Former President Donald Trump is facing possible indictment by Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg over an alleged Stormy Daniels hush money scheme. This could have a major impact on the Republican primary race for 2024, where Trump is competing against Florida Governor Ron DeSantis and the former U.S. Nikki Haley, Ambassador to the United Nations Ambassador to Nikki Haley. ,
Trump has accused President Joe Biden of having "stuffed" the District Attorney's Office with officials from the Department of Justice, and of Bragg taking orders from D.C. While DeSantis Bragg attacked the Democratic party, calling him a "Soros-funded prosecutor" and accusing him of "weaponizing" the Manhattan District Attorney’s office.
The White House has said they will not comment on ongoing investigations and Allies to Biden have said he should stay out of the "mud" to create a contrast with Trump. The potential indictment could cause divisions in the Republican primary race and could benefit Biden, as Democrats believe that it will make the Republican nomination battle more contentious.
Trump has been using the potential threat of indictment to raise money for his presidential campaign and to help bolster his position in the GOP primary race in 2024. On Saturday, Trump suggested on Truth Social that he was going to be arrested on Tuesday and urged people to "Take Our Nation Back!" His campaign apparatus sent multiple fundraising requests to capitalize on the former president's prediction.
Republican lawmakers responded to Trump's warning with a criticism of District Attorney Alvin Bragg and dismissed the charges as politically motivated. Former vice president Mike Pence and New Hampshire Governor Chris Sununu both expressed concern that an indictment could foster sympathy for Trump. Trump and his allies also criticized a response from Florida governor Ron DeSantis, who is seen as Trump's strongest potential GOP rival.
The case against Trump follows an investigation into a $130, 000 payment from fixer Michael Cohen to adult film star Stormy Daniels, who alleged that she had a sexual relationship with Trump. Cohen pleaded guilty and served time for his role in the matter to charges related to campaign finance violations and tax fraud. ,
Trump's calls for protests on social media, including an All caps call to "Protest, Protest, Protest!!! ", risked reminding voters of his conduct leading up to the Jan. Riots at the Capitol at August 6, 2021. Pence, McCarthy and other Republicans discouraged people from protesting and called for peace. The White House also said that it was "always prepared" for the potential for protests.
The media has speculated that a potential indictment of Donald Trump by a New York grand jury would only help the former President politically. However, many elected Republicans have quieted and Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, an all-but-announced Trump 2024 challenger, criticized Manhattan District Attorney only belatedly. Trump has been issuing unhinged social media posts threatening Bragg and expressing disbelief that New York police would shut down protests, indicating that he does not think an indictment would be beneficial to him. ,
It is unknown what the long-term impact of an indictment would be politically, but it is likely that if Trump were convicted in a criminal case the American people would not elect him president. The indictment could also cause divisions in the Republican primary race and could benefit President Joe Biden, as Democrats think it will make the Republican nomination battle more contentious.