Donald Trump indictment LIVE updates | Ex-president calls it 'witch hunt', expected to surrender on Tuesday

In a historical move, a grand jury in New York indicted Donald Trump, making him the first-ever former US president to face criminal charges. Trump was indicted by the jury on charges of making hush money payments to adult film star Stormy Daniels.

Here's what the indictment of Trump means and what will happen next.

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The New York Police Department have been ordered to be "prepared for deployment" in the wake of the Trump indictment, the New York Times has reported.

The US-based newspaper, citing an internal memo, has reported that police officers have been told to "remain prepared for mobilization at any time during their assigned tour."

Last week, the NYPD, apart from other local, state and federal police agencies, were scrambled and and conducted security assessments ahead of the indictment.

Donald Trump has called on GOP lawmakers, including those who serve on the committees that are trying to investigate the Manhattan District’s Attorney Office, to drum up support following his indictment.

A senior GOP source familiar with the conversations told CNN that the former president told allies he plans to fight the charges.

Hours after the Manhattan grand jury announced his indictment, Donald Trump, in a lengthy statement, his Truth Social post, blasted the Left, saying, "They only brought this Fake, Corrupt, and Disgraceful Charge against me because I stand with the American People, and they know that I cannot get a fair trial in New York.”

“The Democrats have lied, cheated and stolen in their obsession with trying to ‘Get Trump,’ but now they’ve done the unthinkable — indicting a completely innocent person in an act of blatant Election Interference,” Trump’s statement said.

Trump accused Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg of “doing Joe Biden’s dirty work, ignoring the murders and burglaries and assaults he should be focused on.”

According to Politico, the Manhattan DA’s office wanted Donald Trump to surrender on Friday, but Trump’s lawyers “rebuffed the request saying that the Secret Service, which provides security detail for the former president, needed more time to prepare”. 

Politico confirmed the development citing Trump's lawyer Joe Tacopina.

Donald Trump is expected to surrender to the Manhattan district attorney’s office early next week, his attorney has told NBC News.

Supporters of Donald J. Trump gathered outside his Palm Beach Mar-a-Lago property on Thursday (March 30) to show their support for the former President after he was indicted by a Manhattan grand jury.

As per Reuters, many supporters waved Trump 2024 flags while passing cars honked their horns to show their support.

Surrendering for arraignment — which Donald Trump's lawyers have said he would do if indicted — would as per the procedure involve the ex-president being fingerprinted, photographed, and potentially even handcuffed.

As per CNN, Trump faces as many as 30 counts related to business fraud.

Stormy Daniels, as per AFP, welcomed the development with her characteristic aplomb. Taking to Twitter, the adult movie star thanked her supporters.

"I have so many messages coming in that I can't respond...also don't want to spill my champagne."

Arkansas Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders calls for DA Alvin Bragg's resignation for alleged "abuse of power and targeting of Donald Trump."

With the announcement of Trump's indictment, you may be wondering what does it mean to be indicted. In simple words, it means the former US President Donald Trump has been formally accused of committing a crime. 

In this case, Trump has been formally accused of paying $130,000 in hush money to porn star Stormy Daniels. He reportedly paid her the money before the 2016 presidential elections in exchange for her silence about a sexual encounter she claimed to have had with Trump.

Disclaimer: WION cannot independently verify the authenticity of photos and videos shared on social media.

Former President Trump claims "the Democrats have lied, cheated and stolen in their obsession with trying to ‘Get Trump,’ but now they’ve done the unthinkable - indicting a completely innocent person in an act of blatant Election Interference."

A New York prosecutor, as per AFP, has confirmed the indictment of former president Donald Trump. The prosecutors's office said the Republican's lawyers have been contacted to "coordinate his surrender... for arraignment."

The arraignment date is yet to be selected. A spokesperson for Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg said that the indictment is still sealed and that "guidance will be provided when the arraignment date is selected."

Foe turned ally Ted Cruz says the indictment is a "catastrophic escalation in the weaponization of the justice system," and said that "the “substance” of this political persecution is utter garbage."

Famous author Stephen King has urged Trump's fellow Republicans to "wise up" and not "believe the lies."

"This isn't political. Donald Trump did this to himself. He betrayed your trust," he added.

Former United States Secretary of Labor, Robert Reich, said that the indictment "should serve as a powerful reminder that no one is above the law."

"Not even a former president," he added.

Taking to Twitter, Donald Trump Jr. said that his father's indictment "isn't just the radical left weaponizing the government to target their political enemies, this is them weaponising the government to interfere in the 2024 election to stop Trump."

Ron DeSantis, Donald Trump's top Republican rival in the upcoming 2024 Presidential race has slammed the indictment "un-American," and "weaponisation of legal system." 

The Florida Governor said that he will "not assist in an extradition request given the questionable circumstances at issue" with the indictment, which he labelled part of a "political agenda."

Donald Trump, as per AFP, has slammed the charges as "political persecution and election interference," and has vowed it would backfire on his successor Joe Biden. 

Donald Trump, after days of anticipation, on Thursday, was charged criminally in a hush-money case involving a porn star. A grand jury in a historic vote decided to indict the former president over allegations of hush money payments made to adult film star Stormy Daniels in exchange for her silence over a sexual encounter the two had. Trump's indictment is the first time a serving or former President of the United States will face criminal charges.

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