The news of The indictment against former President Donald Trump She is already sparking reactions, like her former lawyer, Michael Cohen, who said it was “the start of a new chapter”.
A lawyer for Donald Trump confirmed on Thursday that he had been informed that the former president had been indicted in New York on charges related to payments made during the 2016 presidential campaign to silence allegations of extramarital sex.
It is the first criminal trial against a former US president and undermines Trump’s claims to return to the White House in 2024.
Michael Cohen, the ex-president’s former lawyer, who served time for tax evasion, has become a key witness in the investigation against Trump for allegedly paying bribes to the actress Stormy Daniels.
Cohen shared a statement following the news of his former client’s indictment: “For the first time in the history of our country, you have been indicted. I am not proud to make this statement and I want to remind everyone of the presumption of innocence, provided for in the due process clause.”
“However, I take comfort in the statement that no one is above the law, not even a former president. Today’s impeachment is not the end of a chapter but the beginning,” Cohen said.
Luis Alejandro Medina with the report.
“Now that the indictment has been filed, it is better for the case that the indictment speaks for itself. The two things I want to say now are: accountability is significant and I stand by my testimony and the evidence I have provided to the prosecution.”
For her part, Stormy Daniels, the porn actress who allegedly received the bribe, said through her lawyer: “It’s not a joy to see this man charged, it’s a sad day but I must place great respect and trust in the members of the jury. And I hope that in the future our justice system will apply the law and the evidence and recognize that no man is above the law.
The grand jury indictment against Trump, 76, is an extraordinary breakthrough after years of investigations into his business, political and personal dealings.
He is likely to boost critics who say Trump lied and cheated to get to the top, and at the same time embolden his supporters who feel the Republican is being unfairly targeted by a Democratic prosecutor.