A Manhattan grand jury has indicted former U.S. President Donald Trump following an investigation into hush money paid to adult film actress Stormy Daniels.
Trump is the first former U.S. president to face criminal charges while considering another presidential run. The specific charges, which remain under seal, are not yet known, but CNN reported that Trump faces over 30 counts related to business fraud.
Trump claimed his innocence and said he would not withdraw from the 2024 presidential race. He accused Democrat Alvin Bragg of using the charges to interfere with his potential re-election campaign against Democratic President Joe Biden. Trump has since raised over $2 million for a legal defense fund.
Several potential Republican challengers for the 2024 nomination, including Florida Governor Ron DeSantis and former Vice President Mike Pence, have expressed support for Trump. Democrats, however, insist that the former president is not above the law.
Read: Former US President Donald Trump indicted for hush money payments
The charges are expected to be unsealed in the coming days, at which point Trump will have to travel to Manhattan for fingerprinting and processing. Trump’s lawyers, Susan Necheles and Joseph Tacopina said they will fight the charges vigorously.
The Manhattan investigation is one of several legal challenges Trump is currently facing. Last year, Bragg successfully prosecuted Trump’s business on tax-fraud charges, resulting in a $1.61 million criminal penalty.
Stormy Daniels, whose real name is Stephanie Clifford, alleges she received money to keep quiet about a sexual encounter with Trump in 2006. Trump’s former personal lawyer, Michael Cohen, has admitted to coordinating payments to Daniels and another woman, former Playboy model Karen McDougal. Trump has denied having affairs with either woman.
Trump faces two additional criminal investigations by a special counsel appointed by U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland and a local prosecutor in Georgia.
