(NEXSTAR) — Former president this weekend. Donald Trump has claimed he expects to be arrested within the next week, possibly in connection with Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg’s investigation into alleged hush payments to adult film star Stormy Daniels. .
Bragg’s investigation into the $130,000 payment that preceded the 2016 presidential election was a viable legal move for Trump, especially as both Daniels and former Trump attorney Michael Cohen testified before a grand jury. increasingly seen as a challenge. Bragg’s investigation worked to determine whether the payments violated campaign finance rules.
On Saturday, Trump wrote on his social media platform Truth Social:
The former president claimed to have learned of this from an “illegal leak” from Bragg’s office. Associated Press Susan Necheres, Trump’s attorney, reportedly said Trump’s comments on Saturday were “based on media reports,” but did not provide further information.
It’s important to note that as of Saturday afternoon, no announcement has been made by the DA’s office, and there is still no indication that charges have been filed against the former president. Nevertheless, it is believed that a decision will come soon.
All of these can be confusing, so I’ll repeat myself. As of now, Trump has not been formally charged with any crime.Neither did the former president indicted.
If you’re wondering what exactly “indictment” means, U.S. Department of Justice He explains that an indictment is a formal notification someone receives that they are believed to have committed a crime. The indictment lists the charges they face.
What does it take to be prosecuted?
How felonies are prosecuted in the United States grand jury Examine all potential evidence to determine if a crime has been committed. If a jury, usually consisting of 16 to her 23 people, determines that there is sufficient evidence that a crime has occurred, an indictment will be made.
Trump claims he will be arrested on Tuesday, but it’s unlikely the former president will be arrested, as Trump officials themselves told The Associated Press that they would “follow normal procedures” if indicted.AP Arrest will only take place if the person charged does not surrender, according to the law.
The Manhattan District Attorney’s Office declined requests for comment from several media outlets, including MSNBC and the AP.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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