NEW YORK: The drama surrounding Donald Trump’s possible indictment over hush money paid to a porn star took a new twist on Wednesday after a New York grand jury failed to meet as expected — delaying a decision, potentially into next week.
Speculation that a historic indictment of Trump may be imminent has been building since Trump announced he was expecting to be arrested.
But on Wednesday, the grand jury session was called off, unnamed law enforcement officials told multiple US media outlets, without giving a reason. The New York Times reported that these are not unusual interruptions.
New York has been holding its breath with barricades outside Trump Tower and police on high alert over an expected indictment for days — with increasing tension on Tuesday, the day Donald Trump said he would be arrested. He was not.
The grand jury panel usually meets on Thursdays also, but Insider, which broke the news of the meeting cancellation, quoted one source as saying it may not meet again this week, meaning the earliest decision might come on Monday.
Trump to become first US president ever charged with crime
If the jury panel eventually votes to indict, Trump would become the first former or sitting president ever charged with a crime.
The unprecedented decision would send shockwaves through the 2024 election campaign, in which Donald Trump is running to regain office.
The Times has reported that Donald Trump favors the idea of being paraded in front of media cameras by law enforcement in what is known as a perp walk. Prosecutor Alvin Bragg likely intends to avoid any spectacle that could rile up Donald Trump’s base.
Bragg formed the grand jury in January following his investigation into $130,000 paid to Stormy Daniels in 2016.
