Trump indictment: Trump faces some 2 dozen counts, including felonies, sources say

Trump has become the first former U.S. president to face criminal charges.

Last Updated: April 3, 2023, 5:10 PM EDT

Donald Trump was indicted by a Manhattan grand jury on Thursday, becoming the first former U.S. president to face criminal charges.

It was not immediately clear what the indictment was connected to, or what charges Trump will face. The indictment is under seal.

Trump is expected to surrender in New York City early this week, sources familiar with the matter told ABC News.

Latest headlines:

Here's how the news is developing. All times Eastern.
Mar 30, 2023, 6:24 PM EDT

Trump tells ABC News indictment is 'attack on our country'

Former President Donald Trump told ABC News over the phone that the indictment is "an attack on our country."

He called it a "political persecution," adding, "They are trying to impact an election."

PHOTO: President Donald Trump looks on after concluding his speech during the first rally for his re-election campaign at Waco Regional Airport in Waco, Texas, U.S., March 25, 2023. REUTERS/Leah Millis
President Donald Trump looks on after concluding his speech during the first rally for his re-election campaign at Waco Regional Airport in Waco, Texas,March 25, 2023.
Leah Millis/Reuters

Trump in a statement Thursday called himself a "completely innocent person" facing "an act of blatant Election Interference."

Trump said, "Our Movement, and our Party - united and strong - will first defeat [Manhattan District Attorney] Alvin Bragg, and then we will defeat Joe Biden, and we are going to throw every last one of these Crooked Democrats out of office so we can MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN!”

Trump's attorneys said in a statement Thursday, "He did not commit any crime. We will vigorously fight this political prosecution in Court."

Trump's son, Donald Trump Jr., said on his podcast Thursday, "This is weaponized justice at its worst."

Mar 30, 2023, 6:14 PM EDT

Stormy Daniels' lawyer responds to indictment

Stormy Daniels' lawyer, Clark Brewster, issued a statement on the indictment, saying: "The indictment of Donald Trump is no cause for joy. The hard work and conscientiousness of the grand jurors must be respected. Now let truth and justice prevail. No one is above the law."

Adult film actress Stormy Daniels arrives for the opening of the adult entertainment fair Venus in Berlin, on Oct. 11, 2018.
Markus Schreiber/AP, FILE

While the indictment remains under seal, Trump had been under investigation by the Manhattan district attorney over a $130,000 payment he made to the adult film actress to keep her from going public with a claim of an affair, which he denies.

Mar 30, 2023, 6:03 PM EDT

Trump's indictment could mark turning point in 2024 campaign, even if he says otherwise: ANALYSIS

Donald Trump being formally accused of a crime could change the outlook for the still-forming field of Republican presidential candidates in 2024 -- either rallying primary voters primed by his talk of the "deep state" and "retribution" or opening up an unprecedented line of criticism for Trump's rivals.

The indictment itself isn't disqualifying, legally speaking. The U.S. Constitution doesn't prevent people under indictment or criminal investigation from running for the White House, experts have told ABC News, so the former president could still be reelected despite the indictment -- and would still be eligible even if it leads to a conviction, regardless of practical obstacles like potential incarceration.

Former President Donald Trump looks on during a rally at the Waco Regional Airport, March 25, 2023, in Waco, Texas.
Brandon Bell/Getty Images

Mar 30, 2023, 5:50 PM EDT

Trump indicted

ABC News has learned that former president Donald Trump has been indicted, according to multiple sources with knowledge. The charges were not immediately clear.

Former President Donald Trump speaks to reporters before his speech at the annual Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC), Mar. 4, 2023, in National Harbor, Md.
Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images

Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg has notified Trump.

Trump's former attorney, Michael Cohen, said in a statement, "I do take solace in validating the adage that no one is above the law; not even a former President."

"Today’s indictment is not the end of this chapter; but rather, just the beginning," Cohen said. "Accountability matters and I stand by my testimony and the evidence I have provided to [the district attorney's office]."

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