Trump confirms he will travel to New York on Monday ahead of Manhattan indictment

NEW YORK — Donald Trump announced on his social networks his intention to travel from Florida to the trump tower on Monday and said he was doing so ahead of a ‘believe it or not’ appearance in Manhattan court on Tuesday, where he is expected to be the first former or sitting US president in the nation’s history to be prosecuted in connection of a criminal charge.

The Republican, who has vowed to continue running for the 2024 presidential nomination despite the case (and can legally do so), also called for a possible trial outside of Manhattan and the removal of District Attorney Alvin Bragg. . series of late night posts on his social platform Social truth.

Trump attorney Joe Tacopina said Sunday that a discussion about a possible venue change has yet to take place (and sources say the judge is unlikely to grant one). As for Bragg, Gov. Kathy Hochul is expected to initiate a formal process to remove him, which is not in her plans. Manhattan’s indictment has been sealed since a jury vote late last week, but multiple sources say it involves around 30 counts related to document fraud.

The 23-member Manhattan panel had considered accusations surrounding Trump’s alleged authorization of secret payments that attorney Michael Cohen made to porn star Stormy Daniels during his 2016 presidential campaign to keep claims of a relationship silent extramarital affairs. Many other investigations are in progress.

The former president and his legal team have always denied any wrongdoing against them. Trump is expected to return to Florida after Tuesday’s impeachment, where he will address the public from Mar-a-Lago.

Cientos de personas, desde los medios hasta turistas, los simpatizantes y los demonstrators, flanquearon la calles frente al Palacio de Justice Penal de Manhattan y la Torre Trump en el centro de la ciudad, donde se barricadas de la Policía de Nueva York desde la last week. The department’s 36,000 officers and 19,000 civilian employees were ordered to report in uniform and prepare to deploy as needed beginning Friday, and that precautionary mandate is expected to remain in effect until the start of this week.

Alfredo Acosta updates us.

Trump impeachment details emerge

Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg arrived at the courthouse early Monday morning and made no comment to reporters. He did not share any details about the charges he asked the jury to consider. Sources familiar with the case said on Friday it included some 30 charges related to document fraud.

Trump and his defense team have repeatedly and loudly denied any wrongdoing. He will be processed on the 15th floor, part 59 of the Manhattan Criminal Court building, the same room where Harvey Weinstein was tried and convicted of rape and sexual assault in February 2020.

It sits directly across from the courtroom where Trump Corp and Trump Payroll Corp were convicted in December 2022 of criminal tax evasion, conspiracy and falsifying business records. Attorney Susan Necheles has defended the Trump Organization in the case and is expected to appear alongside Trump when he is arraigned. Expect street closures.

The developments could have significant implications for the 2024 presidential election. Trump, 76, has insisted he will continue to seek the Republican nomination even if the jury votes for impeachment.

Legally, an indictment does not prevent you from presenting yourself. Prosecutors haven’t said whether they plan to seek jail time if convicted, though that also wouldn’t stop Trump from running for president or winning next year.

For a man whose presidency has been defined by one erased rule after another, the indictment sets up another unprecedented spectacle: a former president being fingerprinted and then prosecuted. It’s unclear if the public will see a photo ID, or if one will even be taken. That is why. For security reasons, it is expected that your reservation will be carefully choreographed to avoid crowding inside or outside the courthouse.

As Trump and his lawyers prepared his defense, Bragg late last week defended the jury investigation that led to his trial, while congressional Republicans described the whole thing as politically motivated.

In a letter Friday, the Manhattan District Attorney told three House Republican committee chairs that such claims are “misleading and baseless” and dismissed Congress’ investigation into the secret jury process. by the law. .

House Speaker Kevin McCarthy has promised to use congressional oversight to investigate Bragg. Steil, Jordan and Comer asked Bragg’s office for jury testimony, documents and copies of any communications with the Justice Department.

President Joe Biden has not commented on the impeachment. The White House is not expected to issue a statement.

Political analyst Carlos Vargas claimed that this accusation will unite the bases of the Republican Party for the next elections.

Trump’s Legal Troubles: Beyond Manhattan’s Impeachment

Trump’s impeachment marks an extraordinary development after years of investigations into his business, political and personal dealings.

Even as Trump continues his latest White House campaign, there’s no doubt impeachment is fueling his longtime critics.

In addition to the secret money investigation in New York, Trump faces criminal investigations in Atlanta and Washington for his alleged efforts to overturn the 2020 election results.

A Justice Department special counsel also presented evidence to a jury investigating Trump’s possession of hundreds of classified documents at his Florida estate.

It’s unclear when these investigations will end or if they could lead to criminal charges, but they will continue regardless of what happens in New York, underscoring the current severity — and vast geographic scope — of the legal challenges facing the former president faces.

Eric Tucker, Michael R. Sisak, Jill Colvin and Michelle L. Price of The Associated Press contributed to this report.