New York gears up for Donald Trump’s arrest – possible charges (video)

Watch the video: New York gears up for Trump’s arrest – former prosecutor explains possible charges.

STORY: The New York Police Department has begun erecting metal fences in Lower Manhattan. The background is a possible indictment and arrest of former President Donald Trump. Security has been tightened, particularly around the Manhattan courthouse where the indictment is to be brought. Trump called on his supporters to protest over the weekend. Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg is investigating alleged hush money payments by Trump’s former attorney Michael Cohen to an adult film star who claims to have had a sexual affair with the former president. No president in US history has ever been criminally charged. All indications are that he will soon be indicted by a grand jury, said former Assistant US Attorney Danya Perry. “Trump will not be dragged in front of a crowd of reporters, or handcuffed or shackled. He will surrender. But he will have to go through all the procedures that any defendant charged with in federal or state court must go through: mug shot, admission of dates, and before a judge, where he will surely plead not guilty.” The indictment appears imminent. The trial against Trump is far from certain. Cohen has admitted making a payment to Stormy Daniels during the 2016 presidential campaign that was later refunded by Trump, falsely billed as “legal fees.” Flawed business records are a misdemeanor but can be escalated into a felony if it was part of the cover-up of another crime – in this case concealing an illegal campaign donation. “What makes it potentially criminal is that when he paid her in this way, he was deducting the expense as a legal fee when, in essence, it was a gratuity, a substantial gratuity.” Cohen is believed to be a likely key witness after serving a sentence himself. Trump described the investigation as a “politically motivated witch hunt” and claimed without providing any evidence that President Joe Biden may be directing it. Should Bragg file charges against the former president, a trial could be more than a year away — and could begin either before the 2024 election or even after he takes office.