National

Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg is at the forefront of the historic indictment of former President Trump over his alleged role in a hush money scheme.

The big picture: Bragg, a Democrat who became Manhattan's first Black district attorney in 2022, is steering the high-profile grand jury investigation over Trump's alleged $130,000 hush money payment during the 2016 presidential campaign to adult film star Stormy Daniels. 

Trump is the first sitting or former U.S. president to be criminally charged.

Trump earlier this month predicted he would be arrested as part of the probe and called for protests. While some top Republicans have defended Trump, they've discouraged protests or violence.

Bragg, 49, was elected in 2021 to be Manhattan's district attorney, beating out seven other Democrats. Bragg succeeded Cyrus Vance, a Democrat who in 2021 said he would not run for a fourth term.

A former state and federal prosecutor who grew up in Harlem,  he centered his campaign for district attorney on a platform of balancing public safety and fairness for defendants.

The DA is tasked with prosecuting crimes in Manhattan and leads an office of more than 500 attorneys. 

The prosecutor often oversees cases involving defendants "with immense wealth, fame and influence," AP notes.

Of note: Many of Bragg's highest-profile cases have so far involved the former president. Late last year, the Trump Organization was convicted over what prosecutors said was a 15-year scheme to defraud state and federal tax authorities.

In 2022, two of Bragg's top prosecutors investigating Trump's business practices resigned after Bragg expressed concern about the strength of evidence in their case, which Vance had previously determined was enough to indict Trump.

Bragg inherited the years-long Trump probe from his predecessor. Vance in 2019 subpoenaed the Trump Organization for records related to the hush money payment. 

The Manhattan district attorney's office earlier this month invited Trump to testify before a New York grand jury as part of the probe into the hush money payment, signaling that the ex-president could face criminal charges. 

Grand juries, whose proceedings are closed to the public, have been criticized as being favorable to prosecutors.

Bragg has become the focus of Republican accusations that the prosecution was politically partisan, with House Republicans demanding his testimony in a newly launched investigation of his office's probe.

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (R), a potential 2024 presidential contender, broke his silence on the case this week and slammed Bragg as a "Soros-funded prosecutor," referring to indirect payments he's received from billionaire Democratic investor George Soros.

Democrats, meanwhile, have feared the New York case could be a political loser for them.

Bragg told his staff earlier this month — following Trump's call for protests over his possible arrest — that efforts to intimidate the district attorney's office would not be tolerated.

Go deeper... McCarthy orders probe of district attorney investigating Trump

Editor's note: This story was originally published on March 23.

McCarthy orders probe of district attorney investigating Trump

Meet the N.Y. prosecutor who brought historic Trump indictment

Many of Bragg's highest-profile cases have so far involved the former president.

Alvin Bragg, Manhattan district attorney, speaks during an interview in New York, US, on Thursday, Dec. 15, 2022.

Alvin Bragg, Manhattan district attorney, speaks during an interview in New York on Dec. 15. Photo: Christopher Goodney/Bloomberg via Getty Images

Donald Trump

<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2023/03/20/desantis-alvin-bragg-trump-indictment" data-vars-content-id="43807c92-e68f-43c2-a9e2-0f45693629f5" data-vars-headline="Meet the N.Y. prosecutor who brought historic Trump indictment" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2023/03/20/desantis-alvin-bragg-trump-indictment" target="_self">Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg</a> is at the forefront of the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="historic indictment" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2023/03/30/trump-indicted-manhattan-grand-jury-criminal" data-vars-content-id="43807c92-e68f-43c2-a9e2-0f45693629f5" data-vars-headline="Meet the N.Y. prosecutor who brought historic Trump indictment" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2023/03/30/trump-indicted-manhattan-grand-jury-criminal" target="_self">historic indictment</a> of <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="former President Trump" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/politics-policy/donald-trump" data-vars-content-id="43807c92-e68f-43c2-a9e2-0f45693629f5" data-vars-headline="Meet the N.Y. prosecutor who brought historic Trump indictment" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/politics-policy/donald-trump" target="_self">former President Trump</a> over his alleged role in a hush money scheme.The big picture: Bragg, a Democrat who became Manhattan&#x27;s first Black district attorney in 2022, is steering the high-profile grand jury investigation over Trump&#x27;s alleged $130,000 hush money payment during the 2016 presidential campaign to adult film star Stormy Daniels.

President Biden has made the COVID-19 crisis and a post-Trump return to national unity and traditional democratic ideals his top priorities. From vaccinations to stimulus to schools, Biden is seeking bipartisan compromise while showing a willingness to use executive authority and bare Democratic majorities in the U.S. House and Senate to implement his policies. Republican leaders are navigating deep party divisions over if and how to move beyond former President Trump.

Politics & Policy

This year's women's NCAA March Madness tournament is smashing viewership records.

By the numbers: The women's Elite Eight round of the tournament drew 2.2 million average viewers — the most on record for ESPN and 43% higher than 2022.

Overall, tournament viewership is up 42% from last season. 

Fans have consumed 4.7 billion minutes of women's March Madness content this tournament, which is also an ESPN record.

On the men's side, the Elite Eight games on CBS and TBS averaged 8.68 million viewers, which is a 14% drop from last season, per Sports Business Journal.

The Sweet 16 round also drew a record number of viewers for the tournament — an average of 1.2 million people watched each of those games. 

The Ohio State-University of Connecticut game during the Sweet 16 was the most-viewed Sweet Sixteen women’s game on ESPN record. 

Zoom in: University of Iowa phenom Caitlin Clark is breaking records on the court and has led her Hawkeyes to the Final Four, where they are set to take on the University of South Carolina.

The Louisville-Iowa game was ESPN's most-viewed Elite Eight game on record, with 2.5 million views. That's more than any NBA game on ESPN this season, per The Athletic.

For comparison, the regular season's most-watched college basketball games on ESPN were the mens' North Carolina-Duke games on Feb. 4 and March 4, which had 2.85 million viewers and 2.63 million viewers respectively.

Clark also became the first player — men's or women's — to achieve a 40-point triple-double in an NCAA tournament game.

The big picture: There have been years of inequities between the men's and women's NCAA tournaments. 

Women's teams in 2021 were given just a fraction of the resources as men's teams, sparking national outrage.

A 2021 report found that the NCAA prioritized men's basketball in nearly every sense — which exacerbated the different treatment. 

"The N.C.A.A.’s broadcast agreements, corporate sponsorship contracts, distribution of revenue, organizational structure and culture all prioritize Division I men’s basketball over everything else in ways that create, normalize and perpetuate gender inequities," the report, published after the 2021 tournament, said.

What to watch: How many fans tune into Clark and the Hawkeyes' Friday night Final Four match-up against South Carolina. (It's at 9 p.m.)

Go deeper... Player empowerment is key to the future of U.S. women's pro soccer

Editor's note: This story has been updated with additional numbers on the mens' March Madness tournament viewership.  

Player empowerment is key to the future of U.S. women's pro soccer

NCAA women's March Madness breaks records

A 2021 report found that the NCAA prioritized men's basketball in nearly every sense.

Caitlin Clark of the Iowa Hawkeyes reacts during the fourth quarter against the Louisville Cardinals in the Elite Eight round of the NCAA Women's Basketball Tournament at Climate Pledge Arena on March 26 in Seattle, Washington. Photo: Steph Chambers/Getty Images

National Collegiate Athletic Assocation (NCAA)

NCAA

This year&#x27;s <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="women&#x27;s NCAA March Madness" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2023/03/28/ncaa-women-tournament-final-four-set" data-vars-content-id="48d29637-1d13-478d-8ca5-55085c4721c9" data-vars-headline="NCAA women&#x27;s March Madness breaks records" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2023/03/28/ncaa-women-tournament-final-four-set" target="_self">women&#x27;s NCAA March Madness</a> tournament is smashing viewership records.By the numbers: The women&#x27;s Elite Eight round of the tournament drew 2.2 million average viewers — the most on record for <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="ESPN" data-vars-click-url="https://twitter.com/ESPNPR/status/1640836061088604161" data-vars-content-id="48d29637-1d13-478d-8ca5-55085c4721c9" data-vars-headline="NCAA women&#x27;s March Madness breaks records" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://twitter.com/ESPNPR/status/1640836061088604161" target="_blank">ESPN</a> and 43% higher than 2022.

Shifts in technology and media are changing the way we play, watch and understand sports. Business models are adapting and social change is forcing those in charge of teams and leagues to reconsider decades-old practices.

Sports

Former President Trump's historic indictment sets up a legal proceeding that may look similar to parts of routine felony arrest processing in New York — finger printing, a mug shot and all.

Yes, but: It's anything but standard as no sitting or former president has ever faced criminal charges.

A spokesperson for Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg said in a statement Thursday that the office "contacted Mr. Trump's attorney to coordinate his surrender to the Manhattan D.A.'s Office for arraignment on a Supreme Court indictment, which remains under seal." 

Trump is expected to be arraigned Tuesday afternoon at the Manhattan courthouse, court spokesperson Lucian Chalfen confirmed Friday.

After a suspect surrenders, they are processed privately, which means that Trump would likely be fingerprinted and have a mug shot taken.

Then, the arraignment hearing in New York would likely be the next court proceeding.

During that hearing, the judge will present the charges against Trump and the former president could enter a plea, per the Department of Justice.

Trump's attorney, Joe Tacopina, told ABC's "Good Morning America" on Friday that the former president "will not be put in handcuffs," adding that Trump will plead not guilty during the upcoming arraignment hearing.

"I understand they are going to be closing off blocks around the courthouse, shutting down the courthouse," Tacopina said of the arraignment hearing, though he did not give a timeframe.

Zoom out: Trump was indicted Thursday by a New York grand jury on charges related to an illegal hush money payment in 2016 to adult film star Stormy Daniels.

It's a historic indictment, and sets up a legal proceeding as the ex-president launches a 2024 presidential bid. 

The charges agreed on by the grand jury against Trump have not yet been released publicly. 

Go deeper... The legal woes surrounding Trump and his Manhattan indictment

Editor's note: This story has been updated with additional developments.

The legal woes surrounding Trump and his Manhattan indictment

What's next step for Trump after indictment

Finger printing and a mug shot, followed by an arraignment.

Former U.S. President Donald Trump arrives during a rally at the Waco Regional Airport on March 25, 2023 in Waco, Texas. 

<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Former President Trump" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/politics-policy/donald-trump" data-vars-content-id="ab78146e-287d-4d66-9342-49d7e27beab6" data-vars-headline="What&#x27;s next step for Trump after indictment" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/politics-policy/donald-trump" target="_self">Former President Trump</a>&#x27;s historic indictment sets up a legal proceeding that may look similar to parts of routine felony arrest processing in New York — finger printing, a mug shot and all.Yes, but: It&#x27;s anything but standard as no sitting or former president has ever faced criminal charges.

Former President Trump is not expected to take a plea deal if the case related to an illegal hush money payment in 2016 to adult film star Stormy Daniels goes to trial, his attorney said Friday.

Why it matters: Trump and his legal team are leaning on a well-worn playbook for the former president, who is running for office again and has evaded criminal charges for decades.

Trump will "absolutely" voluntarily surrender to Manhattan law enforcement, his attorney Joe Tacopina said Friday on NBC's "Today" show.

The former president is "not going to hole up in Mar-a-Lago," Tacopina added.

Trump won't take a plea deal because "there's no crime," Tacopina said.

He "initially was shocked" when he learned of the New York grand jury's indictment, Tacopina added.

"After he got over that, he put a notch on his belt and he decided we have to fight now," he said.

Trump's attorney in another legal inquiry — involving the former president's handling of classified documents — predicted Friday that the Trump team will file a motion to dismiss the New York charges.

"I would think in very short order, you'll see a motion to dismiss, or several motions to dismiss," James Trusty said on CNN. 

"I think this will be something you can expect in days or weeks, not weeks or months," he added.

The big picture: Trump, who has said that he would stay in the 2024 contest even if he was indicted, often casts himself as the victim of overzealous investigators.

Trump said Thursday that the indictment was an act of "Political Persecution" and accused Democrats of "weaponizing our justice system to punish a political opponent, who just so happens to be a President of the United States and by far the leading Republican candidate for President."

The former president is the subject of at least four known criminal investigations, including probes into his efforts to subvert 2020 election results, handling of presidential records and business fraud. 

What to watch: Trump is expected to be arraigned Tuesday afternoon at the Manhattan courthouse, court spokesperson Lucian Chalfen confirmed.

Go deeper... Congress enters "dangerous" territory as Trump indicted

Editor's note: This article has been updated with new details throughout.

president's handling of classified documents

Congress enters "dangerous" territory as Trump indicted

How Trump plans to fight the indictment

"President Trump will not take a plea deal in this case," Trump's attorney said.

Former U.S. President Donald Trump speaks during a rally at the Waco Regional Airport on March 25, 2023 in Waco, Texas.

Former President Trump speaks during a rally at the Waco Regional Airport on March 25, 2023 in Waco, Texas. Photo: Brandon Bell/Getty Images

<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Former President Trump" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/politics-policy/donald-trump" data-vars-content-id="b4a91b91-ddba-4f6a-807d-37e56e7f1689" data-vars-headline="How Trump plans to fight the indictment" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/politics-policy/donald-trump" target="_self">Former President Trump</a> is not expected to take a plea deal if the case related to an <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="illegal hush money payment" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2023/03/18/trump-stormy-daniels-payment-probe" data-vars-content-id="b4a91b91-ddba-4f6a-807d-37e56e7f1689" data-vars-headline="How Trump plans to fight the indictment" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2023/03/18/trump-stormy-daniels-payment-probe" target="_self">illegal hush money payment</a> in 2016 to adult film star Stormy Daniels goes to trial, his attorney said Friday.Why it matters: Trump and his legal team are leaning on a well-worn playbook for the former president, who is running for office again and has <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="evaded criminal charges" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2023/03/31/trump-indictment-control" data-vars-content-id="b4a91b91-ddba-4f6a-807d-37e56e7f1689" data-vars-headline="How Trump plans to fight the indictment" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2023/03/31/trump-indictment-control" target="_self">evaded criminal charges</a> for decades.

A grand jury in New York indicted former President Trump on Thursday on charges related to a 2016 illegal hush money payment to adult film star Stormy Daniels who alleged they had an affair, the Manhattan district attorney's office confirmed.

Why it matters: Trump, who's running for president in 2024 and facing multiple criminal probes, is the first president in U.S. history — sitting or former — to face criminal charges. The indictment is sure to ripple through his latest presidential campaign.

The charges come more than four years after Michael Cohen, the lawyer who handled the payment for Trump, was convicted and sentenced to three years in prison. He has been a witness against the former president.

The prospect of a Trump indictment was raised in early March after the district attorney's office invited Trump to testify before a grand jury.

State of play: "This evening we contacted Mr. Trump's attorney to coordinate his surrender to the Manhattan D.A.'s Office for arraignment on a Supreme Court indictment, which remains under seal," a spokesperson for Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg said in a statement. 

"Guidance will be provided when the arraignment date is selected."

A New York Police Department spokesperson told Axios that every member of the NYPD will report in full uniform Friday as a "precautionary measure" in response to Trump’s indictment.

What they're saying: Trump in a statement Thursday claimed the indictment was an act of "Political Persecution" and accused Democrats of "weaponizing our justice system to punish a political opponent, who just so happens to be a President of the United States and by far the leading Republican candidate for President."

Meanwhile, an attorney for Daniels tweeted Thursday evening that the indictment is "no cause for joy."

"The hard work and conscientiousness of the grand jurors must be respected," Clark Brewster said. "Now let truth and justice prevail. No one is above the law."

Trump's attorney did not immediately respond to Axios' request for comment and the White House declined to comment.

Worth noting: The Trump campaign later sent fundraising emails asking for donations to help defend the MAGA movement "from the never-ending witch hunts."

The big picture: Trump, who frequently casts himself as a victim of overzealous investigators, the media and others, has repeatedly blasted the probe on Truth Social.

While Trump publicly predicted earlier this month that he would be arrested, upending news cycles and provoking reactions across his party, the grand jury investigating him did not conclude on that timeline.

Trump also called for protests, which prompted law enforcement to prepare for large-scale demonstrations that did not materialize.

Background: After his conviction, Cohen alleged that Trump had ordered him to pay Daniels $130,000 in hush money just before the 2016 election and later reimbursed him for it through the Trump Organization as legal expenses.

Trump has denied the affair. His legal team claimed he's "the victim of extortion" from Daniels and called Bragg's efforts to have him indicted "insane."

Federal prosecutors did not pursue charges in the case, but Bragg's office chose to do so — a controversial decision that made Bragg the focus of Republican accusations that the prosecution was politically partisan. 

Of note: Capitol Hill allies of Trump came to his defense after the indictment news broke. 

At least one Republican figure, former Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson, has said Trump should drop out of the 2024 presidential race if he's indicted.

Zoom out: Trump also faces a federal investigation over his efforts to interfere with the 2020 election results and his handling of classified materials.

In Georgia, Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis' office is investigating whether Trump’s efforts to overturn the 2020 election results there violated state law.

Editor's note: This is a breaking news story. Please check back for new details.

Trump indicted by Manhattan grand jury

A U.S. president has never been indicted for criminal conduct before.

Former President Donald Trump speaking in National Harbor, Maryland, in March 2023.

Former President Trump speaking in National Harbor, Maryland, in March. Photo: Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images

A grand jury in New York indicted former <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="President Trump" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2023/03/07/trump-kari-lake-vice-president-candidates-2024" data-vars-content-id="d6e7611c-fdb2-46d1-b292-bff360111643" data-vars-headline="Trump indicted by Manhattan grand jury" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2023/03/07/trump-kari-lake-vice-president-candidates-2024" target="_self">President Trump</a> on Thursday on charges related to a 2016 <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="illegal hush money payment" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2023/03/18/trump-stormy-daniels-payment-probe" data-vars-content-id="d6e7611c-fdb2-46d1-b292-bff360111643" data-vars-headline="Trump indicted by Manhattan grand jury" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2023/03/18/trump-stormy-daniels-payment-probe" target="_self">illegal hush money payment</a> to adult film star Stormy Daniels who alleged they had an affair, the Manhattan district attorney&#x27;s office confirmed.Why it matters: Trump, who&#x27;s <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="running for president in 2024" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2023/03/14/republicans-trump-desantis-2024-nomination" data-vars-content-id="d6e7611c-fdb2-46d1-b292-bff360111643" data-vars-headline="Trump indicted by Manhattan grand jury" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2023/03/14/republicans-trump-desantis-2024-nomination" target="_self">running for president in 2024</a> and facing multiple criminal probes, is the first president in U.S. history — sitting or former — to face criminal charges. The indictment is sure to <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="ripple through his latest presidential campaign" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2023/03/15/trump-indictment-charges-manhattan-2024" data-vars-content-id="d6e7611c-fdb2-46d1-b292-bff360111643" data-vars-headline="Trump indicted by Manhattan grand jury" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2023/03/15/trump-indictment-charges-manhattan-2024" target="_self">ripple through his latest presidential campaign</a>.

Erin Doherty

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Trump indicted by Manhattan grand jury

Meet the N.Y. prosecutor who brought historic Trump indictment