Former President Donald Trump said Saturday he will be arrested in connection with the hush money probe to adult film actress Stormy Daniels and called on his supporters to protest if he is indicted.
In posts on his social media site, Truth Social, Trump called himself the “leading Republican candidate and former president of the United States will be arrested on Tuesday of next week” – but he stopped short of going into detail as to why he expects to be arrested. FWRD AXIS News reported Friday that law enforcement officials at the local, state, and federal levels are preparing for the possibility that former president will be indicted in New York next week once final interviews are conducted.
Trump also called on his supporters to protest, echoing calls from January 6, writing, “Protest, take our nation back.”
Trump, a candidate for the Republican presidential nomination, claimed “illegal leaks” gave him advanced notice that he will be indicted.
“PROTEST, TAKE OUR NATION BACK!” he wrote.
House Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) and other Republicans came to Trump’s defense on Saturday, claiming the impending indictment is nothing more than a political stunt.
“Here we go again — an outrageous abuse of power by a radical DA who lets violent criminals walk as he pursues political vengeance against President Trump,” McCarthy wrote on Twitter.
“I’m directing relevant committees to immediately investigate if federal funds are being used to subvert our democracy by interfering in elections with politically motivated prosecutions,” McCarthy added.
Speaking on SiriusXM radio, former Vice President Mike Pence came to his former boss’ defense as well, saying the probe “reeks of the kind of political prosecution that we endured back in the days of the Russia hoax.”
Rep. Elise Stefanik (R-N.Y.) called Trump’s possible arrest “unAmerican” and Rep. Andy Biggs (R-Ariz.) said “If they can come for Trump, they will come for you. This type of stuff only occurs in third world authoritarian nations.”
If they can come for Trump, they will come for you.
This type of stuff only occurs in third world authoritarian nations.
— Rep Andy Biggs (@RepAndyBiggsAZ) March 18, 2023
Here we go again — an outrageous abuse of power by a radical DA who lets violent criminals walk as he pursues political vengeance against President Trump.
I’m directing relevant committees to immediately investigate if federal funds are being used to subvert our democracy by…
— Kevin McCarthy (@SpeakerMcCarthy) March 18, 2023
My full statement on the illegal leaks stating that President Trump will be arrested next week: pic.twitter.com/VaTNVMjXpd
— Elise Stefanik (@EliseStefanik) March 18, 2023
Later in the day, Trump doubled down on his calls for protests, calling on his supporters to “save America” and slammed President Joe Biden in the process.
“WE JUST CAN’T ALLOW THIS ANYMORE. THEY’RE KILLING OUR NATION AS WE SIT BACK & WATCH. WE MUST SAVE AMERICA!PROTEST, PROTEST, PROTEST!!!,” he wrote.
If Trump is indicted, it would be a historic moment. No president in the history of the United States has been criminally charged and a criminal charge would represent a dramatic escalation of his legal woes as he works to take back the White House in 2024.
