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| 'I can be arrested' Why did Trump call for widespread protests? |
Former US President Donald Trump has expressed fears that he could be arrested on Tuesday and has urged his supporters to stage mass protests against the possible move.
However, his lawyer has made it clear that no contact has been made by the law enforcement agencies for his arrest and the former president has expressed his apprehension when media reports surfaced.
There are reports that prosecutors are considering indicting former President Trump next week. If he is indicted, it will be the first criminal case against a former US president.
The case centers on Trump's lawyer paying porn star Stormy Daniels to remain silent before the 2016 presidential election.
The allegation against 76-year-old former President Trump is one of several cases he is being investigated for. However, till now Trump has been denying all these allegations and he has not been indicted in this regard yet.
Donald Trump, on the other hand, has vowed to continue his campaign as the Republican presidential candidate in 2024, even if he is indicted.
In the past, Trump is also facing two impeachment cases against him. Relations with Russia and raids on his residence have increased rather than diminished his popularity. So there is a strong possibility that the indictment may also increase his fame.
It is not yet clear whether he will be charged next week or something else, but the former president has called on supporters to prepare for mass protests, predicting his arrest.
Keep in mind that Trump has a large number of supporters. On January 6, 2021, his supporters stormed the US Capitol Hill, proving how a protest can escalate into violent action.
On Saturday, Trump wrote on his social media site "Truth Social" that "sources from the Manhattan District Attorney's office said that he will be arrested on Tuesday."
The district attorney's office has yet to comment on his prediction, but Trump's lawyer, Susan Knuckles, says her team has not been told anything by law enforcement officials.
"Because this is a political operation, the District Attorney's office is busy leaking everything to the press instead of talking to former President Trump's lawyers."
Republican Speaker of the US House of Representatives, Kevin McCarthy, has criticized the investigation against Trump, calling it an abuse of power by a biased district attorney. In one of his tweets, he also demanded an investigation into allegations of political interference in elections through federal funds.
A possible indictment of Trump would pose a complex and divisive question for his rivals in the Republican Party whether to step up their aggressive criticism of the former president. While Trump's attention is likely focused elsewhere or hoping for better results without making himself stand out.
What can be done next?
1. A grand jury may complete its investigation.
Former Trump lawyer Michael Cohen and aides Kellyanne Conway and Hope Hicks are among those believed to have provided all the evidence so far. According to experts, the fact that former President Trump's team has declined the invitation to appear before the court is a sign that the case is almost over.
According to reports, a final witness before the court is likely to testify on Monday.
2. The prosecution will decide whether to indict
After the investigation is complete, the grand jury votes on whether to prosecute the charges under criminal negligence, but is not bound by that decision. It is then up to Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg to determine which charges to pursue if proven, and there is no set deadline.
It can be a legal decision on the one hand and a political decision on the other hand.
3. Trump's possible court appearance in New York
The former US president has never been indicted before, but Trump's lawyer has assured that he will follow the legal process. In such cases, a defendant is usually either arrested or confesses to authorities and may be handcuffed if the individual is accused of committing a serious crime.
After that, the photo and fingerprints of the accused are taken for legal action. After a preliminary hearing, called an arraignment, the defendant in such a white-collar crime case is usually released until the next appearance.
Stormy Daniels admitted to having an affair with Donald Trump in 2011
Porn star Stormy Daniels' case is about how Trump paid his lawyer Michael Cohen $130,000.
Stormy said in an interview in 2011 that she had connections with Donald Trump.
Michael Cohen's payment records say the payment was for legal fees. In this case, prosecutors may say that the payment falsified Trump's business records proving the same is considered a misdemeanor in New York.
According to the AP news agency, Trump is being considered to be presented in court, in which he can also be asked questions about American security.
Donald Trump is facing an investigation into allegedly influencing his efforts to win the 2020 presidential election in the US state of Georgia, but it is unclear whether the former president is being directly investigated in the matter.
The US Department of Justice is also investigating whether classified government documents were misused after Trump left office.
The January 6 Capitol Hill attack and a broader effort to undermine the results of the presidential election three years ago are also being considered by authorities.