Former United States President Donald Trump recently called on his supporters to protest against his looming indictment as federal prosecutors are considering charging him over a hush money controversy involving an adult film star.
On Sunday, former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie, a Republican, said that the "circus continues" following a question regarding Trump's remarks to his followers. Christie argued that the former president profits from chaos and turmoil, so he wants to create such an environment under his terms.
Could Trump be Arrested?
Trump, who is now running for another term as president with a 2024 campaign, said he believes he will be arrested on Tuesday. His remarks come as a New York grand jury probe argues that he was part of a hush-money scheme during his 2016 campaign.
In a Saturday post on his social media platform, Truth Social, the former president called on his supporters to "protest, take our nation back!" Christie noted that in the end, being indicted for anything was not helpful to anyone, as per The Hill.
Despite the possibility of Trump being indicted over the hush money scheme, any trial involving him would still be more than a year away. Legal experts argued that it could coincide with the final months of the 2024 presidential campaign as the Republican businessman aims to take back the White House.
In contrast to Trump's claims that he would be arrested on Tuesday, a spokesperson for the former president said that he had not been notified of any pending arrest. In the waning days of the 2016 presidential campaign, Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg presented evidence to a New York grand jury regarding the hush payments allegedly made to adult film star Stormy Daniels.
The money was said to have been in exchange for her keeping silent about an alleged affair with the former president. However, the Republican businessman has denied the accusations, and his lawyer argued that the adult film star, whose real name is Stephanie Clifford, is extorting Trump.
Trump Denies Hush Money Accusations
If the Republican businessman does get charged criminally, he will become the first former U.S. president to face criminal prosecution. Recent polls also show Trump leading other potential rivals for the Republican nomination for president, according to Reuters.
The average criminal case in New York takes more than a year to move to trial from an indictment, said former Manhattan chief assistant district attorney Karen Friedman Agnifilo. This means there is a high chance that the former president would stand trial amid the 2024 presidential campaign or potentially after Election Day.
When asked whether a judge could put Trump on trial close to the election, Agnifilo said the situation was so unprecedented that it was hard to determine. The hush money case is only one of many lawsuits targeting the former president.
In his Truth Social post, Trump said that the Manhattan district attorney's office was corrupt, highly political, and had illegal leaks that pointed to his arrest. However, despite his claims, the former president did not provide any evidence of the leaks, said Inquirer.
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