Trump warns of 'death and destruction' if he's indicted

Former President Donald Trump on Friday warned of "death and destruction" if he is indicted for allegedly paying hush money to porn star Stormy Daniels.

Raising the rhetorical heat, Trump suggested that his supporters will respond with fury if he is criminally charged in the case as early as next week when a grand jury reconvenes to deliberate.

"Potential death & destruction in such a false charge could be catastrophic for our Country," Trump wrote on his social media site.

Trump falsely claimed last weekend that he would be arrested in the case on Tuesday and urged his supporters to "protest, take our nation back."

The former president spent much of last week lashing out at Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg as a possible indictment looms.

He called Bragg an "animal" and accused him of being manipulated by George Soros, the liberal mega donor who has funded campaigns of progressive prosecutors like Bragg.

"PROSECUTORIAL MISCONDUCT!" he wrote Friday morning.

Rep. Hakeem Jeffries, the House Democratic leader, said he has confidence in Bragg's probe and denounced Trump.

"(Trump)'s rhetoric is reckless, reprehensible and irresponsible. It's dangerous," Jeffries said. "And if he keeps it up, he's going to get someone killed."

Bragg is investigating whether Trump broke the law in paying Daniels $130,000 to keep her from talking in the days leading up to the 2016 presidential election about a previous sexual encounter she claims they had.

A grand jury heard testimony on Monday from Trump defense lawyer Robert Costello, who says he raised questions about the credibility of star prosecution witness Michael Cohen, the former Trump lawyer who did federal prison time for his role in the same hush-money scheme.

The panel is expected to meet again on Monday when it may be asked to consider indicting Trump.

The charges could include falsifying business records to cover up the payments, which would be a misdemeanor. Trump could also face felony charges if prosecutors can show the bogus records were created to commit or cover up some other crime, possibly campaign finance, obstruction of justice or tax laws.