Is the Manhattan case against Trump really so 'novel'?

The precedent for the charges Trump faces

Lady Justice
(Image credit: Getty Images)

Former President Donald Trump is the first U.S. president, former or current, charged with a felony. And after his arraignment in New York City on Tuesday, we know more about what alleged crimes Manhattan prosecutors say he committed.

Trump is facing charges tied to the payment of hush money to porn actress Stormy Daniels shortly before the 2016 presidential election. The relevant charge Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg's grand jury indicted Trump on is the falsification of business records, a misdemeanor, elevated to a felony by alleging the concealment of payments to Daniels was for the unreported benefit of his presidential campaign, which could be a campaign finance violation.

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Peter Weber, The Week US

Peter has worked as a news and culture writer and editor at The Week since the site's launch in 2008. He covers politics, world affairs, religion and cultural currents. His journalism career began as a copy editor at a financial newswire and has included editorial positions at The New York Times Magazine, Facts on File, and Oregon State University.