ExplainerWhy a Donald Trump indictment would be an unprecedented moment in US history
- New York police tightened security ahead of a possible historic indictment of Donald Trump over hush-money paid to a porn actress
- Here’s a look at the probe, grand jury process and possible ramifications for Trump’s 2024 presidential campaign
The decision whether to indict former US president Donald Trump over hush-money payments made on his behalf during his 2016 presidential campaign lies in the hands of a Manhattan grand jury that has been hearing evidence in secret for weeks.
An indictment of Trump, who is seeking the White House again in 2024, would be an unprecedented moment in American history, the first criminal case against a former US president.
Law enforcement officials are bracing for protests and the possibility of violence after Trump called on his supporters to protest ahead of a possible indictment.
An indictment could also test a Republican Party already divided over whether to support Trump next year, in part due to his efforts to undermine his 2020 election loss.
Trump denies any wrongdoing and has slammed the Manhattan district attorney’s office probe as politically motivated.
What’s the probe about?
The grand jury has been probing Trump’s involvement in a US$130,000 payment made in 2016 to the porn actress Stormy Daniels to keep her from going public about a sexual encounter she said she had with him years earlier.