• Mr Trump prays with a pastor and others at Versailles restaurant in Miami after his arraignment on felony charges. AP
    Mr Trump prays with a pastor and others at Versailles restaurant in Miami after his arraignment on felony charges. AP
  • A man protests outside a Miami, Florida, federal courthouse on June 13 as former president Donald Trump is arraigned on dozens of charges related to his handling of classified information. AFP
    A man protests outside a Miami, Florida, federal courthouse on June 13 as former president Donald Trump is arraigned on dozens of charges related to his handling of classified information. AFP
  • Trump supporters outside the courthouse in Miami. AP
    Trump supporters outside the courthouse in Miami. AP
  • Mr Trump's personal aide Walt Nauta was also charged in the classified documents case in Miami. AFP
    Mr Trump's personal aide Walt Nauta was also charged in the classified documents case in Miami. AFP
  • Mr Trump during his Miami arraignment. AP
    Mr Trump during his Miami arraignment. AP
  • People protest against Mr Trump during his arraignment in Miami. AFP
    People protest against Mr Trump during his arraignment in Miami. AFP
  • A courtroom sketch of Mr Trump during the Miami arraignment. Reuters
    A courtroom sketch of Mr Trump during the Miami arraignment. Reuters
  • Mr Trump arrives for his arraignment at Manhattan Criminal Court on April 4 in New York. AFP
    Mr Trump arrives for his arraignment at Manhattan Criminal Court on April 4 in New York. AFP
  • In the case in New York, Mr Trump has pleaded not guilty to dozens of felony charges stemming from hush-money payments made during his 2016 presidential election campaign. AP
    In the case in New York, Mr Trump has pleaded not guilty to dozens of felony charges stemming from hush-money payments made during his 2016 presidential election campaign. AP
  • In a separate civil case, Mr Trump was found liable on May 9 for the sexual abuse of former magazine columnist E Jean Carroll. AFP
    In a separate civil case, Mr Trump was found liable on May 9 for the sexual abuse of former magazine columnist E Jean Carroll. AFP
  • A protester dressed as the former president outside the Manhattan Criminal Courthouse. Reuters
    A protester dressed as the former president outside the Manhattan Criminal Courthouse. Reuters
  • Trump opponents gather as he is arraigned in New York on April 4. Getty / AFP
    Trump opponents gather as he is arraigned in New York on April 4. Getty / AFP
  • Pro-Trump protesters storm the US Capitol on January 6, 2021, in Washington. AP
    Pro-Trump protesters storm the US Capitol on January 6, 2021, in Washington. AP

What are the criminal cases against Donald Trump?


  • English
  • Arabic

Former US president Donald Trump has vowed to remain in the race for the 2024 US election despite facing several criminal and civil investigations.

Speaking to a conservative radio host, the Republican front-runner said there was “nothing in the constitution” stating that he would be prohibited from seeking office even if he is convicted of a crime.

The interview came a day after federal prosecutors added fresh charges to a criminal case focused on his alleged mishandling of classified documents.

Here is a look at the cases – and what could come next:

Federal inquiry into role in mob attack

Mr Trump was indicted on federal charges on August 1 over his role in attempting to overturn the 2020 election results.

Special counsel Jack Smith charged Mr Trump with three counts of conspiracy and one count of obstruction.

In a 45-page indictment, prosecutors accuse Mr Trump of repeatedly lying about the election results and engaging in a conspiracy to “disenfranchise millions of voters” by installing puppet representatives to falsely back his election lies in the US Congress.

Mr Trump's claims of having won the election were “false, and the defendant knew they were false”, the indictment said.

“But the defendant repeated and widely disseminated them anyway – to make his knowingly false claims appear legitimate, to create an intense national atmosphere of mistrust and anger, and to erode public faith in the administration of the election.”

Despite losing the popular vote to Democrat Joe Biden by more than seven million votes, Mr Trump insisted he had won by a landslide.

Two months of false statements about the election results fuelled widespread anger among Mr Trump's base, who believed his claim the presidency had been “stolen” from him.

Their fury ultimately led to a deadly insurrection at the US Capitol, when a mob of Trump supporters smashed their way into the building.

If the case goes to trial, it could represent the biggest legal challenge faced by Mr Trump. The trial would probably be held in Washington, where the insurrection occurred, meaning prospective jurors are unlikely to have much sympathy for Mr Trump.

Federal classified documents case

Mr Trump faces 40 criminal charges stemming from his alleged mishandling of classified documents after leaving office. The former president was most recently accused of “altering, destroying, mutilating or concealing an object”.

Mr Trump had already pleaded not guilty in Miami on June 13 to 37 criminal charges.

It marked the first federal prosecution of a former president and Mr Trump was accused of wilful possession of national security secrets after his presidency ended in 2021, conspiracy to commit obstruction of justice and making false statements.

Prosecutors say Mr Trump showed classified war plans for a potential US attack on Iran to people who held no security clearances and stored hundreds of classified documents at his Mar-a-Lago estate in Palm Beach, Florida, after he left the White House. They say he stored the files haphazardly at the property, where thousands of guests and visitors come and go.

Some sensitive documents were allegedly even kept in a bathroom – a far cry from secure government “Scif” facilities, where classified information is supposed to be viewed by those holding security clearance.

Mr Trump has repeatedly proclaimed his innocence and accuses Mr Biden's administration of making him the target of a political witch hunt. Jurors in Republican-leaning Florida are more likely to have sympathy for Mr Trump.

Donald Trump indicted in classified documents probe – in pictures

  • Boxes of records stored in a bathroom in the Lake Room at Donald Trump's Mar-a-Lago estate in Palm Beach, Florida. AP
    Boxes of records stored in a bathroom in the Lake Room at Donald Trump's Mar-a-Lago estate in Palm Beach, Florida. AP
  • Boxes of records on December 7, 2021, in a storage room at Mar-a-Lago. AP
    Boxes of records on December 7, 2021, in a storage room at Mar-a-Lago. AP
  • Prosecutors outline what the classified documents Mr Trump stored in his boxes include. Department of Justice
    Prosecutors outline what the classified documents Mr Trump stored in his boxes include. Department of Justice
  • Mr Trump is facing 37 felony charges related to the mishandling of classified documents. AP
    Mr Trump is facing 37 felony charges related to the mishandling of classified documents. AP
  • Investigators seized about 13,000 documents from Mr Trump's Florida home last year. AP
    Investigators seized about 13,000 documents from Mr Trump's Florida home last year. AP
  • Classified documents seized during the August 8, 2022, FBI search of Mar-a-Lago. AP
    Classified documents seized during the August 8, 2022, FBI search of Mar-a-Lago. AP
  • Boxes of records that had been stored in the Lake Room at Mar-a-Lago. AP
    Boxes of records that had been stored in the Lake Room at Mar-a-Lago. AP
  • Records being stored on the stage in the White and Gold Ballroom at Mar-a-Lago. AP
    Records being stored on the stage in the White and Gold Ballroom at Mar-a-Lago. AP
  • Court documents show several counts against Mr Trump include maximum prison terms of 20 years. Reuters
    Court documents show several counts against Mr Trump include maximum prison terms of 20 years. Reuters
  • Mr Trump attends an event with supporters at the Westside Conservative Breakfast, in Des Moines, Iowa. AP
    Mr Trump attends an event with supporters at the Westside Conservative Breakfast, in Des Moines, Iowa. AP
  • Anti-Trump demonstrator Nadine Seiler across from the White House on June 9. Reuters
    Anti-Trump demonstrator Nadine Seiler across from the White House on June 9. Reuters
  • The Federal Courthouse in Miami, Florida. Getty / AFP
    The Federal Courthouse in Miami, Florida. Getty / AFP

Stormy Daniels hush money case

In a state-level prosecution, New York authorities have charged Mr Trump with 34 felony counts of falsifying business records to cover up the illegal payment of hush money his lawyer made to an adult film star during the 2016 presidential election campaign.

Mr Trump pleaded not guilty in a Manhattan court in April, the culminating moment in a historic day that marked the first time a US president had been charged with a crime.

Following his arraignment, he returned to his home in Florida and hit back at prosecutors and their “ridiculous indictment”.

“I never thought anything like this could happen in America – never thought it could happen,” he said from Mar-a-Lago.

Trump opponents outside Manhattan Criminal Court during his arraignment in April. AFP
Trump opponents outside Manhattan Criminal Court during his arraignment in April. AFP

2020 election interference inquiry in Georgia

In Georgia, a special grand jury has heard from dozens of witnesses and reviewed evidence about Mr Trump allegedly interfering in the southern state's 2020 election results.

The investigation stems from a phone call he had with Secretary of State of Georgia Brad Raffensperger on January 2, 2021.

Mr Trump called on Mr Raffensperger, also a Republican, to “find” enough votes to overturn Mr Biden's win in Georgia.

A final report recommending indictments was submitted to prosecutors in December but remains under seal.

On July 11, a different grand jury was empanelled and will consider whether to issue indictments.

Such charges could include election code breaches or racketeering.

Key facilities
  • Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
  • Premier League-standard football pitch
  • 400m Olympic running track
  • NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
  • 600-seat auditorium
  • Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
  • An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
  • Specialist robotics and science laboratories
  • AR and VR-enabled learning centres
  • Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
Living in...

This article is part of a guide on where to live in the UAE. Our reporters will profile some of the country’s most desirable districts, provide an estimate of rental prices and introduce you to some of the residents who call each area home.

How to apply for a drone permit
  • Individuals must register on UAE Drone app or website using their UAE Pass
  • Add all their personal details, including name, nationality, passport number, Emiratis ID, email and phone number
  • Upload the training certificate from a centre accredited by the GCAA
  • Submit their request
What are the regulations?
  • Fly it within visual line of sight
  • Never over populated areas
  • Ensure maximum flying height of 400 feet (122 metres) above ground level is not crossed
  • Users must avoid flying over restricted areas listed on the UAE Drone app
  • Only fly the drone during the day, and never at night
  • Should have a live feed of the drone flight
  • Drones must weigh 5 kg or less
Ten tax points to be aware of in 2026

1. Domestic VAT refund amendments: request your refund within five years

If a business does not apply for the refund on time, they lose their credit.

2. E-invoicing in the UAE

Businesses should continue preparing for the implementation of e-invoicing in the UAE, with 2026 a preparation and transition period ahead of phased mandatory adoption. 

3. More tax audits

Tax authorities are increasingly using data already available across multiple filings to identify audit risks. 

4. More beneficial VAT and excise tax penalty regime

Tax disputes are expected to become more frequent and more structured, with clearer administrative objection and appeal processes. The UAE has adopted a new penalty regime for VAT and excise disputes, which now mirrors the penalty regime for corporate tax.

5. Greater emphasis on statutory audit

There is a greater need for the accuracy of financial statements. The International Financial Reporting Standards standards need to be strictly adhered to and, as a result, the quality of the audits will need to increase.

6. Further transfer pricing enforcement

Transfer pricing enforcement, which refers to the practice of establishing prices for internal transactions between related entities, is expected to broaden in scope. The UAE will shortly open the possibility to negotiate advance pricing agreements, or essentially rulings for transfer pricing purposes. 

7. Limited time periods for audits

Recent amendments also introduce a default five-year limitation period for tax audits and assessments, subject to specific statutory exceptions. While the standard audit and assessment period is five years, this may be extended to up to 15 years in cases involving fraud or tax evasion. 

8. Pillar 2 implementation 

Many multinational groups will begin to feel the practical effect of the Domestic Minimum Top-Up Tax (DMTT), the UAE's implementation of the OECD’s global minimum tax under Pillar 2. While the rules apply for financial years starting on or after January 1, 2025, it is 2026 that marks the transition to an operational phase.

9. Reduced compliance obligations for imported goods and services

Businesses that apply the reverse-charge mechanism for VAT purposes in the UAE may benefit from reduced compliance obligations. 

10. Substance and CbC reporting focus

Tax authorities are expected to continue strengthening the enforcement of economic substance and Country-by-Country (CbC) reporting frameworks. In the UAE, these regimes are increasingly being used as risk-assessment tools, providing tax authorities with a comprehensive view of multinational groups’ global footprints and enabling them to assess whether profits are aligned with real economic activity. 

Contributed by Thomas Vanhee and Hend Rashwan, Aurifer

All%20The%20Light%20We%20Cannot%20See%20
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ECreator%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ESteven%20Knight%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EStars%3A%C2%A0%3C%2Fstrong%3EMark%20Ruffalo%2C%20Hugh%20Laurie%2C%20Aria%20Mia%20Loberti%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ERating%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E1%2F5%C2%A0%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Updated: August 01, 2023, 11:17 PM