Not only has he been indicted once, but sources say he has been indicted for a second time, and now American want to know if their former leader could end up behind bars.
Could Donald Trump go to prison?
On March 30, 2023, Trump was indicted by a Manhattan grand jury for his alleged role in a hush-money scandal involving porn actress Stormy Daniels.
He later pleaded not guilty on April 4 to 34 felony charges, according to Politico.
Trump has continuously denied having any role in the alleged scandal, but his legal woes did not stop there.
Just two months later, on June 8, he was indicted again, this time in Florida, on federal charges connected to his handling of classified documents, according to ABC News.
“We’re learning from our sources that there appears to be at least seven counts here,” ABC News’ Katherine Faulders said.
“This ranges from everything from the willful retention of national defense information to conspiracy to a scheme to conceal to false statements and representations.”
Trump later took to social media to deny any wrongdoing again, claiming that the case is a “hoax.”
“INNOCENT,” he wrote, via ABC News.
If convicted on all 34 counts of the first indictment, he could face up to 136 years in state prison, however, several legal experts say that it’s highly unlikely.
“I can’t say for absolute 100% certainty there can’t be jail because on the books, he can go to jail,” defense attorney Arthur Aidala told Insider, but he added, “I do not see a scenario where Donald Trump spends one minute in jail.”
More information on the number of years Trump is facing on the second indictment will be released after charges are announced.
What charges is Donald Trump facing?
On the first indictment, Trump is facing 34 counts of falsifying business records in the first degree, a class E felony, according to the press release from the Manhattan District Attorney’s office.
He is accused of falsifying the records in New York to “conceal damaging information and unlawful activity from American voters before and after the 2016 election,” the press release states.
“The People of the State of New York allege that Donald J. Trump repeatedly and fraudulently falsified New York business records to conceal crimes that hid damaging information from the voting public during the 2016 presidential election,” Manhattan District Attorney Alvin L. Bragg, Jr. said.
“Manhattan is home to the country’s most significant business market. We cannot allow New York businesses to manipulate their records to cover up criminal conduct.
“As the Statement of Facts describes, the trail of money and lies exposes a pattern that, the People allege, violates one of New York’s basic and fundamental business laws.
“As this office has done time and time again, we today uphold our solemn responsibility to ensure that everyone stands equal before the law,” Bragg continued.
During the arraignment, Trump was quiet, but just hours later, he made his first remarks in a “campaign-style speech.”
“I never thought anything like this could happen in America,” Trump said at his Mar-a-Lago resort, via CBS News.
“Never thought it could happen. The only crime that I’ve committed is to fearlessly defend our nation from those who seek to destroy it.”
He went on to claim that the indictment was an attack from the Democrats, saying that his opponents have “really stepped up their efforts by indicting the 45th president of the United States.”
“With all of this being said and with a very dark cloud over our beloved country, I have no doubt, nevertheless, that we will make America great again,” Trump concluded.
When is Donald Trump’s trial?
Trump’s trial on the first indictment is set to begin on March 25, 2024.
A trial date for the second indictment is expected to be announced at a later date.
He’s scheduled to be arraigned on the second indictment in a Miami court on June 13, 2023, according to ABC News.