Donald Trump has become the first former US president to be criminally charged.
The charges — over illegal alleged hush payments to a porn actress and a model in 2016 — appear certain to shake up the 2024 presidential campaign.
But just in what way remains to be seen — some experts believe the indictment could be a boon for Trump in the internal contest for the Republican nomination, while hurting him in the general election.
The charges, while historic, might also be the least of Trump’s legal troubles. He’s still facing at least three other criminal investigations into his conduct in office.
“This is probably the first of several indictments, and I think it’s the least serious of them,” Charles Darwin University dean of law and Bill Clinton campaign adviser Alan Berman told Crikey.
Trump said in a statement he was “completely innocent”.
“This is political persecution and election interference at the highest level in history,” he said.
The exact nature of the charges has not been made official, but the Associated Press reported the Manhattan district attorney’s office, and a team of defence lawyers, had both confirmed that charges had been laid.
Trump has previously vowed to remain in the 2024 presidential campaign even if he’s charged.
His early statements on the charges show the Republican ex-president is likely to seek to use the criminal matter as a way to rally his supporters and boost his campaign.
“He’s already called his supporters to protest, calling it a political persecution,” Berman said.
“There’s speculation it will help Trump with the Republican base and mean a greater likelihood of him getting the nomination, but it will probably hurt him in the general election.
“I think a lot of Americans are just tired of the drama.”
The alleged hush money payments were made in 2016 to porn star Stormy Daniels and Playboy model Karen McDougal.
Daniels, real name Stephanie Clifford, received US$130,000 to keep quiet about what she says was a sexual encounter with Trump in 2006.
McDougal was paid US$150,000 for the rights to her story about a 10-month affair with Trump that she says occurred in the mid-2000s.
Trump’s former “fixer” Michael Cohen arranged the payments to both women, including having the publisher of tabloid National Enquirer pay McDougal for the rights to her story.
Defence lawyers Susan Necheles and Joseph Tacopina told the AP that Trump “did not commit any crime” and that they would “vigorously fight this political prosecution in court”.
The other investigations Trump faces include one in Washington looking into Trump’s alleged attempts to overturn the 2020 presidential election.
Another probe, in Georgia, is investigating whether Trump and his allies interfered in that state’s 2020 election.
There is also an investigation into a trove of top-secret documents located at Trump’s Florida home.
Professor of law and political science at Arizona State University Stefanie A Lindquist wrote in The Conversation that there was nothing in the US constitution that would prohibit someone from being president just because they’ve been criminally charged or convicted.
Lindquist even postulated that a president could theoretically serve from jail.
Berman said Trump would not be able to be pardoned for the Manhattan matter, because the charges were brought at a state level.
Immediately after the charges were revealed, Clinton began to trend on Twitter, thanks to users comparing the charges against Trump with payments made by Clinton in the 1990s.
Legal experts say the key difference is that the Clinton payment was public, legal and made to settle a civil lawsuit, according to the AP.
I’m looking forward to seeing Clifford/Daniels give testimony. During past interviews that girl came across as whip smart and precise. Oh, to be able to watch Trump’s face as her story unfolds.
At least in a court Trump won’t be able to circle her like a shark as with Hilary Clinton.
She’s 44 years old. I’d call her a woman, not a girl.
She’s also whip smart and precise and no-nonsense.
She’s two decades younger than me. Potato, portaarto.
But do you realise how offensive such usage of “girl” is to many people? It is a derogatory and belittling usage. And as such is stereotypical and unnecessary.
It’s difficult to remember just what people find offensive… When there’s no offense intended, which I’m sure is the case in Frank’s case, why not just let it slide?
I understand how it might be used offensively. Still, there’s this whole history of usage where girl implies ‘young at heart’ and enthusiastic, not childish. You go, girl! And remember, girls just want to have fun.
sensible comment.
For the prosecutor (ANY prosecutor) the dream will be having someone as unstable as Trump in the hot seat…………..
……….. he is a compulsive liar but without the ability to remember what he said three minutes ago.
Even though he is wildly litigious, if there was ever any prospect of him being required to appear in court, he would always settle.
His lawyers would never allow him to be cross-examined.
As the accused, he will not have that option this time. I somehow doubt that Bragg will allow him to cop a plea deal.
Completely agree. Anyone know if it’s being televised? Trump’s ego would be insisting on it.
The Anglo legal system accusatorial system the prosecutor must prove their case beyond reasonable doubt
The accused is under no obligation whatsoever to speak, let alone proffer a defence.
End Of.
You really think Trump will be able to keep his mouth shut?…………….
Rave on.
Of course not, his briefs will insist that “he take the Fifth”.
He may be under no obligation to speak, but he WILL have to undergo cross-examination.
Trump is pathetically easy to needle………………..
…………..any half-decent prosecutor could press his buttons.
And once triggered, his ego will simply not allow him to back down, regardless of what his attorneys tell him.
He will dig his own grave.
We may but hope and, should his bone spurs prevent his efficient use of a spade, I doubt that there would be any lack of volunteers to dig it deep and deeper.
Prior to dancing upon it.
WRONG. He will only be cross examined if he gives evidence. If he exercises his right to silence,he can’t be compelled to undergo cross examination.
America is Rome in decay. That someone as spectacularly stupid, nasty, deluded and dishonest as Trump polls as the currently preferred GOP candidate is staggering.
Spot on – I’ve been saying to myself that US at present is like the fall of the Roman Empire of old – moral, ethical and political decay writ large.
Commentators are saying this might make Trump more popular. What is wrong with them over there?
The majority are not sentient adults – theys M’rikans an’ dun proud o’it!
OOOESSSAAAAY! OOOESSSAAAAY! OOOESSSAAAAY! …………
Any word consisting of more than three letters confuses them terribly.
Do you mean any word consisting of more than three letters confuses them “bigly”? I know that’s 5 letters but “terribly” has 8 letters and contains syllables as well!
they’re just parroting RWNJ talking points – the Right were hoping that it would dissuade law enforcement from arresting him
history has shown Trump’s legal issues don’t make him more popular with the general public in the US … but it does make the crazies louder and more unhinged
It’s not as irrational as you think.
The logic is that if one white male can get away with anything, then all white males can get away with stuff.
This is at the crux of fascism. If I am green and not blue then I do not care what happens to blue people and will support green people whatever they do.
Trump, a dangerous, deluded and divisive demagogue, devoid of decency, morals or empathy, but replete with ignorance, debauchery, and now potentially criminality. Oh, and a life long sufferer of mythomania.
Has a “They got Capone on tax” feel about it…..
By comparison, Capone was a law-abiding citizen………………………
They got Capone even if it was “just” on tax evasion. I hope that they’ll get Trump on many issues, but tax evasion would be a start.