According to CNN, former President Donald J. Trump became the first former president to officially face criminal charges when he was indicted in New York on Thursday by a Manhattan grand jury for more than 30 counts related to business fraud. Trump’s criminal charges come following a cover-up of hush money payments that Trump’s former attorney Michael Cohen issued to Stormy Daniels, an adult film star. 

Trump was campaigning for his 2024 presidency, but will now voluntarily surrender to the criminal charges on April 4. His surrender will be followed by a mugshot, electronic fingerprints and an appearance before a judge. According to Reuters, Trump plans to plead not guilty. 

PRESIDENTIAL MAJOR DISASTER DECLARATION

On April 3, Gov. Gavin Newsom announced that President Joe Biden approved the state’s request for a Presidential Major Disaster Declaration, which will provide aid for recovery and emergency response efforts following California’s winter storms. 

“Today, President Joseph R. Biden, Jr. declared that a major disaster exists in the State of California and ordered Federal aid to supplement State, tribal, and local recovery efforts in the areas affected by severe winter storms, straight-line winds, flooding, landslides, and mudslides beginning on February 21, 2023, and continuing,” said the White House press release. 

The aid will be allocated to multiple counties —  Kern, Mariposa, Monterey, San Benito, Santa Cruz, Tulare and Tuolumne. Individuals within the counties can expect “housing assistance, food aid, counseling, and medical and legal services,” according to the press release. Other counties are still undergoing assessment for storm severity and more details will be announced as funding is finalized.