Follow Us

Trump Indictment

What we know and don't know about a possible Trump indictment

Uncertainty about a possible indictment runs parallel with the fluidity of the Manhattan DA's grand jury investigation of Trump. Here's what we know.

What we know and don't know about a possible Trump indictment

AP

By Joe St. George

March 27, 2023

Another week begins with the possibility that a former president of the United States gets indicted.

Of course, that was a possibility last week, too.

The uncertainty surrounding this case speaks to the fluidity of the Manhattan district attorney's grand jury investigation into hush money payments made to adult film star Stormy Daniels.

So what do we know for sure? In Manhattan, grand juries typically meet on Mondays, Wednesdays and Thursdays.

A grand jury is scheduled to meet again Monday, which means an indictment Monday remains in the realm of possibility.

Last week, we saw delays from the grand jury, however. For instance, the grand jury did not meet on Wednesday.

A grand jury investigation is typically rooted in secrecy, which means information is slow to be revealed to the public.

Typically, only a prosecutor, a court reporter, witnesses and the grand jury themselves are in the room. The public is not invited.

To secure an indictment, District Attorney Alvin Bragg will need a majority vote from the grand jury.

Ultimately, the decision to indict will be — as it has always been — up to the district attorney.

One thing is clear: If an indictment occurs, it will be controversial.

Republicans from Speaker of the House Kevin McCarthy to former Vice President Mike Pence have already called the prosecution politically motivated.

Even some progressives have wondered if this case in Manhattan could ultimately hurt other investigations involving Trump, including an investigation in Fulton County, Georgia, involving the 2020 election and the Justice Department's inquiries into classified documents and the Jan. 6 insurrection.

Top Stories

Security forces examine the scene of knife attack

Suspect who stabbed toddlers in France charged with attempted murder

The children, between 22 months and 3 years old, remain hospitalized.

Soldiers and Indigenous men tend to the four Indigenous brothers who were missing after a deadly plane crash.

4 missing kids found alive in Amazon jungle 40 days after plane crash

Colombian authorities have found four Indigenous kids whose plane crashed on May 1.

A man reaches for a prescription pill bottle.

43 prescription drugs may soon cost less for some Medicare recipients

As part of the Inflation Reduction Act, Medicare Part B recipients may pay less for some drugs in the coming months.