Ex-Manhattan DA who opened Trump probe says former president's comments could escalate case

If he were Trump's attorney, Vance said he would tell the former president to be "mindful of not committing some other criminal offense," such as obstructing the government.

By Madeleine Hubbard

Published: April 3, 2023 11:33am

Former Manhattan District Attorney Cyrus Vance Jr., who first opened Donald Trump hush-money probe, warns comments by the former president could make jurors view the case more severely.

"I was disturbed to hear the former president speak in the way he spoke about the District Attorney Bragg and even the trial court in the past week," Vance said Sunday on NBC News' "Meet the Press."

If he were Trump's attorney, Vance said, he would tell Trump to "be mindful of not committing some other criminal offense," such as obstructing the government.

"I think that could take what perhaps we think is not the strongest case, when you add a count like that, put it in front of a jury, it can change the jury's mind about the severity of the case that they're looking at," he also said.

When asked whether Bragg's case was "airtight," Vance replied: "I do not know if this guy's case is airtight or not. I know that the DA's office has extremely experienced and seasoned lawyers."

Vance decided to not run for reelection in 2021, allowing Bragg to take over the Manhattan District Attorney's Office.

Trump is expected to travel to New York on Monday and be arraigned in court on Tuesday.