NEW YORK: Workers barricaded a Manhattan courthouse on Monday. It is in preparation for a possible indictment of Donald Trump. It could be for allegedly paying porn star Stormy Daniels hush money during his 2016 campaign.
The first criminal prosecution against a US president. Trump called for social media protests on Saturday against his impending arrest.
Trump’s call for protests worried law officials that followers would commit violence like the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol.
Security analysts claimed numerous far-right grassroots groups have declined his contact, fearing a trap.
While, Monday’s grand jury hearing could result in charges this week. Trump, who is seeking the 2024 Republican presidential nomination, predicted his arrest on Tuesday.
Moreover, Lawyer Robert Costello told the grand jury on Monday that Trump’s longtime fixer Michael Cohen conducted the hush-money payments without Trump’s knowledge.
Afterward, Cohen told the grand jury that Trump ordered him to make the payments.
Afterward, Indictment could hinder Trump’s recovery. According to a seven-day Reuters/Ipsos poll released on Monday, 44% of Republicans think he should quit the presidential race if arrested.
While, Trump’s legal troubles include Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg’s probe. His office did not immediately comment.
In 2018, Cohen pleaded guilty to federal campaign finance crimes for paying Daniels, whose official name is Stephanie Clifford, and another woman to keep quiet about their alleged encounters with Trump.
Trump denies such affairs.
According to Lanny Davis, Cohen was informed on Monday afternoon that he was not needed as a rebuttal witness by the Manhattan District Attorney’s office. Cohen told MSNBC he was not invited back Wednesday.
