Former US President, Donald Trump has surrendered to Manhattan Criminal Court to face 34 criminal charges including a felony charge of falsifying business records. This makes him the first ever former president in the history of United States to face criminal prosecution. The charges were handed down by a grand jury convened by Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg.
Charges against Trump
The former President is facing criminal prosecution relating to an investigation into a payment made on his behalf to an adult film star in 2016 in exchange for her silence about an alleged affair. He is accused of felony charges of falsifying business records.
Entering the courthouse
Despite facing serious criminal charges, Trump waved at the crowd and cameras before entering the courthouse to turn himself in. Although he wasn’t placed in handcuffs and his mug shot wasn’t taken, it was widely expected that his fingerprints will be taken while in custody.
First Former President Charges
Donald Trump became the first former president in US history to be charged with a crime, which could have serious ramifications for his ongoing bid for the White House.
Responses from Trump
Trump has maintained his innocence and denounced the Manhattan district attorney’s probe as a politically motivated “witch hunt.” The former president is expected to deliver remarks to supporters at his Mara-Lago resort in Florida on Tuesday evening.
Indictments and Criminal Investigations
Former President Donald Trump is involved in four different criminal investigations by three different levels of government – the Manhattan district attorney; the Fulton County, Georgia, district attorney; and the Department of Justice. The most asked question is whether Trump can still run for President while indicted or if he gets convicted; he can still run. Other restrictions such as term limits and impeachment do not apply to Trump in cases thought to be closest to formal indictment.
The charges against him could result in a hushmoney payment scheme in New York City. There is concern about finding an impartial jury for Trump due to his divisive nature, but the Sixth Amendment guarantees the right to one.
Possibility of Plea Deal
There is a possibility that Donald Trump would accept a plea deal to prevent him from ever running for office again. Former Vice President Spiro Agnew accepted a plea deal in 1973. Trump’s lawyers have said there’s “zero” chance of him taking a plea deal.
Martin London, Agnew’s former defense attorney, thinks that a plea deal involving Trump agreeing not to run for president again could be possible in the other investigations he’s facing. London believes that a reasonable DOJ might conclude that it is in the national interest for Trump to take a plea and avoid going to trial before a jury in Washington, D.C.
A plea deal would involve Trump giving up something, and the government would make the deal very hard, insisting that Trump confesses to something he did wrong. A plea deal could include Trump signing a written promise that if he violates the deal, any court in the land could enjoin his appearing on the ballot and he agrees to have his name stricken from any ballot for any public office.
If a plea deal was reached and Trump ended up winning the 2024 election, it is unclear what would happen.
Secret Service Responsibility
Even if he is jailed or sentenced, it has been noted that The Secret Service is responsible for Trump’s safety; if he is jailed, the logistics of Secret Service protection are unknown. Trump could theoretically use “perp walk” to his advantage politically.
In conclusion, Donald Trump faces serious charges connected with falsifying business records that carry potential political ramifications while he has remained defiantly denying all involvement. However, with further criminal investigations ongoing there are questions over whether formal indictments could impact any future political career he may seek.
Image Source: Wikimedia Commons
