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After a lengthy investigation and a years-long effort to secure access to former President Donald Trump's financial records, Manhattan District Attorney Cy Vance's office has secured the approval of a grand jury to press criminal charges against the Trump Organization and its CFO, longtime Trump confidante Allen Weisselberg.
The charges, which are said to be tax related, will be unsealed on Thursday afternoon.
Though Trump himself isn't facing charges at this time, scores of his critics have eagerly waited to see the former President face some form of criminal accountability as he exploited the power of the White House to routinely evade investigations and potential charges.
Trump tried for years to conceal his financial records from the public, presumably to avoid charges like these, but according to a today's Politico Playbook, Trump is reportedly "emboldened" by the imminent charges against Weisselberg and the Trump Organization.
The piece reads in part:
"The former president was on a conference call with his advisers Monday discussing his favorite topic — revenge — when he was interrupted with an update on the Manhattan D.A.'s investigation. He would not be personally indicted, Trump was told — only Weisselberg and the Trump Organization would be. Trump was thrilled by what he saw as light charges, and according to one of the advisers on the call, his mind raced to 2024."
According to an unnamed advisor, the development cemented Trump's potential run for President in 2024:
"'Just wait until 2024, you'll see,' Trump said. The former president implied that the legal case would be seen as a political witch hunt that would backfire on Democrats. 'This is going to hurt Sleepy Joe.'
The adviser had the impression that Trump, who was already coming off a high from the large crowd at his rally in Ohio last weekend, was emboldened by the news. 'Now he's definitely going to run for president again,' the person said."
Trump may be overjoyed to have escaped a personal indictment at the moment, but critics think his jubilation is yet another display of self-interest.
Work for Trump his whole life, violate god only knows how many laws for him, and how will he react when the the hammer falls on you? He'll be "thrilled" and "emboldened" because it's your dumb ass taking the fall, not him. https://www.politico.com/newsletters/playbook/2021/07/01/trump-aide-ex-prez-emboldened-by-indictment-news-493442\u00a0\u2026pic.twitter.com/0KCnSaNCUo— Amanda Marcotte (@Amanda Marcotte) 1625146339
He'll definitely run again. It's his only hope of staying out of jail. Otherwise, everyone who could potentially be thrown under the bus by FG will be indicated leaving just him in the end.https://www.politico.com/newsletters/playbook/2021/07/01/trump-aide-ex-prez-emboldened-by-indictment-news-493442\u00a0\u2026— RealLegend I ENOUGH ALREADY! (@RealLegend I ENOUGH ALREADY!) 1625138182
Of course he's going to act all 'emboldened' right now. When he throws Allen W, and Don Jr and Eric under the bus, we'll see how emboldened he really is.https://a.msn.com/01/en-us/AALEMPF?ocid=st\u00a0\u2026— Traitor Trump Still Sucks (@Traitor Trump Still Sucks) 1625146435
Others skewered Politico for running the piece, claiming it was a deliberate plant by Trump's allies to strengthen his standing among supporters.
Just wondering if you could stop quoting unnamed Trump advisors. I realize you've all had five years of screaming headlines, but this is a bullsh*t story planted by the right.— kevinwatts (@kevinwatts) 1625144107
On the very day when the company owned by the former President of the United States is facing criminal charges, the front page of @politico says Trump is \u201cemboldened.\u201d\n\nAnd the biggest headline for Politico is some rumor mongering about Kamala Harris. \n\nThis is .pic.twitter.com/fcgRsyKOTN— Keith Boykin (@Keith Boykin) 1625146019
in piece abt Trump org being charged as criminal enterprise, Politico only quotes GOP\u2019s who say it\u2019s good news for him \n\nhow does journalism get to this place?https://www.politico.com/newsletters/playbook/2021/07/01/trump-aide-ex-prez-emboldened-by-indictment-news-493442\u00a0\u2026— Eric Boehlert (@Eric Boehlert) 1625140311
Regardless of whether Trump is actually celebrating or not, his detractors are welcoming the forthcoming charges.
Well good morning! This is developing nicely already today.\n#LockHimUphttps://twitter.com/alivelshi/status/1410406267244457989\u00a0\u2026— Javier Mu\u00f1oz (@Javier Mu\u00f1oz) 1625137582
Second time I\u2019ve used my favorite Ron GIF today. https://twitter.com/alivelshi/status/1410406267244457989\u00a0\u2026pic.twitter.com/rPrbAyKBEt— Lora \u270c\ud83c\udffb\u2764\ufe0f \ud83c\udfb6 \ud83c\udff4\u200d\u2620\ufe0f (@Lora \u270c\ud83c\udffb\u2764\ufe0f \ud83c\udfb6 \ud83c\udff4\u200d\u2620\ufe0f) 1625108205
Long overdue!https://twitter.com/AliVelshi/status/1410406267244457989\u00a0\u2026— Steven Slugocki (@Steven Slugocki) 1625107271
It remains to be seen what those charges will be.