A New York grand jury agreed to formally indict Donald Trump in the case of a payment the former president allegedly made to a porn actress to prevent her from disclosing their affair in the midst of the 2016 presidential campaign.
As reported by several media outlets, four sources familiar with the matter reported the jury's decision, but official notification is still pending. The indictment would make history as it would make Donald Trump the first former president of the country to face criminal charges.
However, the exact charges against the former president are still unknown, as the accusations are usually presented in court following the jury's vote.
Breaking News: A grand jury in New York has voted to indict Donald Trump over his role in a hush money payment to a porn star, according to four people with knowledge of the matter. https://t.co/2p3Rlr0abC pic.twitter.com/JhSJLKoMny
— The New York Times (@nytimes) March 30, 2023
Florida will not cooperate with an extradition
Ron DeSantis, governor of Florida, announced that the state will not cooperate with any extradition request if asked to do so "given the questionable circumstances" of the case brought by the Manhattan prosecutor and "his political agenda." "The weaponization of the legal system to advance a political agenda turns the rule of law on its head. It is un-American," he said.
It should be noted that the former president lives in Florida, specifically in Mar-a-Lago.
The weaponization of the legal system to advance a political agenda turns the rule of law on its head.
It is un-American.
The Soros-backed Manhattan District Attorney has consistently bent the law to downgrade felonies and to excuse criminal misconduct. Yet, now he is…
— Ron DeSantis (@GovRonDeSantis) March 30, 2023
Cohen: "No one is above the law"
Michael Cohen, Trump's former lawyer and an alleged witness in the case, was pleased with the jury's decision. "I do take solace in validating the adage that no one is above the law; not even a former President," he said.
Cohen also stated that he stands by the testimony and "evidence" he has provided to the district attorney's office. This is despite the fact that recently a 2018 letter came to light that contradicts him, as it states that the attorney used his own funds to make the payment to porn actress Stormy Daniels and that "neither the Trump Organization nor the Trump campaign was a party to the transaction."
A "witch hunt"
Donald Trump claims that the investigations against him are part of a "witch hunt" with political objectives. In fact, after Cohen's letter was published, the former president stressed that the evidence should be enough for prosecutor Alvin Bragg to drop the case against him.
"This is totally exculpatory, and must end the Manhattan District Attorney’s witch hunt, immediately", Trump said.
