Former US President Donald Trump warns of potential ‘death and destruction’ if he’s charged in a criminal case under investigation in New York. 

A grand jury in New York is thought to be close to wrapping up its work deciding whether there is ‘probable cause’ to believe any crimes were committed related to money paid to adult film star Stormy Daniels during the 2016 election cycle. The funds were said to buy her silence about an alleged affair with Donald Trump. 

Former Trump attorney Michael Cohen says he wrote the check, but was reimbursed for the payment after Trump became president, in installments he says were fraudulently tagged as “legal expenses.” 

Last weekend, Trump took to social media, predicting he would be arrested Tuesday and calling on his supporters to turn out in protest. The arrest didn’t happen, but now Trump is doubling down with a post Friday on his social media platform warning of “potential death and destruction” if he is charged. 

Joining the discussion: 

• Spencer Critchley is a Democratic strategist. 
• Adolfo Franco is an attorney and Republican strategist. 
• Joseph Williams is a former senior editor for US News and World Report.
• Bruce Fein is a constitutional lawyer.  

Former US President Donald Trump warned of potential 'death & destruction' if he faces criminal charges, hours after New York prosecutors probing his hush-money payment to porn star Stormy Daniels said they would not be intimidated https://t.co/KIYBzaLq81 1/4 pic.twitter.com/1AdMJvPoS6

— Reuters Legal (@ReutersLegal) March 24, 2023

JUST IN: A white powder discovered in the mailroom where the Manhattan District Attorney has offices and where a grand jury has been meeting to hear evidence in former Pres. Trump's case is being investigated, officials say. https://t.co/5onaxK2P14

— ABC News (@ABC) March 24, 2023