News emerged over the last few days that a felony indictment of former President Donald Trump seems likely in New York City, Trump’s former home.
Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg, who has been investigating legal violations surrounding Trump’s reported six-figure hush money payment to Stormy Daniels, seems ready to bring charges as early as this week.
So as Democrats cheer and Republicans threaten the district attorney, all eyes are now on Bragg and his next moves.
Who is Alvin Bragg?
A Harlem native who went to Harvard for college and law school, Bragg was once called “the anointed one” by the school’s campus newspaper for his on-campus presence and possible political ambitions. But, as Blavity reported, former federal prosecutor Alvin Bragg made history in 2021 when he became the first Black person elected as Manhattan district attorney. When he ran for office, Bragg campaigned on a platform that included tackling gun violence in the city while reducing incarceration, particularly at the city’s notorious Riker’s Island. Bragg also inherited investigations of Trump, a longtime Manhattan resident before his presidency, and the Trump Organization.
Last February, two top prosecutors in Bragg’s office resigned after learning that Bragg would not move forward with criminal charges against the Trump Organization related to a series of shady financial dealings by the business. In the year since then, however, Bragg has secured a conviction against the Trump Organization for tax fraud, leading to a $1.6 million fine. Now, Bragg has built a case against Trump himself, relating to false information Trump may have given concerning a $130,000 payment to adult actress Stormy Daniels to buy her silence concerning an affair she claims to have had with Trump.
Republican backlash against Bragg
As news spread that Bragg is getting ready to charge Trump, Republicans have continued to attack the prosecutor. Speaker of the House Kevin McCarthy accused Bragg of ”abusing his office to target President Trump” and threatened to investigate Bragg and other “Soros-backed DA’s across the country,” a reference to billionaire Democratic donor George Soros, a common target of right-wing conspiracy theories.
Alvin Bragg is abusing his office to target President Trump while he’s reduced a majority of felonies, including violent crimes, to misdemeanors. He has different rules for political opponents.
Republicans stopped the radical DC crime law, and we will investigate any use of… https://t.co/5yYIo8SUOC
— Kevin McCarthy (@SpeakerMcCarthy) March 19, 2023
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, a rising Republican star and possible rival of Donald Trump for the Republican presidential nomination, repeated the accusation that Bragg is a “Soros-funded prosecutor,” while also throwing shade at Trump for “paying hush money to a porn star.” DeSantis also criticized Bragg for not being tough on crime.
Ron DeSantis is asked about a possible Trump indictment. He immediately blasts the Manhattan DA as a “Soros-funded prosecutor.” But then he also says, “look, I don’t know what goes into paying hush money to a porn star to secure silence over some type of alleged affair.” pic.twitter.com/g63X2U3xlk
— Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) March 20, 2023
House Judiciary Committee Chairman Jim Jordan, R-Ohio, threatened to investigate Bragg’s office over its investigation of Trump.
Was the Manhattan DA’s office in communication with DOJ about their investigation of President Trump?
Was the Manhattan DA’s office using federal funds to investigate President Trump?
Alvin Bragg owes our committee answers. pic.twitter.com/G6mL4Jfiiq
— Rep. Jim Jordan (@Jim_Jordan) March 20, 2023
Rep. Ritchie Torres, D-N.H., called the proposed investigation against Bragg “a kangaroo investigation” and a “weaponization of government.”
Ron DeSantis is asked about a possible Trump indictment. He immediately blasts the Manhattan DA as a “Soros-funded prosecutor.” But then he also says, “look, I don’t know what goes into paying hush money to a porn star to secure silence over some type of alleged affair.” pic.twitter.com/g63X2U3xlk
— Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) March 20, 2023
Legal expert Joyce Alene stated, “It’s not up to House Republicans to review Manhattan DA Alvin Bragg’s conduct. It’s up to Manhattan voters.”
Ron DeSantis is asked about a possible Trump indictment. He immediately blasts the Manhattan DA as a “Soros-funded prosecutor.” But then he also says, “look, I don’t know what goes into paying hush money to a porn star to secure silence over some type of alleged affair.” pic.twitter.com/g63X2U3xlk
— Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) March 20, 2023
With an arrest of Trump possibly happening this week, Bragg and his case against the former president will continue to be in the spotlight for some time. As a result, the days and weeks ahead will likely shape the Manhattan DA’s legacy.
