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
- Trump expected to travel to New York on Monday
- 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 has 'never been held accountable,' Cohen says
Donald Trump's former personal attorney and fixer Michael Cohen said the ex-president is likely "seething" over the indictment because he's "never been held accountable."
"The fact that he is being held accountable, something that he has no desire to ever be. He's never been held accountable," Cohen told ABC News' George Stephanopoulos in an interview Friday on "Good Morning America."
"This is a man who held up the Bible and said he's never apologized to God because he's never done anything wrong," he added. "He doesn't understand accountability. And right now, [Manhattan District Attorney] Alvin Bragg has finally put that into his lap."
Cohen, who is now estranged from Trump and is a key prosecution witness, said he decided years ago that his "loyalty can no longer be to a man who doesn't deserve it."
Cohen was sentenced to three years in prison in December 2018, after pleading guilty to violating federal campaign finance law in connection with hush-money payments and lying to Congress, among other crimes.
During Friday's interview on "GMA," Cohen said he followed Trump's "message" for more than a decade and "that is what got me in trouble."
When asked if he feels ready to be cross-examined, Cohen replied: "Absolutely."
"The documents will speak for themselves," he added, referring to the sealed indictment.
"So, not just your testimony?" Stephanopoulos responded.
"No," Cohen said. "And it's also corroborating testimony, but it's documents."
Trump was 'shocked' by indictment, lawyer says
Donald Trump's attorney, Joe Tacopina, said the former president's initial reaction to his indictment was "shock," despite predicting his own arrest "based on rumours and leaks."
"It was shock because it's actually coming to fruition," Tacopina told ABC News' George Stephanopoulos in an interview Friday on “Good Morning America.”
"At the end of the day, we were really hoping and he was hoping that the rule of law would've prevailed," he added. "In my opinion -- and I don't say this with pride or pleasure -- in my 32 years as a lawyer, both as a prosecutor and a defense attorney, I feel like the rule of law died yesterday in this country."
When asked what to expect next week, Tacopina said "it's a great question."
"This is unprecedented in this country's history. I don't know what to expect other than an arraignment," he said. "I understand they're going to be closing off blocks around the courthouse, shutting down the courthouse. You know, we'll go in there and we'll proceed to see a judge at some point, plead not guilty, start talking about filing motions, which we will do immediately and very aggressively regarding the legal viability of this case."
Tacopina noted that "there is really no precedent for this case, [because] this was done with personal money."
"Statutorily, the law says this: If the payment was made with personal funds and it would've been made irrespective of the candidate's campaign, it's outside of campaign finance and, clearly, that's what you have here,” he said.
When asked whether there will be handcuffs, a mugshot or a perp walk, Tacopina responded: "I'm sure they will try to get every ounce of publicity they can out of this thing."
"The president will not be put in handcuffs," he added. "As far as a mugshot's concerned, perp walk, I mean, you know, as I said, I'm sure they'll try to make sure they get some joy out of this by parading him."
"But, you know, I think this is a different situation," he continued. "It is a lot of groups involved here and I don't think they're going to allow this to become a circus, as much as humanly possible."
When asked how concerned he is about this case and the other potential cases Trump could be facing, Tacopina said: "We have to deal with it one at a time."
"Right now, I'm dealing with this case exclusively and another civil matter for the president, but not the Fulton County case and not the special prosecutor's case at this point," he added. "And really, I'm not even thinking about those cases at all. I'm focused -- laser focused -- on this case and I'll keep all my attention here until this is resolved."
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
Senate sergeant at arms warns of potential demonstration activity
The Senate sergeant at arms is warning of potential demonstration activity related to the indictment of former President Donald Trump.
"While law enforcement is not tracking any specific, credible threats against the Capitol or state offices, there is potential for demonstration activity," an email obtained by ABC News said.
Capitol Police "is working with law enforcement partners, so you may observe a greater law enforcement presence on Capitol Hill," the email said, adding that there could be "nationwide impacts to Senate state offices."
The Capitol Police declined to comment and the sergeant at arms didn't immediately respond to ABC News' request for comment.
-ABC News' Luke Barr