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
Stormy Daniels' lawyer responds to indictment
Stormy Daniels' lawyer, Clark Brewster, issued a statement on the indictment, saying: "The indictment of Donald Trump is no cause for joy. The hard work and conscientiousness of the grand jurors must be respected. Now let truth and justice prevail. No one is above the law."
While the indictment remains under seal, Trump had been under investigation by the Manhattan district attorney over a $130,000 payment he made to the adult film actress to keep her from going public with a claim of an affair, which he denies.
Trump's indictment could mark turning point in 2024 campaign, even if he says otherwise: ANALYSIS
Donald Trump being formally accused of a crime could change the outlook for the still-forming field of Republican presidential candidates in 2024 -- either rallying primary voters primed by his talk of the "deep state" and "retribution" or opening up an unprecedented line of criticism for Trump's rivals.
The indictment itself isn't disqualifying, legally speaking. The U.S. Constitution doesn't prevent people under indictment or criminal investigation from running for the White House, experts have told ABC News, so the former president could still be reelected despite the indictment -- and would still be eligible even if it leads to a conviction, regardless of practical obstacles like potential incarceration.
Trump indicted
ABC News has learned that former president Donald Trump has been indicted, according to multiple sources with knowledge. The charges were not immediately clear.
Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg has notified Trump.
Trump's former attorney, Michael Cohen, said in a statement, "I do take solace in validating the adage that no one is above the law; not even a former President."
"Today’s indictment is not the end of this chapter; but rather, just the beginning," Cohen said. "Accountability matters and I stand by my testimony and the evidence I have provided to [the district attorney's office]."
Grand jury expected to meet Thursday on other matters: Sources
The Manhattan grand jury weighing charges against former President Donald Trump will not convene on Wednesday and is expected to meet Thursday on other matters, sources familiar with the situation told ABC News.
The proceeding is conducted in secret and the grand jury could be presented with evidence or vote at any time.
Trump's lawyer hopes his arraignment is 'typical' and quick
Trump's lawyer said on Sunday on ABC's "This Week" that he doesn't know what to expect when the former president is arraigned on Tuesday in New York City, given the historic nature of Trump's indictment.
"This is unprecedented. I don't know. I've done a million arraignments in that courthouse with celebrities and whatnot. But this is a whole different thing. We have Secret Service involved. I understand they're closing the courthouse for the afternoon. I just don't know what to expect to see," Joe Tacopina told "This Week" anchor George Stephanopoulos.
He likened the case to "persecution" and said the charges, which remain under seal, "revolved around" Trump paying money to adult film actress Stormy Daniels before the 2016 election to keep her from going public with a claim of an affair that Trump denies.
He told Stephanopoulos that he didn't know whether Trump would hold a press conference on Tuesday after he is arraigned.
"What I hope is that we get in and out of there as quickly as possible, that it's, at the end of the day, a typical arraignment," he said.
-ABC News' Tal Axelrod