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Donald Trump: His four biggest legal problems Donald Trump: His four biggest legal problems
(10 days later)
Donald Trump is under investigation for everything from his handling of top secret documents to alleged payments made to a former adult film star - and he is facing numerous lawsuits as well. Donald Trump has become the first former US president to face criminal charges, for alleged hush money payments made to a porn star just before the 2016 presidential election.
It can be difficult to keep track of the investigations, so here's four that could have the biggest impact on him both personally and politically. But he is facing numerous lawsuits as well and it can be difficult to keep track of the investigations. Here are four that could have the biggest impact on him both personally and politically.
What's being investigated?What's being investigated?
Prosecutors in New York are investigating alleged hush-money payments made on Mr Trump's behalf to Stormy Daniels, a former adult film star who went public with claims the pair had an affair. A grand jury has voted to indict the former president after New York prosecutors investigated a $130,000 pay-out to former adult star Stormy Daniels.
Mr Trump denies they had sexual relations. The charges have not yet been made public. Ms Daniels claims she and Mr Trump had sex, and that she accepted the money from his former lawyer before the 2016 election in exchange for her silence on the encounter.
Mr Trump has always denied they had sexual relations.
Meanwhile, the business practices of his family company, the Trump Organization, are being examined by prosecutors.Meanwhile, the business practices of his family company, the Trump Organization, are being examined by prosecutors.
Letitia James, the New York attorney general, is leading a civil investigation (which cannot result in criminal charges) and has spent years looking at whether the company committed various acts of fraud over several decades.Letitia James, the New York attorney general, is leading a civil investigation (which cannot result in criminal charges) and has spent years looking at whether the company committed various acts of fraud over several decades.
A criminal investigation is being led by the Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg, and is looking at similar issues.A criminal investigation is being led by the Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg, and is looking at similar issues.
What has Trump said?What has Trump said?
A member of his legal team told the Associated Press that there was no legal basis for the Stormy Daniels case and he did not believe prosecutors had made a decision on charges. Mr Trump has described the indictment in the Stormy Daniels case as "political persecution" and said he doesn't expect a fair trial.
He is expected to appear in court on Tuesday, where he will be presented with the charges and enter a plea.
Separately, the former president and his lawyers have insisted the allegations against the Trump Organization are politically motivated.Separately, the former president and his lawyers have insisted the allegations against the Trump Organization are politically motivated.
Mr Trump has repeatedly criticised both Ms James and Mr Bragg.Mr Trump has repeatedly criticised both Ms James and Mr Bragg.
So how serious is it?So how serious is it?
In the Stormy Daniels case, Mr Trump has been invited to testify to a grand jury. Experts suggest this indicates he could soon face criminal charges, but it is not clear what these could be. Although details of the charges in the Stormy Daniels case are yet to be disclosed, it will be the first criminal case ever brought against a former US president.
If prosecutors proceed, it would be the first criminal case ever brought against a former US president.
The criminal investigation into the Trump Organization has already yielded convictions. The company was found guilty in December of fraud and falsifying business records and fined $1.6m (£1.31m). Allen Weisselberg, the organisation's chief financial officer, was sentenced to five months in jail in January.The criminal investigation into the Trump Organization has already yielded convictions. The company was found guilty in December of fraud and falsifying business records and fined $1.6m (£1.31m). Allen Weisselberg, the organisation's chief financial officer, was sentenced to five months in jail in January.
In the civil case, Ms James has filed a lawsuit against Mr Trump and three of his children accusing them of "astounding" fraud and deception.In the civil case, Ms James has filed a lawsuit against Mr Trump and three of his children accusing them of "astounding" fraud and deception.
The lawsuit alleges that the family inflated their net worth by billions, and is seeking $250m (£226m) that was allegedly obtained through fraudulent means. It's also seeking bans on Mr Trump and his children from serving in a leadership role in any New York business.The lawsuit alleges that the family inflated their net worth by billions, and is seeking $250m (£226m) that was allegedly obtained through fraudulent means. It's also seeking bans on Mr Trump and his children from serving in a leadership role in any New York business.
A Manhattan judge has denied Mr Trump's bid to delay the trial, saying the scheduled date of 2 October is "written in stone".A Manhattan judge has denied Mr Trump's bid to delay the trial, saying the scheduled date of 2 October is "written in stone".
What's being investigated?What's being investigated?
The Department of Justice is looking into the removal of government documents from the White House, which were then taken to Mr Trump's Florida estate, Mar-a-Lago, after he left office. Investigators are assessing how these documents were stored and who may have had access to them.The Department of Justice is looking into the removal of government documents from the White House, which were then taken to Mr Trump's Florida estate, Mar-a-Lago, after he left office. Investigators are assessing how these documents were stored and who may have had access to them.
The former president's sprawling beachside property was searched in August and 11,000 documents were seized, including around 100 marked as classified. Some of these were labelled top secret.The former president's sprawling beachside property was searched in August and 11,000 documents were seized, including around 100 marked as classified. Some of these were labelled top secret.
Unsurprisingly, we know very little about what's in the documents at this stage. But classified material usually contains information that officials feel could damage national security if made public.Unsurprisingly, we know very little about what's in the documents at this stage. But classified material usually contains information that officials feel could damage national security if made public.
What has Trump said?What has Trump said?
He's denied wrongdoing and criticised the justice department's investigation, branding it "politically motivated" and a "witch-hunt".He's denied wrongdoing and criticised the justice department's investigation, branding it "politically motivated" and a "witch-hunt".
He has offered shifting defences which have mostly hinged on the argument that he declassified the material. No evidence has yet been provided that this is true.He has offered shifting defences which have mostly hinged on the argument that he declassified the material. No evidence has yet been provided that this is true.
The former president has also argued that some of the documents are protected by "privilege" - a legal concept that would prevent them from being used in future proceedings. An independent lawyer is reviewing the seized material to determine if this is the case and that process continues.The former president has also argued that some of the documents are protected by "privilege" - a legal concept that would prevent them from being used in future proceedings. An independent lawyer is reviewing the seized material to determine if this is the case and that process continues.
But Mr Trump has not directly addressed the key question of why the documents were at Mar-a-Lago in the first place.But Mr Trump has not directly addressed the key question of why the documents were at Mar-a-Lago in the first place.
So how serious is it?So how serious is it?
This is an active criminal investigation and could result in charges being filed.This is an active criminal investigation and could result in charges being filed.
Among other statutes, the justice department believes Mr Trump may have violated the Espionage Act by keeping national security information that "could be used to the injury of the United States".Among other statutes, the justice department believes Mr Trump may have violated the Espionage Act by keeping national security information that "could be used to the injury of the United States".
In addition to charges relating to the classified documents themselves, prosecutors are also looking at obstruction of justice as another potential crime.In addition to charges relating to the classified documents themselves, prosecutors are also looking at obstruction of justice as another potential crime.
Mr Trump's team are now locked in a legal battle with the justice department over the investigation.Mr Trump's team are now locked in a legal battle with the justice department over the investigation.
The department has appointed an independent lawyer, or special counsel, to oversee all of its criminal investigations into Mr Trump. Jack Smith will lead its various inquiries and will ultimately decide whether to bring charges.The department has appointed an independent lawyer, or special counsel, to oversee all of its criminal investigations into Mr Trump. Jack Smith will lead its various inquiries and will ultimately decide whether to bring charges.
What's being investigated?What's being investigated?
Mr Trump's alleged role in the attack on the US Capitol on 6 January 2021, when a mob of his supporters stormed the building in an effort to stop the confirmation of President Joe Biden's election victory, is under scrutiny from several federal government bodies.Mr Trump's alleged role in the attack on the US Capitol on 6 January 2021, when a mob of his supporters stormed the building in an effort to stop the confirmation of President Joe Biden's election victory, is under scrutiny from several federal government bodies.
The most visible has been a congressional committee that spent 18 months looking into Mr Trump's actions. They held a series of televised hearings laying out their case that his election fraud claims led directly to the riot.The most visible has been a congressional committee that spent 18 months looking into Mr Trump's actions. They held a series of televised hearings laying out their case that his election fraud claims led directly to the riot.
Following these hearings, the committee accused Mr Trump of inciting insurrection and other crimes.Following these hearings, the committee accused Mr Trump of inciting insurrection and other crimes.
More coverageMore coverage
Special counsel: Who will decide whether to charge Trump?Special counsel: Who will decide whether to charge Trump?
Mar-a-Lago search: Why did the FBI go inside?Mar-a-Lago search: Why did the FBI go inside?
Legal bills: Donors spending millions on Trump's battlesLegal bills: Donors spending millions on Trump's battles
Stormy Daniels: Trump invited to testify before grand jury Stormy Daniels: This is what will happen when Trump is arrested
The justice department is running a separate criminal probe into 6 January and broader efforts to overturn the election - but this has largely been shrouded in secrecy. It's the largest police investigation in US history, but the extent to which Mr Trump is a target is unclear.The justice department is running a separate criminal probe into 6 January and broader efforts to overturn the election - but this has largely been shrouded in secrecy. It's the largest police investigation in US history, but the extent to which Mr Trump is a target is unclear.
What has Trump said?What has Trump said?
He's denied responsibility for the riot and criticised the congressional committee, which he described as a "kangaroo court" and "unselect pseudo-committee".He's denied responsibility for the riot and criticised the congressional committee, which he described as a "kangaroo court" and "unselect pseudo-committee".
He has continued to repeat his unsubstantiated allegations of widespread voter fraud.He has continued to repeat his unsubstantiated allegations of widespread voter fraud.
So how serious is it?So how serious is it?
The congressional committee - made up of seven Democrats and two Republicans - concluded its hearings by recommending four criminal charges against Mr Trump which it then referred to the justice department.The congressional committee - made up of seven Democrats and two Republicans - concluded its hearings by recommending four criminal charges against Mr Trump which it then referred to the justice department.
The move was largely symbolic as it is up to the department to decide whether to file criminal charges. There is no indication this is imminent.The move was largely symbolic as it is up to the department to decide whether to file criminal charges. There is no indication this is imminent.
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Watch the moment Trump supporters stormed the US Capitol buildingWatch the moment Trump supporters stormed the US Capitol building
Watch the moment Trump supporters stormed the US Capitol buildingWatch the moment Trump supporters stormed the US Capitol building
The justice department's criminal probe, however, has already led to hundreds of people who stormed the Capitol being charged.The justice department's criminal probe, however, has already led to hundreds of people who stormed the Capitol being charged.
The former president has not been called for questioning in that inquiry, but it remains a possibility. He could also - in theory - be charged if investigators believe there is sufficient evidence of wrongdoing.The former president has not been called for questioning in that inquiry, but it remains a possibility. He could also - in theory - be charged if investigators believe there is sufficient evidence of wrongdoing.
What's being investigated?What's being investigated?
Prosecutors spent eight months looking into alleged attempts to overturn Mr Trump's narrow loss in the state in the 2020 presidential election.Prosecutors spent eight months looking into alleged attempts to overturn Mr Trump's narrow loss in the state in the 2020 presidential election.
The criminal investigation was opened after the disclosure of an hour-long phone call between the former president and the state's top election official on 2 January 2021.The criminal investigation was opened after the disclosure of an hour-long phone call between the former president and the state's top election official on 2 January 2021.
"I just want to find 11,780 votes," Mr Trump said during the call to Republican Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger - a reference to the number of ballots needed to give him victory in the swing state."I just want to find 11,780 votes," Mr Trump said during the call to Republican Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger - a reference to the number of ballots needed to give him victory in the swing state.
A grand jury investigating the case was dissolved earlier this year after filing a final report, which remains sealed.A grand jury investigating the case was dissolved earlier this year after filing a final report, which remains sealed.
What has Trump said?What has Trump said?
He's described the investigation - as he has many others - as a "witch hunt".He's described the investigation - as he has many others - as a "witch hunt".
Mr Trump has also attacked the legal official leading the inquiry - the chief prosecutor of Fulton County, Fani Willis - as a "young, ambitious, Radical Left Democrat... who is presiding over one of the most Crime Ridden and Corrupt places".Mr Trump has also attacked the legal official leading the inquiry - the chief prosecutor of Fulton County, Fani Willis - as a "young, ambitious, Radical Left Democrat... who is presiding over one of the most Crime Ridden and Corrupt places".
So how serious is it?So how serious is it?
"The allegations are very serious. If indicted and convicted, people are facing prison sentences," Ms Willis told the Washington Post last month."The allegations are very serious. If indicted and convicted, people are facing prison sentences," Ms Willis told the Washington Post last month.
The 26-member grand jury did not have indictment powers but may have recommended charges. Among the potential crimes it looked into were the solicitation of election fraud, making false statements to government officials, and racketeering.The 26-member grand jury did not have indictment powers but may have recommended charges. Among the potential crimes it looked into were the solicitation of election fraud, making false statements to government officials, and racketeering.
It is not known whether the former president is being directly investigated, but some of his allies are known to be part of the inquiry.It is not known whether the former president is being directly investigated, but some of his allies are known to be part of the inquiry.
For a criminal conviction, however, prosecutors would ultimately need to prove beyond reasonable doubt that those involved knew their actions were fraudulent.For a criminal conviction, however, prosecutors would ultimately need to prove beyond reasonable doubt that those involved knew their actions were fraudulent.
In January, a prosecutor working on behalf of Fulton County said the district attorney's office believes the report should only be released after prosecutors determine whether or not to bring charges.In January, a prosecutor working on behalf of Fulton County said the district attorney's office believes the report should only be released after prosecutors determine whether or not to bring charges.
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