Former Trump attorney Michael Cohen has come out as a witness against his ex-boss in the DA’s investigation. Cohen claims that Trump directed him to pay adult film star Stormy Daniels $130,000 to buy her silence over an alleged affair with Trump, which the former president has repeatedly denied. Bragg is investigating whether Trump falsified business records in reporting $130,000 in payments reimbursing Cohen as a legal expense.
Republican lawmakers have rallied around the former president since he predicted he would be arrested, using their House majority to call on Bragg to testify before Congress. But House Speaker Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., a close Trump ally, said people should not protest if Trump is indicted. “Nobody should harm one another …We want calmness out there,” McCarthy told reporters.
In a Thursday post, Trump pushed back on suggestions that people remain calm. “OUR COUNTRY IS BEING DESTROYED, AS THEY TELL US TO BE PEACEFUL!” he wrote.
Trump’s call to action has so far received a subdued reception from supporters, with small crowds showing up to protest the DA’s actions.
Trump faces a separate inquiry by the Justice Department’s special counsel into his actions relating to the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol by his supporters. Ahead of the violence and rioting, Trump had used rhetoric to fire up his base, writing in a social media post, “Be there, will be wild!”
Five people died during and after the attack and more than 100 police officers were injured. Democrats have pinned the blame on Trump, accusing him of inciting the riot to block the certification of Joe Biden’s presidential victory.
The U.S. Capitol Police are taking security precautions to prepare for protests stemming from a potential Trump indictment.
Source: | This article originally belongs to Nbcnews.com
