Trump charged in New York

Ex-president slams ‘interference’ in poll

Donald Trump, the ex-president and frontrunner to be Republican nominee in 2024, is set to face a mug shot, finger-printing and a court appearance next week after being indicted over a probe into hush money paid to a porn star in a historic US first.

The possible spectacle of Mr Trump’s appearance in Manhattan before a judge with media camped outside could further divide the world’s most powerful country.

The specific charges against Mr Trump are not yet known as the indictment remains under seal, but CNN on Thursday reported Mr Trump faced more than 30 counts related to business fraud.

Mr Trump, 76, said he was “completely innocent” and accused Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg, the Democrat who led the investigation, of trying to hurt his electoral chances.

“This is Political Persecution and Election Interference at the highest level in history,” Mr Trump said in a statement.

Shortly after, Mr Trump appealed to supporters to provide money for a legal defence.

He has raised over US$2 million (68 million baht) since March 18, according to his campaign, and called for people to protest.

A small number of supporters rallied at Mr Trump’s Mar-a-Lago property in Florida on Thursday, waving flags along the highway, while a critic of the former president held a sign near the New York DA’s office reading: “Lock him up and throw away the key.”

Authorities bolstered security around the Manhattan courthouse after Mr Trump earlier this month called for nationwide protests, recalling

his charged rhetoric ahead of the Jan 6, 2021, attack on the US Capitol by his supporters.

Neither the White House nor President Joe Biden, a Democrat who is widely expected to seek re-election in a possible rematch against Mr Trump, commented on Thursday.

But the party’s top senator, Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, called for matters to play out calmly.

“I encourage both Mr. Trump’s critics and supporters to let the process proceed peacefully and according to the law,” he said in a statement.

The Manhattan investigation is just one of several legal challenges concerning Mr Trump.

Mr Trump also faces a separate criminal probe into whether he unlawfully tried to overturn his 2020 election defeat in Georgia, and two investigations by a special counsel including over his handling of classified documents after leaving office.

The Manhattan charges will likely be unsealed by a judge in the coming days and Mr Trump will have to travel there for fingerprinting and other processing at that point.

He is expected to appear before a judge next week where the charges will be formally read, according to a court official.

Mr Trump’s lawyers Susan Necheles and Joseph Tacopina said they will “vigorously fight” the charges.

Mr Trump received support from a number of his potential challengers for the Republican nomination on Thursday including Florida Governor Ron DeSantis and former Vice President Mike Pence.

“This will only further serve to divide our country,” Mr Pence said.

Mr Trump could use the case to stoke anger among his core supporters, though other Republican voters might tire of the drama.

Some 44% of Republicans said he should drop out of the race if he is indicted, according to a Reuters/Ipsos poll released last week.