Former US President Donald Trump's lawyer, Joe Tacopina, has claimed that his client would not have been indicted in the Stormy Daniels "hush money" case if he wasn't seeking a return to
the White House in 2024. Tacopina, who is representing Trump in the case brought by Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg, stated that if Donald Trump was not running for reelection, there is no way this case would have been brought, suggesting that the case is politically motivated.
The former President was indicted by a Manhattan grand jury on Thursday in connection to the $130,000 payoff made to Daniels in the lead up to the 2016 election. This marks the first time a former US President has faced criminal charges. While the charges in the indictment won't be revealed until Trump makes his first appearance in court on Tuesday, reports say he faces more than 30 counts, including at least one felony charge.
The allegations against Trump are that he knew about the payments made to Daniels, transferring money from his then-lawyer Michael Cohen to the porn star so she would keep quiet about her claims that she and the real estate mogul had an affair in 2006. Tacopina, however, said that Trump never knew about the settlement reached between Cohen and Daniels, claiming that any charges would be barred by the statute of limitations.
Tacopina's claims have raised concerns about the rule of law and the potential influence of politics on legal proceedings. Many people are questioning whether the indictment would have been brought against someone who was not seeking political office. Tacopina's argument suggests that the charges are politically motivated and that the case is not legally sufficient.
Trump is scheduled to give a speech at Mar-a-Lago following his arraignment on Tuesday. The indictment has already caused controversy, with some people questioning the validity of the charges and others arguing that the former President must be held accountable for his actions.
The indictment is a significant development in the ongoing legal battles faced by Trump since he left office in 2021. He has been the subject of several investigations, including the investigation into his alleged involvement in the January 6th insurrection at the US Capitol.
The case against Trump is likely to be closely watched by both his supporters and his detractors. Some people see the indictment as a long-overdue step towards holding the former President accountable for his actions, while others see it as a politically motivated attack on a potential presidential candidate.
Regardless of the outcome of the case, it is clear that the indictment has raised serious questions about the role of politics in the legal system and the potential for powerful individuals to escape prosecution due to their political status. The outcome of the case will have significant implications for the future of US politics and the rule of law in the country. Photo by Gage Skidmore from Peoria, AZ, United States of America, Wikimedia commons.