after indictment
Friday 31 March 2023 22:33 , Oliver O'Connell
Former President Donald Trump unleashed another tirade on Truth Social about the “8 YEARS OF VARIOUS POLITICALLY MOTIVATED INVESTIGATIONS, HOAXES, SCAMS, AND WITCH HUNTS” targeting him.
Saying that the investigations have produced “NOTHING” he argues that “THIS MUST MAKE ME THE MOST HONEST AND HONORABLE MAN ANYWHERE IN THE WORLD” as no one else has ever been under such scrutiny.
Nevertheless, in reality, Mr Trump was indicted by a grand jury just 24 hours ago and will appear in court on Tuesday afternoon.
He added a summary.
Stormy Daniels warns Trump indictment will cause ‘injuries and death’
Friday 31 March 2023 22:20 , Oliver O'Connell
Stormy Daniels said Friday she believes the indictment of former President Donald Trump will cause “injuries and deaths,” even as she celebrated the notion of Mr Trump being held accountable for his actions.
In an interview granted to The Times from an undisclosed location in the United States, Ms Daniels, 44, said she believes the indictment will “continue to divide people” as the US deals with an ongoing rise in political violence.
Abe Asher reports on her comments in the aftermath of the indictment of the former president.
Stormy Daniels says Trump indictment will cause ‘injuries and death’
Friday 31 March 2023 22:10 , Oliver O'Connell
Dominion wins partial victory in defamation lawsuit against Fox News
Friday 31 March 2023 22:00 , Oliver O'Connell
A Delaware judge has denied a motion for summary judgment from Fox News in a defamation case brought against the company from Dominion Voting Systems, the subject of baseless conspiracy theories tied to the 2020 presidential election that made their way on the network’s airwaves.
A ruling in Delaware Superior Court on 31 March grants Dominion a partial victory in its motion for summary judgment in the blockbuster lawsuit against the network, which the judge determined broadcast false statements.
Alex Woodward has the details of this breaking news.
Dominion wins partial victory in blockbuster defamation lawsuit against Fox News
Karen McDougal — the other woman in the Trump hush money scandal
Friday 31 March 2023 21:50 , Oliver O'Connell
While much of the public speculation about what is contained in the still-sealed indictment has centered around Stormy Daniels, another woman who received payments to stay silent about Mr Trump may also play a significant role in the unprecedented criminal trial of a former American commander-in-chief.
That woman is Karen McDougal, a former model for Playboy who was voted “Playmate of the Year in 1998”.
Andrew Feinberg reports.
Karen McDougal: Who is the other woman paid hush money over Trump affair?
New Yorkers react to Trump indictment with celebration and relief
Friday 31 March 2023 21:40 , Oliver O'Connell
Alex Woodward, Richard Hall and Ariana Baio report from the streets of Manhattan as New Yorkers marked “a great day in American history”.
New Yorkers react to Trump indictment with celebration and relief
Full list of Republicans showing support for Trump
Friday 31 March 2023 21:30 , Oliver O'Connell
The Trump 2024 campaign has published a list of Republican figures who have jumped to the defence of the former president.
Notably absent... Florida Governor Ron DeSantis.
Trump: From ‘golden handcuff’ jokes to ‘deflated’ and ‘irritated’
Friday 31 March 2023 21:20 , Oliver O'Connell
Donald Trump has veered from making “golden handcuff” jokes to anger after being indicted on criminal charges over hush money payments to Stormy Daniels.
Insiders at Mar-a-Lago revealed that – in the days before the indictment was handed down – Mr Trump had been in high spirits and was joking with aides about the looming charges.
Maroosha Muzaffar has the story of what happened next.
Trump goes from ‘golden handcuff’ jokes to anger inside Mar-a-Lago
Stormy Daniels pulls out of Piers Morgan interview over security issues
Friday 31 March 2023 21:09 , Oliver O'Connell
Piers Morgan has tweeted that Stormy Daniels has postponed an interview with him scheduled for 4pm ET today.
The reason given is “security issues that have arisen”.
UPDATE: Unfortunately, Stormy Daniels has had to suddenly postpone our interview tonight due to some security issues that have arisen. Hope she’s OK.
— Piers Morgan (@piersmorgan) March 31, 2023
Trump to fly to New York on Monday night
Friday 31 March 2023 21:03 , Oliver O'Connell
MSNBC reports that Donald Trump will fly to New York’s LaGuardia Airport on Monday night on his private plane, stay at Trump Tower overnight, and then turn himself in on Tuesday morning.
NBC News: Plans as of now are for Trump to fly to LGA Monday night. Stay at Trump Tower. Surrender Tuesday morning. Appear in Court Tuesday 215 pm. (via @jonathan4ny)
— Lauren Peikoff (@laurenpeikoff) March 31, 2023
His first court appearance will be at 2.15pm as reported earlier.
Breaking on @MSNBC: Donald Trump is expected to surrender Tuesday morning and make his first court appearance at 2:15 pm ET.
— Kyle Griffin (@kylegriffin1) March 31, 2023
Trump keeping track of who came to his defence
Friday 31 March 2023 20:56 , Oliver O'Connell
The Trump 2024 campaign is keeping a close eye on who came to the former president’s defence after the news of the indictment broke.
A long list of quotes was sent out including governors, members of Congress, attorneys general, and former administration officials.
Trump clearly keeping track of who is coming to his defense
His campaign sent around a massive list of quotes from over 100 Republicans defending him amid indictment (ranging from Govs, members of Congress, AGs, and ex admin officials) pic.twitter.com/yDcAinWe8l— Will Steakin (@wsteaks) March 31, 2023
Notably absent? Ron DeSantis.
Trump just sent out more than 100 supportive statements from current and former Republican officeholders following his indictment.
He did not include DeSantis' statement— Allan Smith (@akarl_smith) March 31, 2023
How George Soros became a target for Trump and Fox News with Alvin Bragg’s investigation
Friday 31 March 2023 20:45 , Oliver O'Connell
Alex Woodward explains how the former president and his allies claim billionaire philanthropist George Soros ‘bought’ and ‘hand picked’ the Manhattan prosecutor, wrapping up the indictment in long-running antisemitic conspiracy theories.
How George Soros became a target for Trump and Fox News
Manhattan DA office reprimands House GOP for ‘interference’ in Trump case
Friday 31 March 2023 20:36 , Oliver O'Connell
Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg defended his office’s decision to indict Donald Trump on Thursday evening.
A letter to Republican lawmakers from General Counsel Leslie Dubeck rejected the “baseless and inflammatory allegations that [the] investigation is politically motivated”.
“That conclusion is misleading and meritless,” the six-page letter to three House Republican committee chairs continues.
The indictment, which remains under seal, sparked a wave of attacks from allies of the former president — many of which called it a political witch hunt.
Mr Bragg’s office used the letter to Jim Jordan, chair of the House judiciary committee; Bryan Steil, chair of the House administration committee; and James Comer, chair of the House oversight and accountability committee, to respond to those allegations.
“Like any other defendant, Mr Trump is entitled to challenge these charges in court and avail himself of all processes and protections that New York State’s robust criminal procedure affords. What neither Mr Trump nor Congress may do is interfere with the ordinary course of proceedings in New York State,” the letter states.
The letter also pleads with the lawmakers for calm while accusing them of engaging in “unlawful political interference”, referring to their own letters to Mr Bragg’s office demanding information on the case.
“We urge you to refrain from these inflammatory accusations, withdraw your demand for information, and let the criminal justice process proceed without unlawful political interference,” the letter reads.
“As Committee Chairmen, you could use the stature of your office to denounce these attacks and urge respect for the fairness of our justice system and for the work of the impartial grand jury,” Ms Dubeck writes.
“Instead, you and many of your colleagues have chosen to collaborate with Mr Trump’s efforts to vilify and denigrate the integrity of elected state prosecutors and trial judges and made unfounded allegations that the Office’s investigation, conducted via an independent grand jury of average citizens serving New York State, is politically motivated.”
Ms Dubeck also addressed the issue of the use of federal funding in the investigation. She noted this amounted to approximately $5,000 and that was money the office helped recover during forfeiture actions.
House Republicans have threatened — and are supposedly preparing — a subpoena of Mr Bragg, to answer their questions.
In the letter, Ms Dubeck urged them to reach a “negotiated resolution … before taking the unprecedented and unconstitutional step of serving a subpoena on a district attorney for information related to an ongoing state criminal prosecution.”
Here’s the full letter:
More from Bragg’s office to Comer, Steil & Jordan: “As Committee Chairmen, you could use the stature of your office to denounce these attacks and urge respect for the fairness of our justice system and for the work of the impartial grand jury…” https://t.co/sHghlfYdud pic.twitter.com/sIoHx1JVUM
— Jacqueline Alemany (@JaxAlemany) March 31, 2023
Young Republicans are not taking the Trump indictment well
Friday 31 March 2023 20:20 , Oliver O'Connell
Supporters of Donald Trump were predictably apoplectic following the announcement on Thursday evening that the former president was indicted by a Manhattan grand jury.
Among the chorus of conservative voices shouting in despair, one stood out; a group of young Republicans who likened the former president to a personified American soul.
Graig Graziosi has the story.
Young Republicans are not taking the Trump indictment well
Watch: Lincoln Project mocks pro-Trump GOP’s reaction to indictment
Friday 31 March 2023 20:07 , Oliver O'Connell
The party of law and order's 2024 front runner will soon have a mug shot, and they're handling it exactly as you'd expect. pic.twitter.com/a4wldokpCk
— The Lincoln Project (@ProjectLincoln) March 31, 2023
Ivanka Trump: ‘Pained’ for father and country
Friday 31 March 2023 20:00 , Oliver O'Connell
Ivanka Trump has broken her silence on her father’s criminal indictment to say that she is “pained” for both her parent and her country.
Donald Trump’s daughter finally released a brief statement on Instagram just before midday ET on Friday – around 18 hours after a grand jury voted to indict the former president on criminal charges over the 2016 hush money payments to Stormy Daniels.
Rachel Sharp has the story.
Ivanka Trump breaks silence on her father’s indictment
Stormy Daniels has no regrets: ‘It was the right thing to do’
Friday 31 March 2023 19:53 , Oliver O'Connell
Stormy Daniels told The Times she has no regrets about speaking out regarding the former president, and acknowledges that while her profession made it easy for people to try and discredit her, she also could not be shamed.
Her profession made it simple for Trump to discredit her, she says. “Can you think of a single time that ‘porn star’ wasn’t put in front of my name? Imagine if I did something else — would ‘school teacher Stormy Daniels, or ‘accountant Stormy Daniels’ have ever been printed? No, it was salacious and used against me and used to ruin my credibility.”
But, she says, it also went in her favour. “Because I couldn’t be shamed. I couldn’t be threatened with nude photos — they are everywhere.”
Still, she does not regret speaking up. “Sometimes in the moment, I’m like, ‘What the f*** was I thinking? Was it worth it?’
“But I wouldn’t be able to look at myself in the mirror,” she says. “If I could go back far enough to where I did go to the hotel that night, I wouldn’t have done that. But . . . coming forward, I would do the same thing again. Because it was the right thing to do.”
Senate Sergeant at Arms and Capitol Police warn of Trump indictment demos
Friday 31 March 2023 19:48 , Oliver O'Connell
The Senate Sergeant-at-Arms and the US Capitol Police tell Senate staff they “anticipate demonstration activity across the country related to the indictment of former President Trump.”
There are no specific threats to the Capitol at this time but USCP will increase its presence around Capitol Hill.
NEWS — Senate Sergeant-at-Arms and USCP tell Senate staff they “anticipate demonstration activity across the country related to the indictment of former President Trump.”
No specific, credible threats at this time, but USCP will boost its presence around the Hill pic.twitter.com/Ppv98WkUwo— Andrew Desiderio (@AndrewDesiderio) March 31, 2023
Tearful Lindsey Graham begs Trump fans to give him money
Friday 31 March 2023 19:40 , Oliver O'Connell
Thursday was a very emotional night for right-wing media.
Rachel Sharp reports on Lindsey Graham’s appearance on Hannity.
Tearful Lindsey Graham begs Trump fans to give him money to fight indictment
Watch: Don Jr compares indictment of father to actions of Putin
Friday 31 March 2023 19:32 , Oliver O'Connell
Donald Trump Jr. on his father's indictment: "The people who are screaming about Ukraine and wanting to jail Putin, there's some irony that we are doing that here in our own country." pic.twitter.com/wgNnORiSGW
— Republican Accountability (@AccountableGOP) March 31, 2023
NYPD: ‘No credible threats to city at this time'
Friday 31 March 2023 19:28 , Oliver O'Connell
New York Mayor Eric Adams’ press secretary Fabien Levy:
The NYPD continues to monitor all activity and there are no credible threats to the city at this time. The NYPD always remains prepared to respond to events happening on the ground and keep New Yorkers safe.
NYC Mayor Press Secretary:
"The NYPD continues to monitor all activity and there are no credible threats to the city at this time. The NYPD always remains prepared to respond to events happening on the ground and keep New Yorkers safe."— Kyle Griffin (@kylegriffin1) March 31, 2023
Profile: Alvin Bragg — the district attorney who prosecuted Trump
Friday 31 March 2023 19:20 , Oliver O'Connell
Who is Alvin Bragg? The Manhattan district attorney who prosecuted Donald Trump
Stormy Daniels was out riding her horse when indictment news broke
Friday 31 March 2023 19:10 , Oliver O'Connell
More from Stormy Daniels’ interview with The Times:
The news of the indictment, which came on Thursday afternoon in the United States, was, she says, “a shock. There was no warning.” She’d taken a nap, then gone outside to ride her horse.
“There’s something really ironic and hilarious that I got the news about the indictment while I was sitting on a horse named Redemption,” she says. An accomplished equestrian, she used part of the $130,000 she was paid by Trump, via Michael Cohen, to buy a horse trailer.
Watch: ‘Tonight Show' post musical tribute to Trump’s indictment
Friday 31 March 2023 19:05 , Oliver O'Connell
Donald Trump: I’m So Indicted #FallonTonight pic.twitter.com/UJu9vTmfB3
— The Tonight Show (@FallonTonight) March 30, 2023
Use mugshot as political campaign poster, says Dershowitz
Friday 31 March 2023 19:00 , Oliver O'Connell
Lawyer Alan Dershowitz has advised former President Donald Trump to use his mugshot as a campaign and money-making tool.
Gustaf Kilander has the story.
Alan Dershowitz has advice for Trump: Use mugshot as political campaign poster
‘I’m gonna murder you’: Fearful Stormy Daniels describes threats against her
Friday 31 March 2023 18:50 , Oliver O'Connell
Speaking to The Times, Stormy Daniels says the threats against her are now worse and for the first time, she fears for her life.
“The number and the intensity is the same as it was the first time around, but this time it’s straight-up violent,” she says. “The first time it was ‘gold digger’, ‘slut’, ‘whore’, ‘liar’ whatever. And this time it’s ‘I’m gonna murder you’. They’re way more violent and graphic.”
Is she frightened? “For the first time ever, yeah. And part of me is hesitant to say that because you don’t want blood in the water. It kind of encourages the sharks.” But, she says, “it’s especially scary because Trump himself is inciting violence and encouraging it.”
Voices: Donald Trump is in big trouble – but he’s not alone
Friday 31 March 2023 18:40 , Oliver O'Connell
Noah Berlatsky writes:
Former President Donald Trump is in trouble. But Trumpism in the GOP is more powerful than ever. Bigotry, lies, conspiracy theories—even as Trump goes down, his style of rage, resentment, and hatred ascends in the party that elevated him, and which he now embodies.
Read on:
Donald Trump is in big trouble – but he’s not alone
Stormy Daniels says indictment is ‘bittersweet’ vindication
Friday 31 March 2023 18:30 , Oliver O'Connell
Speaking to The Times, Stormy Daniels, the porn star at the centre of the case against former President Donald Trump said of the indictment:
“It’s vindication,” Daniels says, sounding cautious rather than triumphant. “But it’s bittersweet. He’s done so much worse that he should have been taken down [for] before. I am fully aware of the insanity of it being a porn star. But it’s also poetic; this pussy grabbed back.”
Despite being proud of seeing the case against Mr Trump this far, she adds a warning of what may happen next:
“It’s monumental and epic, and I’m proud,” Daniels says. “The other side of it is that it’s going to continue to divide people and bring them up in arms. He’s already gotten away with inciting a riot, and causing death and destruction.
“Whatever the outcome is, it’s going to cause violence, and there’s going to be injuries and death,” she says. “There’s the potential for a lot of good to come from this. But either way, a lot of bad is going to come from it, too.”
Could the indictment boost Trump’s chances for 2024?
Friday 31 March 2023 18:20 , Oliver O'Connell
Eric Garcia speaks to analysts, campaigners, and Republicans themselves about whether it’s really true that the charges against the former president would help carry him to re-election.
Will the indictment boost Trump’s chances for 2024?
Trump cries ‘KANGAROO COURT!’ over Manhattan DA office
Friday 31 March 2023 18:10 , Oliver O'Connell
In his latest screed on Truth Social, Donald Trump sets his sights on other perceived unfairness in the make-up of the Manhattan District Attorney’s office, specifically Matthew Collangelo and former prosecutor Mark Pomerantz.
He concludes with an all-caps: ELECTION INTERFERENCE, KANGAROO COURT!
Last night: Donald and Melania put on a brave face at home among friends
Friday 31 March 2023 18:00 , Oliver O'Connell
Donald and Melania Trump stepped out at Mar-a-Lago last night hours after the news of the criminal indictment against the former president broke.
Maroosha Muzaffar reports on the scene inside and outside the Palm Beach estate.
Trump goes from ‘golden handcuff’ jokes to anger inside Mar-a-Lago
Kristol: ‘Grandstanding’ DeSantis acting ‘cheap and performative’ with Trump extradition comment
Friday 31 March 2023 17:50 , Oliver O'Connell
Bill Kristol, neoconservative writer and editor-at-large of The Bulwark, hit out at Florida Governor Ron DeSantis for his comments about how the state will not assist in the extradition of Donald Trump to New York to face charges.
Here’s what Mr DeSantis said, which many commentators have pointed out is unconstitutional as one state must respect the legal judgment of another state.
The weaponization of the legal system to advance a political agenda turns the rule of law on its head.
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…— Ron DeSantis (@GovRonDeSantis) March 30, 2023
The former president has never said he would not appear before the New York court.
Mr Kristol told Scripps News: “DeSantis is just tossing this off. Obviously, it’s cheap and performative and it doesn’t mean much … He’s just grandstanding … It shows a real contempt for the rule of law in this country.”
Watch below:
.@BillKristol on DeSantis’ refusal to participate in Trump's extradition:
“DeSantis is just tossing this off. Obviously, it’s cheap and performative and it doesn’t mean much…He’s just grandstanding…It shows a real contempt for the rule of law in this country.” pic.twitter.com/Xo3lJ7DMMa— Republican Accountability (@AccountableGOP) March 31, 2023
Report: Trump may appear in same court as Weinstein
Friday 31 March 2023 17:45 , Oliver O'Connell
Molly Crane-Newman, courts reporter for The New York Daily News, reports that Donald Trump is set to appear in the same 15th-floor courtroom where disgraced film producer Harvey Weinstein was convicted in 2020 and sentenced to 23 years in prison. It’s also where the Trump Organization went on trial last winter.
I’m told by a source familiar that Donald Trump is set to appear on Tuesday in the same 15th-floor courtroom where disgraced film producer Harvey Weinstein was convicted in 2020 and sentenced to 23 years in prison. It’s also where the Trump Organization went on trial last winter.
— Molly Crane-Newman (@molcranenewman) March 31, 2023
Don Jr shares tweet claiming Trump indictment is to distract from Nashville shooting
Friday 31 March 2023 17:40 , Oliver O'Connell
Donald Trump Jr shared a tweet by another Twitter user that claimed the indictment of his father was an attempt to make the public forget about the victims of the Nashville school shooting.
The tweet shared by Mr Trump Jr on his Instagram story was a post from the popular rightwing Twitter account Catturd, which shared images of the six victims of the Nashville school shooting. Three children and three adults were killed.
The post, and Mr Trump’s sharing of it, prompted backlash from Twitter users.
Gustaf Kilander has the story.
Don Jr shares tweet claiming Trump indictment is distraction from Nashville shooting
Lindsey Graham has an idea for Trump to avoid prosecution
Friday 31 March 2023 17:25 , Oliver O'Connell
South Carolina Senator Lindsey Graham, one of Donald Trump’s closest allies — though still the same lawmaker who proclaimed that a Trump nomination in 2016 would destroy the Republican Party — took a dig at New York law and order on Friday with a suggestion of how the former president could avoid prosecution.
He tweeted: “On the way to the DA’s office on Tuesday, Trump should smash some windows, rob a few shops and punch a cop. He would be released IMMEDIATELY!”
On the way to the DA’s office on Tuesday, Trump should smash some windows, rob a few shops and punch a cop.
He would be released IMMEDIATELY!— Lindsey Graham (@LindseyGrahamSC) March 31, 2023
Probably not a good idea to suggest committing violent acts against the police to the president who incited the January 6 riot.
Here’s some more sage and sober commentary from the senator last night.
Lindsey Graham bizarrely calls Donald Trump indictment ‘legal voodoo’
Mugshot, fingerprints, handcuffs? What’s next for Trump?
Friday 31 March 2023 17:20 , Oliver O'Connell
Now that former president Donald Trump has been criminally indicted, attention now turns to the process of Mr Trump surrendering himself for arrest.
Authorities had erected barricades outside the Manhattan courthouse where Mr Trump’s arraignment will ultimately occur.
Several questions remain about the step-by-step process for criminally indicting a former president, including the logistics of actually carrying out the task of bringing Mr Trump to the courtroom.
John Bowden takes a look at how things might play out.
Mugshot, fingerprints, handcuffs? The process for indicting Donald Trump
Court officially confirms date and time for Trump arraignment
Friday 31 March 2023 17:10 , Oliver O'Connell
The date and time of the court hearing for the arraignment of former President Donald Trump have been confirmed by the court, setting it up to take place on Tuesday 4 April at 2.15pm ET.
Gustaf Kilander reports on the latest news.
Court officially confirms date and time for Trump arraignment
Ivanka Trump breaks her silence
Friday 31 March 2023 17:05 , Oliver O'Connell
The former president’s elder daughter Ivanka Trump has broken her silence on her father’s indictment and upcoming arraignment.
On her Instagram account, she posted a simple message in a story: “I love my father, and I love my country. Today, I am pained for both.”
She added: “I appreciate the voices across the political spectrum expressing support and concern.”
Ivanka Trump posts statement on her Instagram story about her father’s indictment pic.twitter.com/wGDoXI79mB
— Emily Goodin (@Emilylgoodin) March 31, 2023
Trump ‘viciously appealing’ to block judge assigned to hush money trial
Friday 31 March 2023 16:59 , Oliver O'Connell
Donald Trump has lashed out at the judge assigned to the case against him relating to hush money payments to porn star Stormy Daniels.
Following Thursday evening’s surprise indictment of the former president — which reportedly caught him and his team off guard — Mr Trump has been angrily sharing his grievances about the situation on his social media platform, Truth Social.
On Friday morning he turned his attention to Judge Juan Merchan who will take up the case when it reaches court.
Read on:
Trump ‘viciously appealing’ to block judge assigned to hush money trial
Court confirms Trump arraignment for Tuesday afternoon
Friday 31 March 2023 16:53 , Oliver O'Connell
New York court officials have confirmed that former President Donald Trump will be arraigned on Tuesday afternoon at the New York County Criminal Court in Lower Manhattan.
NEW YORK (AP) — New York court officials say former President Donald Trump will be arraigned Tuesday afternoon at Manhattan courthouse.
— Jonathan Lemire (@JonLemire) March 31, 2023
When would Trump’s trial take place?
Friday 31 March 2023 16:40 , Oliver O'Connell
Andrew Feinberg takes a look at the potential timeline leading up to a day in court now that the former president has been indicted.
When will Donald Trump face trial?
Trump attorney says DA wanted Trump to surrender today
Friday 31 March 2023 16:23 , Oliver O'Connell
NBC News reports that the Manhattan District Attorney’s office initially wanted Donald Trump to turn himself in today.
The network cites the former president’s attorney Joe Tacopina.
Mr Tacopina says he and other aides pushed back on the request saying that the Secret Service needed more time to prepare.
NBC News: Trump attorney Joe Tacopina confirms to @NBCNews that the Manhattan DA's office wanted Trump to turn himself in and surrender TODAY, but Tacopina, along with other aides, rebuffed the request — saying the Secret Service needed more time to prepare.
— Kyle Griffin (@kylegriffin1) March 31, 2023
Can you still run for president from jail?
Friday 31 March 2023 16:20 , Oliver O'Connell
It’s the question everyone is asking, and The Independent’s John Bowden is here to answer it.
Can you still run for president from jail?
Pence: Trump indictment ‘nothing short of a political prosecution’
Friday 31 March 2023 16:14 , Oliver O'Connell
Former Vice President Mike Pence, regarding the indictment of Donald Trump, says: “The unprecedented indictment of a former president of the U.S. for a campaign finance issue is an outrage and I think it’s clear to the overwhelming majority of the American people this is nothing short of a political prosecution.”
Further, Mr Pence says it sends a terrible message to the wider world about American justice, “because I have to tell you there are dictators and authoritarians around the world that will point to that to justify their own abuse of their own so-called justice system”.
Watch below:
.@Mike_Pence on former Pres. Trump indictment: "The unprecedented indictment of a former president of the U.S. for a campaign finance issue is an outrage and I think it's clear to the overwhelming majority of the American people this is nothing short of a political prosecution." pic.twitter.com/memMhpwTZ9
— CSPAN (@cspan) March 31, 2023
How many investigations is Trump facing?
Friday 31 March 2023 16:00 , Oliver O'Connell
After years of investigations, blind alleys, dead ends and false starts, prosecutors in New York City have obtained an indictment against former president Donald Trump.
But Mr Trump may soon have more to worry about than the case against him in the city he once called home because the Manhattan DA’s office is not the only set of law enforcement officials pursuing investigations into his conduct.
The former president is under several congressional, civil and criminal investigations, which range from his business interests and allegations of tax fraud to his efforts to undermine the 2020 presidential election and fuel violence at the US Capitol.
In addition to Mr Trump, his family business, real estate interests, and political allies are also under scrutiny from federal investigators, state attorneys, and members of Congress.
Alex Woodward is keeping track of the key probes involving the former president and where they currently stand:
Jan 6, Mar-a-Lago and a golf course: The investigations Donald Trump is facing
All quiet at Trump Tower
Friday 31 March 2023 15:46 , Oliver O'Connell
Alex Woodward reports from Midtown Manhattan:
The morning after the announcement of a criminal indictment against Donald Trump, news crews are parked across the street from his namesake skyscraper on Fifth Avenue. Half a dozen cameras are stationed outside Prada and Abercrombie & Fitch.
Outside Trump Tower itself – where the former president launched his 2016 campaign after descending the “golden escalators” – one NYPD officer hangs out alongside the doorman.
The building is still open to the public. Tourists passing by either don’t notice where they are or stop briefly for a photo and keep walking.
Trump lawyer says Secret Service protocol dictates no handcuffs
Friday 31 March 2023 15:42 , Oliver O'Connell
Donald Trump’s lawyer Joe Tacopina tells CBS that it is his understanding that Secret Service protocol dictates whether the former president would be put in handcuffs, and he would not.
However, he adds that it is a matter for the Secret Service and not a legal team issue.
Talks continue with the Manhattan District Attorney’s office on other fronts.
Trump lawyer Joe Tacopina tells CBS that his understanding is that Secret Service protocol will lead to Trump not being put in handcuffs. BUT, he adds, that it is a Secret Service matter, not a Trump legal team issue, and that talks continue with the DA's office on other fronts.
— Robert Costa (@costareports) March 31, 2023
Voices: Trump has lived a life of corruption. Accountability is finally on its way
Friday 31 March 2023 15:40 , Oliver O'Connell
Ahmed Baba writes:
While there was plenty of anticipation for an upcoming Trump indictment due to Trump’s claims, it still shocked many. An audible gasp could be heard on Fox News as they broke the news. New York Times reporter Maggie Haberman reported that the news of the Manhattan Grand Jury indictment surprised Trump and his team at Mar-a-Lago. Even after all the noise they made about a looming arrest, the Trump team apparently thought the upcoming month-long grand jury pause meant no indictment was imminent. They were wrong.
Read on:
Trump has lived a life of corruption. Accountability is finally on its way
Biden found out about indictment ‘just like every other American'
Friday 31 March 2023 15:33 , Oliver O'Connell
White House press secretary Karine Jean Pierre told reporters that President Joe Biden found out about the indictment against his predecessor as everyone else did, from news organisations.
“We found out, all of us, including the president, found out about the news yesterday, just like every American, through the news reports.”
She added that his Chief of Staff Jeff Zients was with him when the news broke.
President Biden found out about Trump's indictment "just like ever other American, through the news reports," @PressSec says. "His chief of staff, Jeff Zients, let him know what occurred."
Jean-Pierre reiterated that the White House won't comment further on the indictment.— Joey Garrison (@joeygarrison) March 31, 2023
Marjorie Taylor Greene claims ‘Democrats want civil war’
Friday 31 March 2023 15:20 , Oliver O'Connell
Marjorie Taylor Greene has claimed that “Democrats want civil war” and she launched a personal attack on porn actor Stormy Daniels as Republicans lash out after the Manhattan grand jury voted to indict former President Donald Trump.
Gustaf Kilander reports.
MTG says ‘Democrats want civil war’ as she calls Stormy ‘disgusting’ after indictment
Rep Greene also says she plans to be in New York on Tuesday to protest.
I’m going to New York on Tuesday.
We MUST protest the unconstitutional WITCH HUNT!— Marjorie Taylor Greene 🇺🇸 (@mtgreenee) March 31, 2023
Biden ‘won’t be talking about Trump’s indictment’
Friday 31 March 2023 15:15 , Oliver O'Connell
President Joe Biden has declined to weigh in on the unprecedented criminal charges against his predecessor, continuing his administration’s practice of not discussing ongoing criminal investigations or pending criminal cases.
The Independent’s White House correspondent Andrew Feinberg reports.
Biden says he ‘won’t be talking about Trump’s indictment’
VP Harris declines to comment on indictment
Friday 31 March 2023 15:10 , Oliver O'Connell
Currently on an official tour of Africa, Vice President Kamala Harris was asked at a press conference in Lusaka about the indictment of former president Donald Trump.
“I am not going to comment on an ongoing criminal case as it relates to the former president” VP Harris https://t.co/CHwgil5KCR
— Kelly O'Donnell (@KellyO) March 31, 2023
She declined to comment saying it was part of an “ongoing criminal investigation asit relates the former president”, with Zambian president, Hakainde Hichilema, then speaking generally about the rule of law.
The scene in downtown Manhattan
Friday 31 March 2023 15:02 , Oliver O'Connell
The Independent’s Alex Woodward reports from downtown Manhattan:
Dozens of reporters and news camera crews are still stationed outside New York County Criminal Court on Monday morning, hours after District Attorney Alvin Bragg announced a grand jury criminal indictment against the former president.
NYPD officers and security with nearby buildings are posted up outside the building along with barricades at the ready.
Voices: Trump will believe an indictment can help him become president again. Can it?
Friday 31 March 2023 15:00 , Oliver O'Connell
Chris Stevenson writes:
For many, this turn of events would mark the end of any political career, stopped dead in its tracks by the seriousness of events and the weight of history. But Trump has already shown his disregard for taking the dignified path.
Read more:
Opinion: Will Trump’s indictment help him become president again?
Hewitt: Worries about violence is ‘a trope’ but ‘criminalisation of politics is very bad'
Friday 31 March 2023 14:48 , Oliver O'Connell
Conservative radio host Hugh Hewitt was asked by Washington Post Live host Karen Tumulty about the possibility of violence and the reaction of parts of the rightwing media following news of the indictment of former president Donald Trump.
“I am not worried about violence … I think that's a trope. But I do think the criminalisation of politics is very bad,” he replied.
He did note however that on the morning of January 6 he told Megyn Kelly that he thought everything would be fine.
Watch below:
.@hughhewitt tells @ktumulty, “I am not worried about violence … I think that's a trope. But I do think the criminalization of politics is very bad." pic.twitter.com/hKfZYBqE7k
— Washington Post Live (@PostLive) March 31, 2023
Trump’s tough guy posture ahead of looming indictment isn’t fooling these insiders
Friday 31 March 2023 14:45 , Oliver O'Connell
The Independent’s White House correspondent Andrew Feinberg writes:
[M]ultiple people who have been close to Mr Trump in the past and understand his way of thinking say the confidence he projects in interviews and in public appearances belies a complete inability to grasp what it will mean for him to become a defendant in a criminal case.
These former Trumpworld insiders told The Independent the ex-president’s decades of evading responsibility for his actions and his past ability to neutralise legal jeopardy with a combination of bluster and litigation tactics has left him incredibly ill-equipped for what could lie ahead of him if any of the grand juries hearing evidence against him votes out an indictment.
Read the full article:
Trump’s posture over indictment isn’t fooling these insiders
Warren: Indictment shows ‘foundational piece of our democracy is holding'
Friday 31 March 2023 14:41 , Oliver O'Connell
Senator Elizabeth Warren appeared on CBS Mornings today and was asked about the indictment of former president Donald Trump.
“No one is above the law, not even a former president of the United States,” she said.
The Massachusetts Democrat added that the indictment is proof that a “foundational piece of our democracy is holding”.
She went on the urge Americans to “take a deep breath” and let the process move forward.
“No one is above the law, not even a former president of the United States”: @SenWarren says the indictment of former Pres. Trump is proof that “a foundational piece of our democracy is holding” — and urges Americans to “take a deep breath” and let the process move forward. pic.twitter.com/gWJMIxeH5Z
— CBS Mornings (@CBSMornings) March 31, 2023
Click here to read the full blog on The Independent's website
