Trump indictment: Trump faces some 2 dozen counts, including felonies, sources say
Trump has become the first former U.S. president to face criminal charges.
Donald Trump was indicted by a Manhattan grand jury on Thursday, becoming the first former U.S. president to face criminal charges.
It was not immediately clear what the indictment was connected to, or what charges Trump will face. The indictment is under seal.
Trump is expected to surrender in New York City early this week, sources familiar with the matter told ABC News.
Latest headlines:
- America split on Trump indictment: Poll
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- Why Trump indictment might hinge on a 'novel legal theory'
- Trump faces around 2 dozen counts, including felonies, sources say
- Ivanka Trump speaks out
- Trump has 'never been held accountable,' Cohen says
- Trump expected to surrender in New York early next week: Sources
Trump making phone calls to Republicans on Capitol Hill to firm up support: Sources
Former President Donald Trump has been making calls to Congressional allies on Capitol Hill Thursday night, urging them to go on the offensive and defend him following the news of the indictment by a Manhattan grand jury, sources familiar with the matter tell ABC News.
Trump has been asking members who support him to firm up their support and rally behind him, the sources said.
-ABC News' Rachel Scott, Will Steakin and Katherine Faulders
Pence, DeSantis and more confirmed or potential 2024 rivals react
Some of Trump's confirmed or prospective rivals for the 2024 Republican presidential nomination were among those who spoke out Thursday night in the wake of the news of the former president's indictment.
In an interview with CNN on Thursday night, former Vice President Mike Pence called it an "outrage," arguing that the case against Trump is "tenuous" and will "only further serve to divide our country."
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, whom sources have told ABC News is expected to launch a presidential campaign in the coming months, tweeted that the indictment was "un-American" and "a weaponization of the legal system," adding that Florida would "not assist in an extradition request."
Read more here.
-ABC News' Alexandra Hutzler and Mariam Khan
Adam Schiff says Oval Office 'will be tarnished' by Trump's conduct
California Rep. Adam Schiff said "it's a sober moment for the country," telling Linsey Davis on ABC News Live on Thursday that the dignity of the Oval Office "will be tarnished by the conduct of the former president by his being charged criminally."
"I think you have to be guided by the facts and the law, and you have to set aside the political calendar and do what the law requires," said Schiff, a leading Democrat in the House. "I think that's the obligation of a district attorney, and I think that was done here. How this cuts politically, I really don't know. That, to me, is very secondary."
-ABC News' Imtiyaz Delawala and Anna Katharine Ping
Scenes from Manhattan, Mar-a-Lago
Demonstrators gathered outside Manhattan Criminal Court and near Donald Trump's Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida in the wake of the indictment Thursday evening.
In Manhattan, a giant sign that stated "Trump lies all the time" could be seen unfurled outside Manhattan Criminal Court, where police had erected barricades last week ahead of a possible indictment.
Meanwhile, several supporters gathered near Mar-a-Lago with Trump 2024 flags and signs.
Bragg's office calls on House GOP to 'denounce attacks'
Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg on Friday again resisted the House GOP investigation of his office’s prosecution of Trump.
Bragg’s legal counsel called the inquiry “illegitimate incursion” into a legitimate investigation.
The House Republicans -- Reps. Jim Jordan, James Comer and Bryan Steil -- have said they want to find evidence of federal funds used to investigate Trump. But Bragg’s office said they were merely doing Trump’s bidding.
“Finally, as you are no doubt aware, former President Trump has directed harsh invective against District Attorney Bragg and threatened on social media that his arrest or indictment in New York may unleash 'death & destruction.' As Committee Chairmen, you could use the stature of your office to denounce these attacks and urge respect for the fairness of our justice system and for the work of the impartial grand jury," counsel Leslie Dubeck wrote in a letter to the lawmakers.
"Instead, you and many of your colleagues have chosen to collaborate with Mr. Trump’s efforts to vilify and denigrate the integrity of elected state prosecutors and trial judges and made unfounded allegations that the Office’s investigation, conducted via an independent grand jury of average citizens serving New York State, is politically motivated.”