The Manhattan grand jury, anticipated to consider criminal charges against former President Donald Trump regarding the payment of hush money to adult film star Stormy Daniels, will not meet on Wednesday, with uncertainty surrounding their Thursday meeting, according to an anonymous source. The reason for the schedule change remains unclear.
The grand jury is not obligated to convene three times every week, typically gathering on Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday afternoons. It is possible that the grand jury may hear from an additional witness before voting on whether to return an indictment in relation to the hush money payment.
The adjournment has caused speculation among those close to Trump, with advisors questioning whether it indicates weaknesses in the case being prosecuted by Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg or if there is more incriminating evidence yet to surface. The district attorney’s office spokesperson did not respond to requests for comment.
On Monday, prosecutors permitted Trump-aligned lawyer Robert Costello to testify before the grand jury. Costello criticized the credibility and account of the prosecution’s key witness, former Donald Trump lawyer Michael Cohen.
The case revolves around the $130,000 Donald Trump paid Daniels through Cohen during the final days of the 2016 election. Donald Trump later reimbursed Cohen with $35,000 checks from his personal funds, which were documented as legal expenses. In 2018, Cohen pleaded guilty to federal charges, some linked to these payments.
The potential charges against Donald Trump remain uncertain, though some of his legal team members believe a base charge of falsifying business records, combined with tax fraud, is most probable, as Trump would not have paid tax on the payments.
In recent days, Donald Trump has seemingly accepted the likelihood of facing criminal charges in the hush-money case. The Guardian previously reported that Donald Trump insisted to his advisors that he wants to be handcuffed when appearing in court. The former president aims to make a spectacle of the situation, viewing it as a way to display defiance against what he deems an unfair prosecution and to energize his base for a possible 2024 presidential campaign. Sources close to Trump indicate that he fears appearing weak or like a loser if given special arrangements.
Trump’s legal team has advised against him appearing in person, suggesting that he quietly turns himself in next week and schedules a remote appearance. They cited guidance from his Secret Service detail regarding security concerns. However, Donald Trump has dismissed this approach, telling allies that he would not mind being shot, as it would make him “a martyr” and potentially secure his victory in the 2024 presidential election.