Nashville school shooting updates: Authorities search for answers with motive unknown
(NASHVILLE, Tenn.) -- Nashville police are searching for answers after a shooter killed three children and three adults at a small, private Christian school on Monday.
The suspect -- identified as Audrey Hale, 28, of Nashville -- had a detailed map of the Covenant School and allegedly shot through a locked door on the side of the building to gain entry, according to police.
"We have not been able to determine a motive as of yet. The investigation is still very much ongoing," Metropolitan Nashville Police Chief John Drake told ABC News in an interview Tuesday on Good Morning America.
The slain children were identified as Evelyn Dieckhaus, Hallie Scruggs and William Kinney, all 9 years old. The deceased adults were identified as 61-year-old substitute teacher Cynthia Peak, 61-year-old custodian Mike Hill and 60-year-old Katherine Koonce, who was head of the school, according to police.
"Yesterday was just a tragic event," Drake told ABC News. "I've does this job for 35 years and I prayed that this would never, never be a day that we would have to deal with."
The suspect was armed with at least two assault-style rifles, a handgun and "significant ammunition," police said. At least two of those weapons were purchased legally and locally, police said.
As authorities responded to the scene, the suspect fired on police cars from a second-floor window, according to police.
About 14 minutes after the initial 911 call came in, officers shot and killed the suspect in a lobby area on the school's second floor, police said.
"They didn’t hesitate at all," the chief said.
Investigators searched Hale's home in Nashville where they seized "a sawed-off shotgun, a second shotgun and other evidence," according to police.
Investigators said they believe the alleged shooter was a former student and the deadly shooting was likely a targeted attack, according to Drake.
"We do have writings and a book we consider to be like a manifesto," the police chief told ABC News. "We do have a map of the school, where it was diagramed how she would enter and how she might proceed to take on potential victims."
There is also "some speculation that the shooter did reach out to maybe a friend or some other people," Drake said, "but as of right now that's unconfirmed."
"We'll continue picking up where we left off yesterday and see where it leads us," he added. "As soon as we know more, we'll continue to put the facts out there as we are able to confirm them."
Drake had told reporters on Monday that the suspect was female and identified as transgender but didn't immediately provide more details. A police spokesperson later told ABC News that the suspect was assigned female at birth but pointed to a social media account linked to the alleged shooter that included the use of the pronouns he/him.
The Covenant School is for students in preschool through sixth grade. There are about 209 students and 40 to 50 staff members. It does not have a school resource officer, according to police.
In a statement released Monday night, the Covenant School said its community "is heartbroken."
"We are grieving tremendous loss and are in shock coming out of the terror that shattered our church and school," the school said. "We are focused on loving our students, our families, our faculty and staff and beginning the process of healing."
White House press secretary Karine Jean Pierre told CNN on Tuesday that the Biden administration has taken action on guns both through executive action and legislation, but she repeatedly stressed the administration's view that Congress is the only way to enact change.
"It is time for Republicans in Congress to show … courage and to answer to these parents to these families," she said.
"To those parents who lost three 9-year-olds … we should not be saying there's nothing else to do. We should be trying to figure out what else there can be to do," she said.
"We need we need Congress to act," the press secretary said. "We need them to build on what we saw them do with this bipartisan action that the president signed, the Safer Communities Act, over the summer."
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South reels from deadly tornado outbreak as new storm takes aim in the West
(NEW YORK) -- Communities in the South awoke Monday morning reeling from a deadly tornado outbreak and powerful thunderstorms.
Over the weekend, at least 27 tornadoes were reported across five states -- Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, Georgia and Tennessee. Officials said at least 21 people died in Mississippi, where one long-track twister left a trail of destruction for about 59 miles. There was at least one storm-related death in Alabama, where officials said a man succumbed to his injuries after being rescued by first responder.
President Joe Biden approved disaster relief for Mississippi on Sunday.
The latest forecast shows the same storm system will linger in the Southeast on Monday with damaging winds, large hail and an isolated tornado threat. Parts of southern Georgia and South Carolina will be in the bull's-eye, including the cities of Columbus, Savannah and Charleston.
Flood watches and flash flood warnings were also issued for parts of Alabama and Georgia, where up to 7 inches of rain already fell.
A new storm is set to arrive on the West Coast on Monday night, bringing heavy rain and wind along the shore and heavy snow to the mountains. The heavy rain is expected to reach the San Francisco Bay Area on Tuesday morning, but gusty winds will begin Monday. Parts of northern California could see local rainfall amounts of 2 to 5 inches.
Meanwhile, the National Weather Service has issued a winter storm warning for parts of the Sierra Nevada mountain range in Northern California, where local snowfall amounts of 2 to 4 feet is possible over the coming days.
This new storm system is forecast to sweep across the country, brining more severe weather to Texas and Oklahoma on Thursday. Areas from Texas to Wisconsin could see a major outbreak of severe weather on Friday, with threats of tornadoes, damaging winds and huge hail.
ABC News' Victoria Arancio, Dan Amarante, Matt Foster, Kenton Gewecke, Rob Marciano, Will McDuffie, Juan Renteria, Jim Scholz and Ben Stein contributed to this report.
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Nashville school shooting updates: Three kids, three adults killed; female suspect dead
(NASHVILLE, Tenn.) -- A shooter armed with two assault-style rifles and a handgun killed three students and three staff members at a Christian school in Nashville, Tennessee, on Monday morning, authorities said.
The suspect, identified by police as Audrey Hale, 28, of Nashville, had a detailed map of Covenant School, a school for students in preschool through sixth grade, and allegedly shot through the door to gain entry to the school, police said.
The children were identified by Nashville police as Evelyn Dieckhaus, Hallie Scruggs and William Kinney, all 9 years old. The slain adults were identified as Cynthia Peak, 61; Mike Hill, 61, and Katherine Koonce, 60, who was the head of the school, according to police.
Peak was a substitute teacher and Hill was a custodian, according to investigators.
The suspect was shot and killed by authorities in a lobby area on the second floor of the school roughly 14 minutes after the 911 call was placed, according to police. Nashville Police Chief John Drake said the suspect was female and identified as transgender but didn't immediately provide more details.
Drake also said authorities believe the suspect was a former student.
No one who was shot survived, officials said.
Drake said he "was literally moved to tears to see" the young students as they were "ushered out of the building."
The suspect was armed with at least two assault-type rifles and a handgun, officials said. At least two of those weapons were purchased legally, investigators said.
The suspect had a map "of how this was all going to take place," and writings, according to Drake. It appears the shooting was a targeted attack, according to the chief.
Authorities said the suspect entered the school through a side entrance and went from the first floor to the second floor, firing multiple shots. It appears all the doors were locked and the suspect allegedly shot through a door, officials said.
The shooting was reported at 10:13 a.m. and the suspect was dead by 10:27 a.m., according to police.
A car found near the school helped authorities identify the suspect, and authorities have now responded to the suspect's home, Drake said.
Throughout the day and afternoon, students were reunited with concerned parents. Families of the staff said they were shocked with the violence that had transpired.
Alex Apple told ABC News Live that his mother works at the school's front desk, and she was at her car when she got an alert saying to shelter in place.
"She got out of her car, heard the gunshots, so she fled," he said.
The school has about 209 students and about 40 to 50 staff members, officials said. Police said the school does not have a school resource officer.
President Joe Biden called the shooting "a family's worst nightmare."
The president once again urged Congress to pass an assault weapons ban, saying, "It's about time that we begin to make some more progress."
First lady Jill Biden said Monday, "I am truly without words. Our children deserve better."
Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee tweeted that he's "closely monitoring the tragic situation."
"Please join us in praying for the school, congregation & Nashville community," Lee said.
Nashville Mayor John Cooper thanked first responders for their swift action and called on Nashville residents to reach out and help one another.
"In this dark hour let us support each other," he said during a news conference.
Some parents also took to social media in the wake of the Covenant School shooting to express their frustration of yet another mass shooting.
Kimberly Garcia, who lost her daughter, Amerie Jo Garza, in the Robb Elementary School shooting in Uvalde, Texas, tweeted, "When is enough going to be enough?"
"6 more innocent lives TAKEN? But it's not the guns right ? Wake up people," she wrote.
Lives Robbed, a group made up of some Uvalde victims' families advocating for changes in gun laws around the country, also tweeted their support for the Nashville families who lost loved ones Monday.
"We are with you. This is why we fight for change," the group tweeted.
ABC News' Alex Faul, Molly Nagle and James Hill contributed to this report.
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Nashville school shooting: What to know about the six victims
Nashville school shooting: What to know about the 6 victims
Philadelphia says 'no need to buy water at this time' after nearby chemical spill
(PHILADELPHIA) -- A nearby chemical spill in Philadelphia has local residents on high alert, after officials initially recommended that residents use bottled water "out of an abundance of caution."
The city of Philadelphia on Monday said the tap water from the Baxter Drinking Water Treatment Plant is safe until "at least through 3:30 p.m. tomorrow."
The city had previously said this is because the water "currently available to customers was treated before the spill reached Philadelphia."
"There is no need to buy water at this time," the city said Sunday. "Customers can fill bottles or pitchers with tap water with no risk at this time."
The initial recommendation came after a spill in nearby Bucks County on Friday due to a ruptured pipe at a chemical plant, officials had said.
Although residents were urged to use bottled water, city officials said contaminants "have not been found" in the local water system.
An estimated 8,100 gallons of latex finishing material, a water-soluble acrylic polymer solution, was released into Otter Creek in Bristol, Pennsylvania, on Friday. Officials said Saturday the release was due to a pipe rupture at a nearby chemical plant, Trinseo PLC.
"It's like the material you find in paint," said senior vice president of manufacturing and engineering at Trinseo, Tim Thomas, according to ABC Philadelphia station WPVI. "It's your typical acrylic paint you have in your house, that's what really this material is, in a water base."
As testing on the city's water continues, officials said that besides finding no contaminants in the water, the health risks are "very low if present at all."
No acute effects are associated with low-level exposure, the city said.
"Our best information is that people who ingest water will not suffer any near-term symptoms or acute medical conditions," Philadelphia officials said." We foresee no reason to seek medical attention related to this event."
The Coast Guard announced the chemical spill, as well as its efforts to help that include coordinating with local and federal agencies to investigate the incident.
"We are working with the responsible party and local and federal agencies to ensure a safe response effort," Capt. Jonathan Theel, the commander of Coast Guard Sector Delaware Bay, said in a statement. "We are also working with our State counterparts in Pennsylvania."
Currently, the Coast Guard has not received any calls of injured or affected wildlife.
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Train carrying iron ore derails in San Bernardino County, California
Trump live updates: Grand jury expected to resume hearing Trump case Monday
(NEW YORK) -- A grand jury is continuing to weigh charges against former President Donald Trump in connection with the Manhattan district attorney's probe into the 2016 hush payment to adult film actress Stormy Daniels.
No current or former president has ever been indicted for criminal conduct.
Here is how the news is developing. All times Eastern. Check back for updates:
Mar 27, 4:30 PM EDT
Former publisher of the National Enquirer seen leaving DA's office
David Pecker, the former publisher of the National Enquirer, was seen leaving the Manhattan District Attorney’s Office with his lawyer on Monday.
Pecker testified before the grand jury for about an hour, sources familiar with the matter told ABC News.
Pecker, who allegedly helped arrange the payment to Stormy Daniels before the 2016 election, previously spoke to the grand jury in January.
The district attorney’s office may have called Pecker to bolster Michael Cohen’s earlier testimony about the purpose of the payment.
Mar 27, 7:29 AM EDT
Manhattan grand jury expected to reconvene Monday
The Manhattan grand jury weighing charges against former President Donald Trump is expected to reconvene on Monday, sources tell ABC News.
-ABC News' Aaron Katersky
Mar 26, 4:48 PM EDT
GOP oversight chair defends getting involved in NY Trump probe
House Oversight Committee Chairman James Comer on Sunday defended taking the escalatory step of getting Congress involved in the Manhattan district attorney's investigation of Donald Trump by using his position to request answers from the prosecutor, Alvin Bragg.
"If Mr. Bragg wants to come in and explain to us what he what he's doing, and he makes a good explanation, he makes a good argument and we see that we're in an area where we shouldn't belong, such as the Republicans -- some of the Republican senators -- say, then we will back off," Comer, R-Ky., said on CNN. But, he added, "I don't believe that Bragg would be doing this if Donald Trump were not running for president, and that's something that we would like to ask Mr. Bragg as well."
Pushed by CNN anchor Jake Tapper, who said Bragg is investigating potential violations of state and not federal crimes, Comer said, "This is about politics. This is a presidential candidate."
Comer insisted that he would be more accepting of the investigation if it was being brought by the Department of Justice rather than a local district attorney, though he later said he wanted all "meddling" to end.
Bragg's office has signaled that they may be moving closer to a charging decision -- such as for falsifying business records, sources have said -- in relation to $130,000 that Trump paid the adult film actress Stormy Daniels during the 2016 election in order to prevent her from going public with an affair claim.
Trump denies all wrongdoing, including a relationship with Daniels.
He falsely said that he would be arrested last week and has urged protests.
-ABC News' Adam Carlson and Cheyenne Haslett
Mar 25, 7:46 PM EDT
Republicans urge Alvin Bragg to comply with their request for documents, testimony
In a new letter Saturday, the Republican leaders of three powerful House committees responded to Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg's rebuff of their request for documents and testimony related to the Trump probe.
Reps. Jim Jordan, James Comer and Brian Steil argued in the 8-page letter they have legislative purpose for demanding such material.
Bragg's office pushed back against the chairmen's original request on March 20, stating it would "not be intimidated by attempts to undermine the justice process."
Leslie Dubeck, Bragg’s general counsel, responded that it was "an unlawful incursion into New York's sovereignty."
In a new statement Saturday, Bragg's office said it is "not appropriate for Congress to interfere with pending local investigations."
"This unprecedented inquiry by federal elected officials into an ongoing matter serves only to hinder, disrupt and undermine the legitimate work of our dedicated prosecutors," his office said.
Read more about the GOP request for information on the Trump case here.
-ABC News' Lauren Peller
Mar 24, 10:30 PM EDT
Mayor Adams’ office condemns threat to DA Bragg
A spokesman for New York City Mayor Eric Adams issued a statement Friday evening condemning the threatening letter sent to District Attorney Alvin Bragg that included powder later deemed non-hazardous.
"While we cannot comment on the specifics of any ongoing investigation, no public official should ever be subject to threats for doing his or her job," the statement read.
The spokesman added, "I'm confident that every elected official in the City, including Manhattan DA Bragg, will continue to do their work undeterred, and anyone found to be engaging in illegal conduct will be brought to justice."
Mar 24, 5:35 PM EDT
DA Bragg stresses 'safety' for staff after threat sent to him
Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg thanked his staff for their "strength and professionalism" in an email sent Friday and reassured them the powder sent to him in a letter discovered earlier in the day was not hazardous.
The email, which was obtained by ABC News, was sent to Bragg's 1,600-member staff about three hours after the letter was discovered in a basement mail room on Friday.
"I want to reiterate my message from Saturday: your safety is our top priority," the email said, referring to an earlier message to staff obtained by ABC News that followed former President Donald Trump’s social media call for protest and an inaccurate prediction he would be arrested on Tuesday.
The latest message revealed that some in the office had received "offensive or threatening phone calls or emails" and Bragg apologized for what he called the "distressing disruptions."
Bragg concluded with his often-repeated vow to apply the law evenly and fairly.
He also mentioned a film shoot occurring this weekend outside the courthouse at 60 Centre St. could include simulated explosions.
Mar 24, 4:33 PM EDT
Letter threatening to kill 'Alvin' found at Manhattan DA's office: Sources
A white powder was discovered in the mailroom at 80 Centre Street, where the Manhattan District Attorney has offices and where a grand jury has been meeting to hear evidence in former President Donald Trump's case, according to a court official. The powder was determined to be non-hazardous, officials said.
The powder came in an envelope addressed to "Alvin," an apparent reference to Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg, according police sources.
Inside the envelope was a letter containing the typewritten message, “Alvin: I am going to kill you," with 13 exclamation points, according to sources.
This envelope followed a series of unfounded threats that targeted municipal offices in New York this week.
"For three days we got four emails," Susan Stetzer, district manager at Manhattan Community Board 3, told ABC News on Friday.
At least one of the messages prompted the court to pause a hearing in the New York Attorney General’s civil lawsuit against Trump.
None of the email messages mentioned Trump by name. One included what Stetzer described as a "horrible homophobic rant."
According to Stetzer, the messages came from @mail.ru domains and some contained Cyrillic characters. The FBI is aware but does not immediately assess that the emails came from Russia, according to a law enforcement official.
"We did not get one today so I’m hoping it stops," Stetzer said.
New York City courthouses will see increased security, the Office of Court Administration said Friday.
Mar 24, 4:12 PM EDT
White powder addressed to 'Alvin' found at Manhattan DA's office
A white powder was discovered in the mailroom at 80 Centre Street, where the Manhattan District Attorney has offices and where a grand jury has been meeting to hear evidence in former President Donald Trump's case, according to a court official. The contents of the envelope were determined to be non-hazardous, officials said.
The powder came in an envelope addressed to "Alvin," an apparent reference to Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg, according police sources.
This envelope followed a series of unfounded threats that targeted municipal offices in New York this week.
"For three days we got four emails," Susan Stetzer, district manager at Manhattan Community Board 3, told ABC News on Friday.
At least one of the messages prompted the court to pause a hearing in the New York Attorney General’s civil lawsuit against Trump.
None of the email messages mentioned Trump by name. One included what Stetzer described as a "horrible homophobic rant."
According to Stetzer, the messages came from @mail.ru domains and some contained Cyrillic characters. The FBI is aware but does not immediately assess that the emails came from Russia, according to a law enforcement official.
"We did not get one today so I’m hoping it stops," Stetzer said.
New York City courthouses will see increased security, the Office of Court Administration said Friday.
Mar 24, 4:08 PM EDT
Trump escalating attacks on Manhattan DA
Former President Donald Trump has escalated his attacks on Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg and his staff. Overnight, Trump posted on social media that if he were to be indicted it could result in "potential death and destruction."
Mar 23, 3:43 PM EDT
Officials closely watching 'online environment' surrounding potential indictment
Senior administration officials at the Department of Homeland Security are continuing to "watch closely, particularly in the online environment" surrounding a potential indictment against former President Donald Trump, a senior administration official said.
There is nothing "that rises to the level of being credible and specific" or "actionable," the administration official said. However, the official said that online "there are always things that emerge that will cause people to take note and possibly raise concern."
As the grand jury continues, the lines of communication with local authorities like the NYPD and Capitol Police have been "wide open."
"It's been a several day period of, I'd say, very open and continued information exchange between and among federal and state partners, focused on this issue," a senior administration official said.
-ABC News' Luke Barr
Mar 23, 3:43 PM EDT
Officials closely watching 'online environment' surrounding potential indictment
Senior administration officials at the Department of Homeland Security are continuing to "watch closely, particularly in the online environment" surrounding a potential indictment against former President Donald Trump, a senior administration official said.
There is nothing "that rises to the level of being credible and specific" or "actionable," the administration official said. However, the official said that online "there are always things that emerge that will cause people to take note and possibly raise concern."
As the grand jury continues, the lines of communication with local authorities like the NYPD and Capitol Police have been "wide open."
"It's been a several day period of, I'd say, very open and continued information exchange between and among federal and state partners, focused on this issue," a senior administration official said.
-ABC News' Luke Barr
Mar 23, 11:31 AM EDT
DA says compliance with GOP's requests for information would interfere with investigation
Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg’s general counsel responded to House Republicans Thursday, telling them compliance with their requests for information would interfere with a legitimate law enforcement investigation.
General counsel Leslie Dubeck noted the House inquiry only resulted from former President Donald Trump’s social media post.
“Your letter dated March 20, 2023 (the "Letter"), in contrast, is an unprecedented inquiry into a pending local prosecution," Dubeck wrote. "The Letter only came after Donald Trump created a false expectation that he would be arrested the next day and his lawyers reportedly urged you to intervene. Neither fact is a legitimate basis for congressional inquiry."
Mar 23, 9:50 AM EDT
Grand jury won't meet about Trump case this week
The grand jury hearing evidence of former President Donald Trump’s role in alleged hush money paid to Stormy Daniels will not meet about the case for the remainder of the week, sources familiar with the matter told ABC News.
The grand jury is meeting Thursday to consider a different case, the sources said. The grand jury news was first reported by Business Insider.
The grand jury is expected to reconvene Monday to consider the Trump case, at which time at least one additional witness may be called to testify, the sources said.
The Manhattan district attorney’s office declined to comment.
It is not uncommon for grand juries to sit in consideration of multiple cases at once.
Mar 23, 7:37 AM EDT
Manhattan grand jury expected to reconvene Thursday
The Manhattan grand jury weighing charges against former President Donald Trump is expected to reconvene on Thursday, sources tell ABC News.
Mar 23, 5:28 AM EDT
Trump could still be elected president if indicted or convicted, experts say
According to law, former President Donald Trump can be elected president if indicted -- or even convicted -- in any of the state and federal investigations he is currently facing, experts tell ABC News. But there are practical reasons that could make it a challenge, experts say.
Trump said earlier this month at the annual Conservative Political Action Conference that he would "absolutely" run for president even if he were to be criminally indicted.
"I wouldn't even think about leaving," Trump told reporters ahead of a speech. "Probably it will enhance my numbers."
Mar 22, 12:51 PM EDT
Manhattan grand jury to reconvene as early as Thursday
The Manhattan grand jury weighing charges against former President Donald Trump in connection to the Stormy Daniels hush payment investigation is not meeting on Wednesday, sources told ABC News. The earliest the grand jury would reconvene is Thursday, sources said.
The grand jurors were called Wednesday morning and told they were not needed during the day as scheduled, sources familiar with the matter told ABC News. The grand jurors were told to be prepared to reconvene on Thursday when it’s possible they will hear from at least one additional witness, the sources said.
The Manhattan district attorney’s office declined to comment, citing a policy of not discussing grand jury matters.
-ABC News' John Santucci and Luke Barr
Mar 22, 8:25 AM EDT
With Trump case looming, what is an indictment?
Criminal prosecution proceedings typically start with an arrest and a court appearance, but legal experts say that on many occasions, especially in white collar crimes, suspects aren't hit with charges or a visit from an officer until long after an official investigation is underway.
Typically, if a crime is being investigated, law enforcement agents will make an arrest, file initial charges and bring a suspect to be arraigned in court, Vincent Southerland, an assistant professor of clinical law and the director of the criminal defense and reentry clinic at NYU School of Law, told ABC News.
After this arraignment, prosecutors would impanel a grand jury for a formal criminal indictment. Southerland, who has been practicing law in New York state for 19 years, said this process includes giving the jury evidence, possible testimony and other exhibits before they can officially charge a person with felonies.
A Manhattan grand jury is currently investigating Trump's possible role in the hush payment to adult film actress Stormy Daniels. The former president has denied any wrongdoing and having an affair with Daniels. His attorneys have framed the funds as a response to an extortion plot.
-ABC News' Ivan Pereira
Mar 21, 6:11 PM EDT
Pence discourages protests if Trump indicted
Former Vice President Mike Pence discouraged any protests should a grand jury indict Donald Trump.
"Every American has the right to let their voice be heard. The Constitution provides the right to peaceably assemble. But I think in this instance, I would discourage Americans from engaging in protests if in fact the former president is indicted," Pence said Tuesday when asked by ABC News if Americans should protest a possible indictment.
Pence said he understood the "frustration" while calling the case "politically motivated."
"But I think letting our voices be heard in other ways, and in not engaging in protests, I think is most prudent at this time," he said.
-ABC News' Libby Cathey
Mar 21, 11:00 AM EDT
McCarthy grows frustrated as Trump questions persist at House GOP retreat
House Speaker Kevin McCarthy again ripped into Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg when asked about the potential charges against former President Donald Trump at a Tuesday press conference at the House GOP retreat in Orlando.
When McCarthy was asked directly if had concerns about Trump's alleged conduct regarding the alleged hush money payment to Stormy Daniels, he didn't answer the question and instead pivoted to talking about Hillary Clinton and Bragg.
"What we see before us is a political game being played by a local. Look, this isn't New York City, this is just a Manhattan," McCarthy said.
McCarthy said he hasn’t spoken to Trump in three weeks.
When asked if Trump is still the leader of the Republican Party, McCarthy took a jab at the press: "In the press room, for all of you, he is."
-ABC News' Katherine Faulders and Will Steakin
Mar 21, 10:14 AM EDT
Grand jury to reconvene on Wednesday
A grand jury will reconvene on Wednesday to continue to weigh charges against former President Donald Trump in connection with the Manhattan district attorney's probe into the 2016 hush payment to adult film actress Stormy Daniels.
Michael Cohen, Trump's former personal attorney, paid $130,000 to Daniels in the closing days of the 2016 presidential campaign to allegedly keep her from talking about an affair she claimed to have had with Trump.
Trump has denied the affair and his attorneys have framed the funds as an extortion payment.
Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg is mulling whether to charge Trump with falsifying business records, after the Trump Organization allegedly reimbursed Cohen for the payment then logged the reimbursement as a legal expense, sources have told ABC News. Trump has called the payment "a private contract between two parties" and has denied all wrongdoing.
Trump this weekend wrote on his Truth Social platform that he expected to be arrested on Tuesday.
The U.S. Secret Service is coordinating security plans with the NYPD in the event of an indictment and arraignment in an open courtroom in Manhattan, sources familiar with the matter told ABC News. The two agencies had a call Monday to discuss logistics, including court security and how Trump would potentially surrender for booking and processing, according to sources briefed on the discussions. White collar criminal defendants in New York are typically allowed to negotiate a surrender.
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