Why would Donald Trump be arrested? Mobile

Donald Trump set off a political firestorm when the former president said he expects to be arrested this week.

The comments made via Trump’s social media network Truth Social come as New York City District Attorney Alvin Bragg is reportedly wrapping up a grand jury investigation in connection to hush money payments to women who allegedly had sexual encounters with Trump.

In his message, Trump said:

“THE FAR & AWAY LEADING REPUBLICAN CANDIDATE & FORMER PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, WILL BE ARRESTED ON TUESDAY OF NEXT WEEK,” adding supporters should “PROTEST, PROTEST, PROTEST!!!”

The probe, he said is a “continuation of the most disgusting witch hunt in our nation’s history.”

Lawyers and spokespeople for the former president said there has been no communication from prosecutors and Trump was simply responding to social media stories.

The investigation centers on some $130,000 paid to pornographic film actress Stormy Daniels, during Trump’s 2016 presidential campaign. Forbes is reporting charges would likely be for falsifying business records related to the payments and alleged reimbursements to his former attorney Michael Cohen that were paid as legal fees through the Trump Organization.

In New York, the charges could be a felony if it’s proven the business records were falsified to cover up a crime and could carry a prison sentence of up to four years. The New York Times reported, however, the most likely charges would be for falsifying business records, typically a misdemeanor.

Daniels claims she was paid by Cohen to keep quiet about an alleged sexual encounter with Trump in 2006. Cohen, who claims Trump directed him to make the payment, pleaded guilty in 2018 to campaign finance violations and other charges related to money given to Daniels and another woman. Trump has denied the claims.

Trump is currently seeking the Republican nomination for the presidency in 2024. An indictment would not disqualify him from running for president.