HOME       Contact Us      Hire Us       Domestic Airlines        Railway Enquiry     Railway Booking     Hotels & Flights Abroad
NEIGHBOURS CALLING:      Dubai      Malaysia     Nepal     Bhutan
indiatraveltimes.com
US military plane carrying illegal Indian immigrants landing at Amritsar || Trump proposes to take over Gaza, threatens to annihilate Iran || US pauses tariff on Canada, Mexico || China counters US tariff with 5% more || Muslim spiritual leader Aga Khan dies at 88 || Will Kash Patel's amorous manoeuvres threaten US security? || - India Travel Times.Com   [Estd: 1998]       * * *    Travel, More Travel, Travel Means A Million Things     * * *    
Trump indicted in Stormy Daniels hush-money case, likely to surrender

What next: His fingerprints and mugshot will be taken like any defendant in criminal cases. Arrest is unlikely (Florida Governor can block any warrant, complicating matters). Trump's attorney Tacopina said Trump will turn himself in.

Can Trump contest presidential election? Yes. There is no existing US law to bar him. He can even serve as President from prison.

The loophole: The Grand Jury has no documentary evidence as the NDA was not signed either by Trump or Cohen (Trump's attorney who turned hostile) on his behalf. It is depending on the testimony of Cohen and Daniels.

Where do Republicans stand: At any rate, the 'stormy petrel' has cooked Donald Trump's presidential goose, although he thinks otherwise. The Republicans are a divided lot.

by RM Nair

NEW YORK CITY, March 31: Former US President Donald Trump has been indicted by the Manhattan Grand Jury in the case relating to the hush-money payment made to adult actress Stormy Daniels during the campaign for the 2016 presidential election which he had won.

Trump, 76, is the first-ever former US President to be indicted in a criminal case. He has denied all charges.

Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg's office has stated that Trump's attorney Joe Tacopina was told after the jury voting on Thursday evening to "co-ordinate his surrender." He is likely to be ordered to appear in the State of New York Supreme Court in Manhattan on Tuesday next when he will be chargesheeted. But no date has been officially stated yet, nor the charges been disclosed, Tacopina said. His fingerprints and mugshot will be taken like any defendant in criminal cases. Arrest, handcuffing and a 'prep walk' are unlikely. An order for extradition, if any, can be thwarted by Florida Republican Guv Ron DeSantis, making the process extremely complex. Instead, Tacopina has told the attorney's office Trump himself will come and surrender. Trump's hometown is New York, but he has been living in Florida after leaving the White House.

Trump reacted to the indictment: The Attorney is "doing Joe Biden's dirty work". His lawyer said 'he is ready to fight."

Alvin Bragg, a Democrat, had earlier denied all charges of political vendetta.

President Joe Biden remarked: “I have no comment on Trump.”

Donald Trump will face criminal charges in the 2016 case of the $130,000 hush-money payment to Stormy Daniels, officially named Stephanie Gregory Clifford, now 44. The Grand Jury voted to indict Trump after investigating the payment to silence her over an alleged affair with him which was not disclosed as electoral expense. The payment was made during the presidential campaign and just days before the 2016 election. The affair relates to 2006.

Can Trump contest presidential election 2024?

As of now there is no US law (but there have been legislative moves towards that in recent times) that prevents a candidate, who is indicted or found guilty of a crime, from campaigning or serving as President, even from prison. However, the developments can upend his campaign, but he hopes otherwise.

Stormy Daniels will dance

Stormy Daniels had tweeted Tuesday last week she will “dance down the street” of New York if Trump is jailed.

The case

The charge against Trump before the New York Grand Jury relates to the hush-money Daniels was paid by Trump's personal lawyer Michael Cohen (who turned hostile) during the 2016 presidential election campaign lest his prospects in defeating Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton were harmed by her planned disclosures about relationships with Trump. During the 2016 campaign she was planning to sell the story of her affair with Trump of 2006 to media. Trump got wind of it and his aides were deployed to silence her. Cohen admitted in his testimony to the Grand Jury he gave the money to Daniels for an agreement to silence her. This amounted to hiding matters from the voters to prevent any harm to his electoral prospects if Daniels published the stories, which is a violation of the election law in the State (charge No 1).

More serious and more relevant to the case is that the unaccounted payment during campaign amounted to a violation of the State's electoral law - because as it was done to hide issues from the voters, it is legally an election expense. (charge No 2).

Trump while reimbursing Cohen the $130,000 Cohen paid on his behalf to Daniels, logged it in his business records as legal expenses, which is a falsification of accounts (charge No 3).

Committing a criime (falsifying records) to cover up another crime (hiding electoral expenses) is a more serious felony. (charge No 4)

The payment in itself or the NDA (non-disclosure agreement) is not at all illegal. An NDA or non-disclosure agreement is a binding contract between two or more parties that prevents sensitive information from being shared with others. NDAs are very common for personal and business purposes in the US.

However, the Grand Jury has no documentary evidence as the NDA was not signed either by Trump or Cohen on his behalf. This had been disclosed earlier in a court in connection with another case.

Michael Cohen has already been in federal prison for campaign finance violation related to the payment he made to Daniels on behalf of Trump.

The NDA in court

In March 2018 Daniels sued to be released from the NDA made 11 days before the election in 2016. The case was dismissed (gone in her favour) as the agreement was deemed unenforceable. The California judge ordered Trump to pay legal fees to Daniels. Daniels' suit alleged President Trump "purposely did not sign the agreement so he could later, if need be, publicly disavow any knowledge of the Hush Agreement. He failed to put his name on their contract," she said.

The existence of the nondisclosure contract had become known after The Wall Street Journal reported it.

Karen McDougal payment

Another payment was made on similar lines to another alleged Trump paramour by the publisher of The National Enquirer David Pecker. Trump's alleged former mistress Playboy model Karen McDougal received $150,000 from Pecker’s company.

'Potential death and destruction'

A letter threatening to kill 'Alvin' (Attorney Alvin Bragg) was found at the Manhattan District Attorney's office on March 24. Same day on his social media, Truth Social, Trump had warned if he were to be indicted it could result in "potential death and destruction."

Trump's message to supporters

Trump had last week called on his supporters to "protest" and "take our nation back" if he is indicted. He posted on his social media site, 'Truth Social', on March 18 after he predicted that the indictment would come on March 21:- "...Now illegal leaks from a corrupt & highly political Manhattan District Attorney's office, which has allowed new records to be set in violent crime & whose leader is funded by George Soros, indicate that, with no crime being able to be proven, & and based on old & fully debunked (by numerous other prosecutors!) fairytale, the far & away leading Republican candidate & the former President of the United States of America, will be arrested on Tuesday of next week. Protest, take our nation back!"

Security outside Manhattan court had been ramped up as also in Washington DC as a precaution even before Trump had on March 18 called on his supporters to stage protests if he were indicted. There had also been online threats against legal and Government officials, especially against the Manhattan District Attorney.

No full support to Trump from Ron DeSantis, Kevin McCarthy

House of Representatives Speaker (Republican) Kevin McCarthy and other party leaders are rallying around Trump. But McCarthy called for calm among supporters. He tweeted on Tuesday: "Here we go again - an outrageous abuse of power by a radical DA who lets violent criminals walk as he pursues political vengeance against President Trump. I'm directing relevant committees to immediately investigate if federal funds are being used to subvert our democracy by interfering in elections with politically motivated prosecutions."

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, also a likely GOP presidential candidate, while disagreeing with the investigation, also did not fully support Trump.

Trump had reportedly raised $1.5 million after his indictment prediction in just three days.

Opinion is divided on the impact of the indictment on his campaign. Trump claims a wave in his favour.

Trump's other cases

Trump is facing several other criminal investigations at the State and Federal levels like his efforts to overturn his 2020 election loss in the State of Georgia, his handling of classified documents and his possible involvement in the January 6 rioting, apart from other tax and business litigation.

Trump twice impeached

Trump was twice impeached by the House of Representatives and was acquitted by the Senate.


SELECTIONS FROM OUR ARCHIVES

A PROGNOSIS: Much maligned over old age and gaffes (or allowed to be !), Biden (81) leaving the scene has made Trump (78) the old man in the field! Now on a weak wicket, having forced to change his target mid-stream and rearrange his campaign strategy, the 'rogue' behind the Capitol rampage will be asked by a woman opponent, how old are you? Additionally, the sharpshooting prosecutor will be converting the hustings into a trial court for a decisive onslaught where the convicted felon will finally succumb.

OPINION: Quotas, permanent Government jobs, pay scales and tons of allowances and more than matching pensions are the 'gifts' of wretched vote bank politics in developing societies masquerading as a type of nascent democracy. Depressing poverty and painful migrations are the byproducts. The reality is: There can't be permanent jobs because demand for work is a 'variable'. And quota is its offspring. The agenda of creating jobs and quotas is therefore poor economics, with far-reaching social impacts, but of course serves those politicians in the short term.

ANALYSIS: A pious Catholic and a gentleman (in contrast to the savage-looking felon), Biden is the most experienced politician that he doesn't look. Of Irish descent, he has been around the Capitol Hill and the White House for over five decades, quietly observing people and events. With his rich experience and insight, understanding Biden and what he does now will be possible only retrospectively, may be a year later!! Therefore not many Americans can see that for some time now he has been preparing his 'favourite child' to take on his mantle.

At the end of it all what will stand is what Nikki Haley said on X, "Mark my words... Biden will not be the Democratic nominee. Republicans, get your guard up!"

If and when he withdraws from contest, he must quit White House as well. Why?

OPPOSITION WAKES UP ! The Opposition accused the Prime Minister, who seems to insist he alone will inaugurate everything in the country, of "hurriedly inaugurating" an "incomplete terminal" in March last for publicity on the eve of the general elections. At that time he had also laid the foundation stone for 15 other airport projects across the country. He was also accused of inaugurating an incomplete Ram temple in Ayodhya in January which started leaking in the first downpour last weekend.

It is also puzzling why every few years airport buildings are demolished in Delhi and new plans are made for new constructions and nobody seems to take notice! (Because the airport itself is tucked away in a far corner, not easily accessible to the discerning, with a web of roads going only round and round like a tape around a spool, as if not reaching anywhere!)

Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge accused the Modi Government of "corruption and criminal negligence" in the name of infrastructure projects (launched every other day) in the last 10 years. Kharge also said Modi has been keen on indulging in ribbon-cutting ceremonies.

Trinamool Congress leader Saket Gokhale asked, "Why shouldn't PM Modi be charged with culpable homicide?"

COMMENT: A simple question but difficult to understand is why the people should be concerned about whether an NTA director is sacked for paper leakage or a DGP is removed for law and order breakdown. The people have nothing to do with the elite appointments nor their conduct. They are the cousin-brothers of the political dispensation. If not barred by fixation, kindly take a look at other countries!

“What I want to do and what I will do is, you graduate from a college, I think you should get automatically as part of your diploma (two-year programs or doctoral degrees) a green card to be able to stay in this country” permanently, the presidential candidate said. Asked if he would promise to allow the “best and the brightest around the world to (come to) America,” Trump firmly replied: “I do promise.”

COMMENT: Could Biden visualise a better immigration formula to build a still stronger America? Will Kamala Harris, in charge of migration, and struggling for ideas, take note?

Delhi has recorded the hottest night (35+ deg C), unheard of since the beginning of time! For 30 consecutive days the maximum temp is above 40 deg C and in the nights too the mercury stayed high as there is hardly any earth around to absorb and dissipate the day's heat. Add on to the nightmare the acute water shortage in the national Capital due to the power-hungry, low-grade politicians squabbling for one-upmanship. More than 200 people died in Delhi-NCR in the past two days. Most of them are poor people, labourers, the homeless, beggars.

An anatomy of NEET 2024: From the start till finish NEET will stay put as a conundrum jinxed as it is. What if it was thought angels would come down from the heaven to conduct the entrance exam if done at the Centre and if in the States, they would be conducted by the corrupt mortals. So NEET was born... It's 'guaranteed' that no party will ever be able to do what is required to be done in the country. Because of their genetics. Frauds will only multiply. Is there anything worse? Yes. Shoot the messenger!

A video shows the terrifying scene of the chopper swirling and dropping nose down mid-air around the helipad. In fact, the rear rotor had gone for a toss and the pilot was performing autorotation for a crash-landing. He pulled it off! Congrats!

True or false, Savitri claimed her husband had told her to throw Vinod into the canal as all that he does is eat. "How much torture can my son endure?" She picked him up when he was asleep.

Marking a decisive stage in the ongoing tussle between Governors and the Governments in some States, the Governor of Bengal has thrown down the gauntlet to the State police, asking the Raj Bhavan staff to refuse any enquiry from the cops in the sexual harassment case filed by a woman employee against him.

COMMENT: In many a case complaints can be frivolous, made under certain circumstances. So it is more in the interest of the accused that there is an investigation to clear his name. Denial may only mean acceptance of the guilt. Besides, quoting Constitutional immunity in sexual harassment cases is nothing short of a vulgarity of the feudal landlord. Nobody is above the law.

While the universal apprentice scheme will enable the educated youth to stand up (literally) in a country where the people are trampled by wretched politicians, and look about for avenues to earn a living confidently, the provision of student credit cards of up to Rs 10 lakh will ensure each and every student of this country receives equal opportunities to fulfil their aspirations of higher education irrespective of their financial conditions. It will be a game changer. These are on the lines of what US Vice-President Kamala Harris visualised to be happening to the Third World when she hailed Ajay Banga as a transformative World Bank President.

Peter Higgs is the father of the mysterious Higgs boson, otherwise called 'God Particle', which gives mass to all elementary particles, and created our universe. His contribution helped other scientists understand how the Big Bang created something out of nothing 13.8 billion years ago. The equations of particle physicists which did not have a leg to stand on till then, the 'God Particle' came as a Godsend. The theories so far to describe the universe did not hold water.

It was only by 2012, after 50 years of the boson discovery, that scientists at CERN could make the big announcement that they had finally found a Higgs boson using the Large Hadron Collider.

Higgs instantly broke into tears, tears of profound satisfaction, in the lecture hall where the announcement was made.

LEGAL REMEDIES: Last year, on the directive of the Supreme Court, the Governor granted assent to one Bill, and referred seven Bills to the President. The petition against the President also challenges the Governor's action of referring the Bills to her.

The unprecedented step by the State may also establish that it always upholds the Constitution and the rule of law in order to pre-empt any eventuality of getting dismissed on flimsy grounds invoking provisions of the Constitution later on; and, also provide a thrust to an emerging platform of regional forces pitted against the ongoing centralisation of every subject and activity in the country under one umbrella where the States will ultimately 'wither' away (for some time).

OPINION: Made to happen as it does just weeks ahead of the general elections, the arrest may signal, if not the cause of, far-reaching consequences in the course of Indian politics. The Opposition charges that the ruling party at the Centre has unleashed the police to catch a leader every other day for corruption allegedly indulged in in the present or the remote past in order to incapacitate any concerted opposition to the ruling dispensation.

The “My way or the highway" man, Trump has predicted 'apocalypse' for Americans if he is not elected the President in the upcoming election. He sounds “extremism, affection for violence." As always, he is also seeing what others don't, and repetitively using words like "(2020) election was stolen"! And that's a symptom! Delivering a no-holds-barred speech at a rally in Ohio, he also predicted the US won't see another election if he did not win the November battle against the incumbent President. With his savage push against the God-fearing Catholic, and the heap of criminal cases pending in the courts, the unpredictable Trump's nomination exposes a season of drought of leadership of calibre in the United States.

The much-touted 'one-nation, one-election' argument was purportedly to prevent wasteful expenditure of the people's money, manpower and deceleration of development, but the committee report when implemented will end up paving the way for holding more elections than currently being held. Because of the logistics and democratic limitations involved, the committee was not expected by commonsense to be out of a loose end either! Those who are alive at that time, and further for ten more years thereafter, can count the rounds and compare with the present numbers. Therefore, either the agenda is different or the 8-volume presentation is faulty/made-up!!!

The manager has defended himself saying that dry ice got mixed with mouth freshener by the negligence of the staff...After taking the mouth freshener the customers felt a burning sensation and started vomiting blood. Five of them were hospitalised. Two are in critical condition.

Harmful effects of dry ice: Ingested, dry ice can burn your mouth, esophagus and stomach as it sublimates on contact with the moisture of the organs and turns into CO2, apart from other damaging physical and chemical changes it induces. The pressure building up in the stomach due to sublimation can also rupture the stomach muscles. It turns lethal. In normal direct handling it leads to frostbite due to the cold temperature.

One of them is seen in CCTV being shot at close range. The motive is suspected to be personal enmity.

TAILPIECE: Almost every other day we hear of shootings in one place or other in the country. India will very soon replace the US as the world's No 1 in the incidence of mass shooting. It will eclipse terrorism as a source of concern. Who can help? At least, has it occurred to anyone's mind?

'This Moment' of Shakti fusion won the Best Global Music Album at the Grammys. Zakir Hussain has won two other awards too. In a great victory for Indians, five of them have won the Grammys this time. In other sections, Taylor Swift got her fourth Album of the Year award and Miley Cyrus got an award for the first time.

Previous Files
ARCHIVES


Neighbours
Calling

Bhutan
Nepal
Malaysia
Dubai

Maha Kumbh Mela: Millions of pilgrims take holy dip at Triveni Sangam in Prayag on Vasant Panchami
Veteran Malayalam playback singer P Jayachandran passes away at 80 after prolonged illness
Sabarimala Lord Ayyappa temple opens for annual Mandala, Makaravilakku pilgrimage festivals
PM inaugurates RJ Sankara Eye Hospital in Varanasi
Swaminarayan temple in New York's Melville vandalised
10-day Ganesh Chaturthi celebrations end with idol immersion
Ayodhya celebrates first Ram Navami at Ram temple after 500 years
Spiritual leader Sadhguru undergoes emergency brain operation for bleeding in Delhi hospital
Tens of thousands of women celebrate Pongala festival at Attukal temple in Thiruvananthapuram
Jain monk Acharya Vidyasagar Maharaj attains samadhi after 'sallekhana' at Chandragiri Teerth

Fashion & Lifestyle
Cuisines
Yoga & Asanas
Fairs, Festivals & Melas
Religion & Cult
Pilgrimage
Art & Culture
History, Legends & Mythology
Ayurveda
Free Ayurveda Consultation
ARCHIVES
A Window On India
Fashion & Lifestyle
Yoga & Asanas
Fairs, Festivals & Melas
Religion & Cult
Pilgrimage
Art & Culture
History, Legends & Mythology
Ayurveda
News (Archives)
Travel News
Travel News Archives
Travel News Index




Custom Search