Donald Trump is being indicted on 34 counts, US media report. Critics say the process is politically motivated. The president denies any wrongdoing. All of the charges relate to Trump’s alleged falsification of business documents in order to conceal other crimes.
According to the prosecution, the crimes revolve around payments to three individuals. These people allegedly had information that Trump considered damaging.
US media report that the individuals are two women and one man. The women are former porn star Stormy Daniels and a model with whom Trump allegedly had relationships. The man is a former Trump Tower employee who claimed that Trump had a child out of wedlock, according to AP.
Trump was formally detained during the arraignment, but shortly after the charges were read, he was seen leaving the court in a large procession of black cars. Critics say the arrest was an unnecessary and politically motivated gesture.
Trump will travel to his Mar-a-Lago home in Florida where he is expected to give a speech. Other critics point to this as a sign that he is not taking the indictment seriously and is continuing to engage in political theater.