The Manhattan grand jury overseeing Donald Trump’s attempted cover-up of an alleged affair he had with adult film actress Stormy Daniels won’t convene on Wednesday.
This is another delay in what appears to be the closest the former President has come to accountability thus far.
The grand jury in the case meets just three days a week — hearing evidence in the case on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays but was told today “not to come in.”
In 2016, Trump allegedly approved the $130,000 “hush money” payment to Daniels.
The adult film actress and best-selling author met with the Manhattan District Attorney’s office to answer questions last week — on the same day that former Trump fixer and attorney, Michael Cohen, testified for several hours before the grand jury — sending the ex-President on a violence-inciting social media tear.
After Trump called for his supporters to take to the streets in protest of his potential indictment, a bomb threat was called into the court overseeing another Trump-related lawsuit, the civil case brought by New York Attorney General Letitia James.
Though no reason has been given for the grand jury’s pause, it comes two days after unexpected testimony from Cohen’s former legal adviser — and Trumpworld attorney — Robert Costello who spoke on behalf of the defense.
Donald Trump and his allies have wasted no time disparaging both Cohen and Daniels, accusing the duo of lying about the encounter, and subsequent payoff.
“Bragg is having a hard time with the Grand Jury, especially after the powerful testimony against him by Felong Cohen’s highly respected former lawyer,” Trump wrote in a Truth Social post..
According to sources close to the matter, the jury isn’t expected to meet on Thursday.
Grand jury testimony is confidential, preventing discussion about the proceedings.
Fear, intimidation, and inciting violence are on brand for Donald Trump — siccing his rabid base on those he considers his “enemies” — and some are willing to oblige as witnessed on January 6th.
Refusing to be intimidated by the former President’s threats, Manhattan District Attorney Bragg has put the city of New York on stand-by, increasing NYPD presence.
“We do not tolerate attempts to intimidate our office or threaten the rule of law in New York,” the prosecutor said in a memo.
Bragg has already been successful in prosecuting Trump for both the Trump Foundation scam charity and the fraudulent Trump University and won convictions on all 17 counts brought to trial.
It’s been speculated by legal analysts that a potential new legal strategy from the District Attorney’s office may be the reason for the temporary pause in the grand jury proceedings.
let’s hope that’s the case.
Original reporting by Laura Italiano at Business Insider.
Follow Ty Ross on Twitter @cooltxchick
