N.Y. Trump Grand Jury Will Take Weeks-Long Break, Reports Say

Topline

The Manhattan grand jury weighing whether to bring criminal charges against former President Donald Trump is set to take a break until late April starting next week, according to multiple reports, further delaying a vote to potentially indict the former president more than a week after he predicted his own arrest.

Then-President Donald Trump speaks to the media prior to departing on Marine One from the South Lawn … [+] of the White House in Washington on September 12, 2019. (Photo by SAUL LOEB/AFP via Getty Images)

AFP via Getty Images

Key Facts

The break was scheduled for the grand jury months ago, though it’s possible plans could change, according to Politico.

The 23-member panel will reportedly convene Thursday and meet again next Monday and Wednesday before going on the break.

The meetings in the coming days are expected to involve a matter separate from the Trump case, Politico reported, citing a source with knowledge of the secret proceedings.

A spokesman for the Manhattan district attorney’s office did not immediately respond to a request for comment from Forbes.

Surprising Fact

The grand jury typically meets on Mondays, Wednesdays and Thursdays, but its Wednesday session was reportedly canceled this week due to scheduling issues. In some prior weeks, the grand jury has reviewed non-Trump-related cases on Thursdays, according to the Associated Press.

What To Watch For

It is unclear when the grand jury may hold a vote to indict the former president—or whether it will vote in favor of indicting him. Trump has indicated he will turn himself in if he is criminally charged, meaning he will likely be fingerprinted and have a mugshot taken.

Key Background

The grand jury appears to be wrapping up its years-long investigation involving Trump, as it reportedly offered him the chance to testify earlier this month—a strong sign the probe is nearing completion and an indictment is likely. Numerous reports suggested in the past days and weeks that an indictment was imminent, while Trump even predicted March 21 as his arrest date, but the exact status of grand jury proceedings remains unknown. The crux of its investigation is purportedly a $130,000 payment former Trump fixer Michael Cohen made to porn star Stormy Daniels in the final days of the 2016 presidential campaign to keep her from publicly disclosing an alleged affair with Trump. She ultimately did go public with the allegations in 2018, though Trump has denied them and distanced himself from the payment. Legal experts have suggested Trump could face a misdemeanor charge for falsifying business records since Cohen was reimbursed for so-called legal services, but it’s speculated prosecutors might also argue the payment amounted to a felony illegal campaign donation—a complicated and largely untested theory.

Tangent

Manhattan DA Alvin Bragg has faced nearly daily attacks from Trump on social media, while he also received a mailed death threat in an envelope containing a suspicious white powder Friday (the powder was later deemed non-hazardous). Trump has called for protests and warned of “potential death & destruction” if he is indicted.