Donald Trump on Thursday was indicted by a Manhattan grand jury in the Stormy Daniels hush money case. With the vote, the 76-year-old becomes the first US President – former or current – to face criminal charges.
Trump is a twice-impeached former president. He could now face arrest by Manhattan DA Alvin Bragg’s office. The Republican had earlier this month said that he was expecting to be arrested on March 20. However, dates were pushed.
The former President’s attorneys said that they are ready to fight the indictment in court. “We will vigorously fight this this political prosecution in Court,” Susan Necheles and Joseph Tacopina said in a statement.
Now Trump has an option to voluntarily surrender or be publicly taken into custody. Like any other civilian, the Florida resident will have to give his fingerprints and mugshots. He will also be processed and given a booking number, former prosecutors and law enforcement officials told USA TODAY.
“There will still be a mug shot, fingerprints and lots of paperwork filled out as part of the booking process,” said former federal prosecutor Glenn Kirschner. “We will see a mug shot, but I do not think we’re going to see a perp walk.”
Then we have arraignment. Donald Trump will make a public court appearance. Charges will be unsealed. The 45th president is expected to enter the not guilty plea. Pretrial hearings are then held.
Donald Trump reacted to the indictment.
“Now they’ve done the unthinkable – indicting a completely innocent person in an act of blatant Election Interference,” Trump said. “Never before in our Nation’s history has this been done.”
