United States: A New York jury has indicted former United States President Donald Trump on charges related to an alleged hush money payment made to a porn star ahead of the 2016 presidential election.
The Manhattan jury voted to indict Mr. Trump, making him the first former president to face criminal prosecution in US history.
The office of Manhattan District Attorney Mr. Alvin Bragg issued a statement saying prosecutors are working with Mr. Trump’s lawyers to arrange his surrender.
“Guidance will be provided when the arraignment date is selected,” the statement added.
The former President responded to the indictment by calling it “political persecution and election interference at the highest level in history”.
According to Mr. Trump, the case was part of a coordinated “witch hunt” against him, and he added that he is completely innocent.
The New York investigation centres on a $130,000 payment that Mr. Michael Cohen, Trump’s former personal lawyer and fixer, made to porn star Ms. Stormy Daniels in the waning days of the former president’s 2016 campaign.
The Republican leader called on his supporters to protest in a social media post that raised concerns about potential violence, especially in light of the January 6, 2021, storming of the US Capitol by a pro-Trump mob.
The Florida Governor Mr. Ron DeSantis, who is expected to challenge Mr. Trump for the Republican nomination in 2024, called the indictment “un-American.”
Mr. DeSantis added that he will “not assist in an extradition request given the questionable circumstances at issue.”
The Democrat Mr. Adam Schiff, who played a prominent role in Mr. Trump’s first impeachment trial, called the indictment “unprecedented.”
“But so too is the unlawful conduct in which Mr. Trump has been engaged. A nation of laws must hold the rich and powerful accountable, even when they hold high office,” Mr. Schiff added.
WORLD ROUNDUP: UK ‘strikingly unprepared’ to tackle impacts of climate changes
