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A grand jury in New York has voted to issue criminal charges against former President Donald Trump over hush money paid to an adult film star ahead of the 2016 presidential election.

It means Donald Trump is the first serving or former US president to ever face a criminal charge.

While details of the charges have not yet been released, Mr Trump - who denies any wrongdoing - is expected to travel to New York City for his formal arrest and first hearing in court next week.

The decision comes after an investigation into a $130,000 pay-out to actress Stormy Daniels in an attempt to buy her silence over an alleged affair.

Newsday heard more about this legal precedent from US constitutional lawyer Corey Brettschneider, author of 'The Oath and The Office: A Guide To the Constitution for Future Presidents'.

"One of the arguments for not allowing indictment of sitting presidents is that it would be too distracting while they're on the job. But I think what [Trump] will try to do is use this to his advantage and turn the indictment into the story of why he needs to be President of the United States. He's already showing us that playbook: that things are out of control with prosecutions that are political and he needs to be elected to try to stop it."

(Pic: Former U.S. President Trump holds a campaign rally in Davenport, Iowa, in 2023; Credit: Reuters)

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