NY grand jury hearing on Trump hush money case delayed

A New York grand jury considering whether to approve charges against Donald Trump over a hush-money payment to a porn actress has delayed an expected hearing.

US media reported that the grand jury will not meet as planned on Wednesday, citing law enforcement sources.

A Manhattan prosecutor may charge Mr Trump over how he declared a payment to keep quiet about an alleged affair.

It would be the first criminal case brought against a former US president.

It is unclear why the grand jury - which is set up by a prosecutor to determine whether there is enough evidence to pursue a prosecution - was asked not to reconvene.

It is scheduled to next meet on Thursday but law enforcement sources told US media said it is unlikely there will be a vote on whether to indict by the end of the week.

The case it is considering centres on how Mr Trump reimbursed his former lawyer, Michael Cohen, after he paid Stormy Daniels $130,000 (£106,000) ahead of the 2016 presidential election.

At the time, Ms Daniels was looking to come forward about an alleged affair she had with Mr Trump in 2006 - an affair that he denies.

The record for the payment reimbursing Cohen says it was for "legal fees". Prosecutors could argue this amounts to Mr Trump falsifying business records, a misdemeanour in New York.

The grand jury has recently heard from Cohen as well as from Robert Costello, a legal ally of Mr Trump. Mr Costello told media earlier this week that he offered testimony refuting allegations that the former president directed the pay-off.

He said on Wednesday that he does not expect to be called again as a witness. It is not known if the grand jury will hear from any other witnesses on the case.

CBS, the BBC's US partner, reported on Tuesday that Mr Trump was huddling with advisors at his Florida Mar-a-Lago home preparing for different scenarios.

On Saturday, Mr Trump said that he expected he would be arrested this week. In a post on his Truth Social platform on Wednesday, he said that he believes charges against him "can't be brought".

Police in major US cities are preparing for potential unrest in case he is arrested as part of the hush-money inquiry.

Barricades have been set up outside the Manhattan criminal court and district attorney's offices.

Mr Trump has vowed to continue his campaign to become the Republican nominee in the 2024 presidential election regardless of any possible indictment.

He is scheduled to appear at a rally in Waco, Texas on Saturday, marking his first major event in support of his presidential bid.