Former President Donald Trump has warned of potential “death & destruction” if he faces criminal charges in the hush money payment probe.
In a post on Truth Social, Trump asked how a former president could be charged with a crime given that “potential death & destruction in such a false charge could be catastrophic for our Country?”
The controversial figure attacked Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg and other state and federal prosecutors who are investigating him in Washington, D.C. and Georgia.
U.S. House Speaker Kevin McCarthy criticized the Bragg-led investigation into the hush money payments calling a political attack and weaponizing the justice system.
“It doesn’t matter if it’s President Trump or a Democrat. Our justice system should not be used to target political opponents. Period,” McCarthy said in a statement rallying behind Trump.
Bragg’s General Counsel, Leslie Dubeck, refuted the Republican leadership for calls for the Manhattan D.A. to testify before Congress.
“The DA’s Office will not allow a Congressional investigation to impede the exercise of New York’s sovereign police power,” Dubeck said in a letter.
Trump had previously stated that he was expected to be indicted on Tuesday causing stir amongst the media and reactions from the top Republican leadership. He also called for his supporters to protest on Truth Social, “Take our nation back!!!”
Bragg is currently looking into a hush money payment to porn star Stormy Daniels that Trump’s then lawyer Michael Cohen made shortly before the 2016 presidential election. The investigation involves a $130,000 payment Cohen admitted to paying Daniels.
In response, Trump has called Bragg racist and “an animal,” linking him to Democratic political donor George Soros.
“Why & who would do such a thing? Only a degenerate psychopath,” Trump said of the district attorney on Truth Social.
Bragg, however, has maintained that he will not tolerate any intimidation from Trump or his political supporters
“We do not tolerate attempts to intimidate our office or threaten the rule of law in New York,” the district attorney said, according to Politico.
“Our law enforcement partners will ensure that any specific or credible threats against the office will be fully investigated and that the proper safeguards are in place so all 1,600 of us have a secure work environment,” Bragg added.
The embattled businessman-turned-president, who is seeking the Republican nomination for the presidency again in 2024, called for protests ahead of a possible indictment. He added that he would continue campaigning even if he were charged with a crime.
The grand jury was postponed this week as they met on other matters other than the Trump investigation. It is not clear when the grand jury will reconvene whether to indict the former president.
Bragg’s received a letter on Friday with White Powder that said, “ALVIN: I AM GOING TO KILL YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!!”
It’s not clear who wrote the letter and where it came from. There were no evacuation from the building.
The Manhattan D.A.’s office is decided whether Trump will be charged as the office is following the facts including testimonies from Cohen and the evidence.
Produced in association with Benzinga
