Former President Donald Trump was indicted by a Manhattan grand jury Thursday for his role in a $130,000 hush money payment to Stormy Daniels in the days before the 2016 election.
Trump predicted he’d be arrested earlier this month, posting on his social media site Truth Social that his supporters should “PROTEST, TAKE OUR NATION BACK.” He later warned there could be “potential death and destruction” if he should be charged with a crime .
Read live updates on the aftermath of the grand jury’s vote below:
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Heres The Latest
If youre just joining us Friday, here are some key updates:
- Trump was indicted by a Manhattan grand jury on Thursday, about 26 months after leaving office. He is to be arraigned Tuesday in New York, court officials said . While we do not yet know what specific charges are being levied against him, the investigation stemmed from the hush-money payment made to adult film actor Stormy Daniels in the weeks leading up to the 2016 presidential election.
- Many of Trumps top Republican allies have come out with statements denouncing the indictment .
- After sharing a prepared statement on Truth Social decrying the "Political Persecution," Trump has been sharing clip after clip from right-wing news networks like Fox News that covered his indictment, along with his allies' Truth Social posts. Thats between his apparently off-the-cuff posts about what he calls the Witch Hunt Case."
- Trump lawyer Joe Tacopina said his client was initially shocked to hear hed been indicted.
- The Biden White House has declined to comment.
At Least One Felony Charge: Report
More news about the indictment continues to trickle out. The Associated Press reported Friday evening that at least one of the charges against Trump is a felony charge, according to two people familiar with the matter. He's reportedly facing more than 30 counts total.
Looking Ahead To Next Week
NBC New York reports that Trump will fly to New York on Monday and stay the night in Trump Tower before surrendering Tuesday morning.
We'll continue covering news around the indictment through the weekend on HuffPost.com .
We'll continue covering news around the indictment through the weekend on HuffPost.com .
Federal Authorities Warn Senate Over Potential Threats, Protests
Senate staff were briefed Friday over the potential for credible threats against the Capitol and demonstrations related to Trumps indictment.
A joint memo by United States Capitol Police and the Senate sergeant-at-arms states that authorities havent identified any specific threats thus far, but warns about the potential for unrest nationwide following Trumps indictment.
"There is potential for demonstration activity so you may observe a greater law enforcement presence on Capitol Hill," the memo reads.
A joint memo by United States Capitol Police and the Senate sergeant-at-arms states that authorities havent identified any specific threats thus far, but warns about the potential for unrest nationwide following Trumps indictment.
"There is potential for demonstration activity so you may observe a greater law enforcement presence on Capitol Hill," the memo reads.
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Stormy Daniels: 'It's Vindication'
In an interview with The Times of London , Daniels called Trump's indictment "vindication."
"I am fully aware of the insanity of it being a porn star. But its also poetic; this pussy grabbed back," she said, referencing a tape of Trump that was made public just before the 2016 election in which he declared he could grab women "by the pussy" because he's "a star."
Daniels did express concern over how the indictment would "divide people," noting Trump has "already gotten away with inciting a riot."
Whatever the outcome is, its going to cause violence, and theres going to be injuries and death, Daniels said. Theres 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.
"I am fully aware of the insanity of it being a porn star. But its also poetic; this pussy grabbed back," she said, referencing a tape of Trump that was made public just before the 2016 election in which he declared he could grab women "by the pussy" because he's "a star."
Daniels did express concern over how the indictment would "divide people," noting Trump has "already gotten away with inciting a riot."
Whatever the outcome is, its going to cause violence, and theres going to be injuries and death, Daniels said. Theres 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.
Ivanka Trump: Pained For Dad And USA
Trumps eldest daughter waited a beat before making any public comment on the indictment. While her brothers posted in the minutes after the news broke, Ivanka Trump added a note to her Instagram Story on Friday.
I love my father, and I love my country. Today, I am pained for both. I appreciate the voices across the political spectrum expressing support and concern," she said.
I love my father, and I love my country. Today, I am pained for both. I appreciate the voices across the political spectrum expressing support and concern," she said.
Trump Rages Against Judge Assigned To Case
In yet another post to Truth Social, Trump claimed the judge assigned to his case HATES him.
His name is Juan Manuel Marchan, was hand picked by [Manhattan District Attorney Alvin] Bragg & the Prosecutors, Trump said, misspelling Merchan, the judge involved in the case against former Trump Organization CFO Allen Weisselberg. The former CFO is serving time on Rikers Island after pleading guilty to tax fraud.
He strong armed Allen, which a judge is not allowed to do, & treated my companies, which didn't plead, VICIOUSLY. APPEALING! Trump wrote.
His name is Juan Manuel Marchan, was hand picked by [Manhattan District Attorney Alvin] Bragg & the Prosecutors, Trump said, misspelling Merchan, the judge involved in the case against former Trump Organization CFO Allen Weisselberg. The former CFO is serving time on Rikers Island after pleading guilty to tax fraud.
He strong armed Allen, which a judge is not allowed to do, & treated my companies, which didn't plead, VICIOUSLY. APPEALING! Trump wrote.
White House: Biden Found Out About Trump Indictment Through News Reports
White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre declined to comment on Trump's indictment, and said the White House learned of the grand jury's decision through the media.
All of us, including the president, found out about the news yesterday, just like every other American through the news reports," Jean-Pierre told reporters aboard a flight to Mississippi.
All of us, including the president, found out about the news yesterday, just like every other American through the news reports," Jean-Pierre told reporters aboard a flight to Mississippi.
Jared Kushner: 'It's Been Hard To Watch' Trump Indictment
Donald Trump's son-in-law Jared Kushner on Friday called the ex-president's indictment "unprecedented," adding that the criminal charges are politically motivated.
"As an American, it's very troubling to me to see the leader of the opposition party be indicted, and I think that that shows obviously the fear that the Democrats have of Trump and the political strength that he has," Kushner said from the stage of the FII Institute's Priotity summit in Miami .
"As a family member, obviously Ivanka and I love him very much, it's been hard to watch the opponents of him politically continue to break every norm over the last years to try to get him," Kushner continued.
Kushner said those challenges won't hold Trump back.
"I've been by him during a lot of these instances and it's only made him stronger," he said.
"As an American, it's very troubling to me to see the leader of the opposition party be indicted, and I think that that shows obviously the fear that the Democrats have of Trump and the political strength that he has," Kushner said from the stage of the FII Institute's Priotity summit in Miami .
"As a family member, obviously Ivanka and I love him very much, it's been hard to watch the opponents of him politically continue to break every norm over the last years to try to get him," Kushner continued.
Kushner said those challenges won't hold Trump back.
"I've been by him during a lot of these instances and it's only made him stronger," he said.
VP Harris: No Comment
Vice President Kamala Harris declined to weigh in on Donald Trump's indictment during a news conference in Lusaka, Zambia .
"I am not going to comment on an ongoing criminal case as it relates to the former president," Harris said in an appearance alongside Zambian President Hakainde Hichilema.
"I am not going to comment on an ongoing criminal case as it relates to the former president," Harris said in an appearance alongside Zambian President Hakainde Hichilema.
Trump's Sharing A Lot Of Fox News Clips
Trump kept busy posting to his social media platform Truth Social on Friday morning, sharing more than 15 video clips from Fox News' coverage of his indictment.
His campaign also sent another fundraising email tied to the indictment, sharing quotes from Trump describing "the battle I willingly signed up for when I decided to take on the entire Washington Machine as a political outsider 8 years ago, and be YOUR voice."
His campaign also sent another fundraising email tied to the indictment, sharing quotes from Trump describing "the battle I willingly signed up for when I decided to take on the entire Washington Machine as a political outsider 8 years ago, and be YOUR voice."
Warren: 'Take A Deep Breath'
Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) on Friday shared her reaction to the news of Donald Trump's indictment.
"No one is above the law," Warren said. "Not even a former president of the United States."
Warren said the Manhattan grand jury's decision demonstrated that "a foundational piece of our democracy is holding, that it is possible to have an independent investigation."
Asked if she is worried about possible violence amid Trump's call for supporters to protest, Warren replied: "Violence is never the answer."
"I think that's why it's important for as many people as possible to take a deep breath," Warren continued.
"No one is above the law," Warren said. "Not even a former president of the United States."
Warren said the Manhattan grand jury's decision demonstrated that "a foundational piece of our democracy is holding, that it is possible to have an independent investigation."
Asked if she is worried about possible violence amid Trump's call for supporters to protest, Warren replied: "Violence is never the answer."
"I think that's why it's important for as many people as possible to take a deep breath," Warren continued.
AP
Trump Supporters Out In Palm Beach
Trang Le of Orlando, right, and Maria Korynsel of North Palm Beach, show their support for Trump near Trump's Mar-a-Lago estate in Palm Beach, Florida.
Trump Team Will Try To Get Case Dismissed, Lawyer Says
James Trusty, a lawyer who represents Donald Trump in the classified documents probe, told "CNN This Morning" he expects the former president's legal team to try to get the Stormy Daniels charges dismissed.
I would think in very short order, you'll see a motion to dismiss or several motions to dismiss," Trusty said.
Asked if he anticipates those motions to be filed before the indictment is unsealed on Tuesday, Trusty said "it will be soon."
"I think this will be something you can expect in days or weeks, not weeks or months," Trusty added.
I would think in very short order, you'll see a motion to dismiss or several motions to dismiss," Trusty said.
Asked if he anticipates those motions to be filed before the indictment is unsealed on Tuesday, Trusty said "it will be soon."
"I think this will be something you can expect in days or weeks, not weeks or months," Trusty added.
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