Donald Trump Expects to be Arrested on Tuesday and Urges Supporters to Launch Protests

Trump’s Claim of Expected Arrest

Former US President, Donald Trump, announced on social networking site, Truth Social, that he expects to be arrested on Tuesday, calling for his supporters to launch mass protests, despite no communication from law enforcement, according to his lawyer. Reports suggest that prosecutors are investigating Mr Trump for alleged hush money paid to porn star, Stormy Daniels, by his lawyer before the 2016 presidential election.

Details of the Investigation

Mr Trump is currently being investigated for several cases, although no charges have been made and the former president denies wrongdoing in all of them. The hush money case is one of the more notable, as impeachment trials, the Russia investigation, and the Mar-a-Lago raid have previously had a minimal impact on his followers.

What Happens Next?

It is not yet known what specific criminal charges Mr Trump may face, or whether he will be charged at all. The announcement of his expected arrest has created a sense of unease among lawmakers, both Democrat and Republican, due to the possibility of mass protests and political uproar.

The Trump Campaign in the Future

Mr Trump has pledged to continue his campaign to become the Republican nominee in the 2024 presidential election, even if he is indicted. Past history suggests that any efforts to investigate Mr Trump has made him more popular with his base, which could give him an advantage in future primaries.

Reaction from Politicians and Officials

The Republican Speaker of the US House of Representatives, Kevin McCarthy, has criticised the investigation, calling it “an outrageous abuse of power by a radical DA [district attorney],” and there are concerns of him flexing further governmental power. The investigation could potentially calculate a significant measure for Trump’s rivals within the Republican Party.

Details of the Stormy Daniels Case

The Stormy Daniels case centres around whether Mr Trump reimbursed his lawyer Michael Cohen after Cohen paid the porn star $130,000. Prosecutors say this may have been despite Mr Trump falsifying business records, which is a misdemeanour in New York.

The Legal Process and Possibility of Indictment

Once the investigation is complete, the grand jury votes on whether to recommend charges, but their verdict is not binding. Ultimately, Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg must determine what charges (if any) to bring.

Typically, a defendant is either arrested or surrenders to the authorities. If defendants are arrested for a more serious charge, they would be handcuffed and then taken into custody where their photo and fingerprints would be taken. After an initial hearing, the defendant will usually be released until the next court date.

Other Investigations Involving Trump

Donald Trump faces a separate investigation over efforts to overturn his narrow loss in the state of Georgia in the 2020 presidential election. The Department of Justice is also looking into whether classified government documents were handled incorrectly after Mr Trump left office, as well as other attempts to undermine the 2016 presidential election, including the 6 January Capitol attack.

Credit: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-65000325

ENND