Unpacking former President Donald Trump’s arrest | Symone

Donald Trump Indicted on 34 Felony Charges

In this transcript, former President Donald Trump is indicted on 34 first-degree felony charges of falsifying business records. The charges center around a series of reimbursements Trump made to his former attorney and key witness in the case, Michael Cohen.

Charges Against Donald Trump

• Former President Donald Trump has been indicted on 34 first-degree felony charges of falsifying business records.

• The charges center around a series of reimbursements Trump made to his former attorney and key witness in the case, Michael Cohen.

• Prosecutors allege that after the 2016 election, Trump reimbursed Cohen through a series of disguised monthly payments that hid the true nature of the payoff.

• This alleged cover-up included 11 falsified invoices, 12 falsified general ledger entries, and 11 checks falsely presenting hush money payments as retainer fees for Michael Cohen.

Intent to Defraud

• The district attorney's office asserts that Trump "falsified these New York business records with the intent to defraud," including "the intent to commit another crime and to aid and conceal the commission of another crime."

• During his arraignment, prosecutors noted Trump's dangerous rhetoric in the days just before. Judge Juan Marshawn instructed both sides to refrain from making comments or engaging in conduct that has the potential to incite violence or create civil unrest.

Reaction from Donald Trump

• Just hours after being instructed not to engage in conduct that could incite violence or jeopardize anyone's safety or well-being, Donald Trump appeared before hundreds of supporters at Mar-A-Lago where he attacked Judge Marshawn, his wife, and daughter.

• In 2018, Trump stated that he is not above the law but has an absolute right to pardon himself.

New York State Election Law and Protective Order

In this section, Lisa discusses the New York state election law that prohibits conspiring to promote or prevent the election of any one person to public office. She also talks about the question of intent to commit tax fraud. Additionally, she explains how a protective order is being worked out between prosecutors and Donald Trump's team.

New York State Election Law

• New York state election law 17-152 prohibits conspiring to promote or prevent the election of any one person to public office.

• It is not limited to State office or federal office; it's just the promotion of a particular candidate for election to public office.

Intent to Commit Tax Fraud

• The third issue is the question of an intent to commit tax fraud.

• Michael Cohen and Alan Weisselberg had a scheme in place when Cohen was getting repaid for his payments to Stormy Daniels, even though he intended to report that as his income.

Protective Order

• Prosecutors and Donald Trump's team are working out a protective order related to evidence in the case.

• The protective order would ensure that Trump does not share any information provided with him and his attorneys.

• Violations of the protective order come with penalties including but not limited to contempt of court which could be a fine or even jail time.

• The prosecution wants sensitive documents reviewed only within the confines of Trump's lawyer's office and not personally taken possession by him.

Enforcing Protective Orders

In this section, Lisa explains how protective orders are enforced by courts. She also talks about why prosecutors believe that such an order is necessary in this case.

Enforcing Protective Orders

• Protective orders are enforced by the court, and violations come with penalties including but not limited to contempt of court which could be a fine or even jail time.

• If there is a fight about the boundaries of the protective order, the judge will likely grant more of what the prosecution wants than what the defense pushes back with.

Necessity of Protective Order

• The proof that a protective order is needed is in Donald Trump's truth social post.

• Prosecutors do not want Donald Trump to share any information provided to him and his attorneys that could potentially put people at risk.

• Sensitive documents should only be reviewed within the confines of Trump's lawyer's office and not personally taken possession by him.

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