https://x.com/bennyjohnson/status/1797330143024734253
Former Manhattan District Attorney Cyrus Vance has disclosed why he opted not to charge Donald Trump over his “hush money” payments, suggesting it wasn’t the strongest case against the former president.
Vance, a Democrat who served as Manhattan’s prosecutor before Alvin Bragg took over in 2022, initiated an investigation into Trump around 2018.
“I ultimately believed that our investigation was best focused on financial crimes” related to the Trump Organization, Vance told NBC’s “Meet the Press” on Sunday — rather than the payment to porn star Stormy Daniels.
“Unfortunately, we ran out of time.”
He mentioned that Trump’s conviction will likely prompt “strong appeals.”
“I’m confident that we made the right choice for us at that time in pursuing the financial crimes investigation,” Vance remarked.
Regarding Trump’s potential imprisonment, Vance expressed skepticism, citing the timing of the Republican Convention and the general election.
“With the proximity of the Republican Convention four days after his sentencing and then if he is the candidate for the Republican Party — the proximity of the election — I would be surprised that he would be sentenced to any imprisonment,” he continued.
“That said, the court could adjourn sentencing until after the general election and essentially decide then.”
Trump’s sentencing is scheduled for July 11, and he could face up to 20 years behind bars.
New York County Supreme Court Justice Juan Merchan, who repeatedly found Trump in violation of a gag order, will oversee sentencing.
Trump had attempted to attack Merchan’s daughter over her connections to the Democratic Party.
The Republican National Convention will occur in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, from July 15–18.
Under Vance’s leadership, the DA’s office initially investigated the alleged hush money payments, but the probe evolved into a larger case involving potential business fraud.
Bragg, Vance’s successor, refocused on the hush money issue, leading to multiple prosecutors resigning in protest.
Bragg defended his decision to shift focus, and last week, he celebrated winning the case, making Trump the first former US president to be convicted.
