Trump was officially arrested in New York City on 34 felony counts relating to the falsification of business records. Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg gave a press conference shortly after Trump’s arraignment to give some details about the case and answer a few questions from the media. Bragg stated the obvious, that all 34 felony counts were related to the alleged $130,000 paid to adult film star Stormy Daniels during the 2016 Presidential Campaign. The problem is that the issue of paying Stormy Daniels can only rise to the level of a misdemeanor at best. There is a two-year statute of limitations in New York for misdemeanors.
The only way to charge Trump with a crime, in this case, would be to somehow elevate the misdemeanor into felonious offenses. This is where the case gets murky. Alvin Bragg says the 34 felonies are justified because the initial misdemeanors were committed to conceal another crime. Nowhere in the actual indictment paperwork does Bragg reveal what this “other” crime is. When asked about that particular detail by media at the press conference, Bragg refuses to answer and says that it is not required by law to reveal such information.
SOURCES:
Read the full Trump indictment charging him with 34 felony counts and the statement of facts – CBS News
Manhattan DA Alvin Bragg holds press briefing following Trump arraignment – YouTube
Donald Trump pleads not guilty to 34 felony counts of falsifying business records | CNN Politics
Trump arrest is political earthquake as 2024 election, Iowa approaches
Trump Decries Charges After Pleading Not Guilty to 34 Felony Counts – The New York Times
Late-Night TV Hosts React to Donald Trump’s Arrest, Arraignment: Watch – Rolling Stone
Late Night Celebrates Donald Trump’s History-Making Arrest – The New York Times
Fingerprints, but no mugshot? What we know about Trump’s arrest – BBC News
Donald Trump calls for defunding federal police after his arrest in New York
