Donald Trump Indictment: Ex-POTUS Slams 'Political Persecution'

• A Manhattan grand jury has indicted former United States President Donald Trump
• The decision was made over the Republican businessman's alleged hush money payment to adult film star Stormy Daniels
• Trump has called the indictment a form of political persecution and election interference

A Manhattan grand jury indicted former United States President Donald Trump over a hush money payment allegedly made to adult film star Stormy Daniels to keep her quiet about their supposed affair.

The decision drew immediate scrutiny from the Republican businessman and his allies, with Trump claiming again that it was a part of the Democrats' alleged witch hunt targeting him. The decision marks the first time in U.S. history that a former president has been indicted, the specific charge or charges of which have not yet been made public.

Donald Trump Indicted

Trump's defense team said the former president is expected to turn himself in next week. He also called the indictment a form of political persecution and election interference. According to CBS News, his attorneys said they would vigorously fight the indictment. Some of Trump's allies and colleagues in the Republican Party have already shared their responses to the decision through social media. Republican House Speaker Kevin McCarthy wrote on Twitter that Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg has "irreparably damaged our country."

McCarthy said the indictment was simply Bragg's attempt to interfere with the Presidential election. The Republican accused the Manhattan DA of routinely freeing criminals to terrorize the public and claimed the Democrat had weaponized the country's sacred justice system against the former president.

The House Speaker said that the American people would not tolerate the injustice that has befallen Trump, adding that the House of Representatives will hold Bragg and his unprecedented abuse of power accountable.

Reactions to the Manhattan Grand Jury's Decision

Trump's statement immediately following the Manhattan grand jury's decision claims his innocence and accused the Democratic Party of lying, cheating, and stealing. The decision also comes as the former president is aiming to get re-elected in the 2024 elections, according to The Hill.

Many online users have shared their reactions to Trump's indictment by the Manhattan grand jury. Included are those who either support or oppose the former president and his political views.

One user posted a video on her Twitter account that showed her mother, living in a massively GOP neighborhood, ringing a cowbell and shouting, "Donald Trump, Indicted!" Another one poked fun at how Democrats were expected to react to the news, uploading a video of Vice President Kamala Harris in an interview where she said, "I love good news, love great news, I just love good news."

Some Twitter users also used social media to compare Trump's indictment to the recently closed trial involving actress Gwyneth Paltrow regarding a Feb. 26, 2016, ski accident. One person, who supported the Manhattan grand jury's decision and Paltrow, expressed her glee at the two news coming shortly after one another, said Yahoo News.

Tags

Donald Trump, Indictment