Daily Briefing: Is Donald Trump likely to be arrested soon?

Nicole Fallert, USA TODAY

March 20, 2023 at 6:14 AM·6 min read

If Donald Trump's claims he will be arrested Tuesday prove true, it would mark the first time in U.S. history that a former president has faced criminal charges. Also in the news: Horrific video footage of the death of a man in a state mental hospital will be publicly released by law enforcement this week. California is anticipating even more flooding in the latest deluge to hit the state in recent months.

🙋🏼‍♀️ I'm Nicole Fallert, Daily Briefing author. Happy first day of Spring. 🌸 Thinking about planting some flowers?

Now, here we go with Monday's news.

Lukewarm response to Trump's call for protests

Former President Donald Trump’s calls for protests ahead of his anticipated indictment in New York have generated mostly muted reactions from supporters. It suggests that the hundreds of convictions and long prison sentences that followed the Jan. 6, 2021, Capitol riot may have dampened the desire for repeat mass unrest.

But the former president’s call for protests caused concern for law enforcement involved in preparing his potential arrest.

The background: Trump predicted over the weekend he will arrested Tuesday for his role in making an alleged $130,000 hush money payment to an adult film actress in the waning days of the 2016 election to silence her about claims she'd had an affair with him. If Trump's claims prove true, it would mark the first time in U.S. history that a former president has faced criminal charges, legal experts say.
Trump says he’ll still run for president again if he’s indicted in any of the several current investigations into his conduct. But in the hush-money case in New York, there are new indications that criminal charges might be imminent.
Michael Cohen, Trump’s longtime lawyer and fixer, spent two days last week testifying before the grand jury against his former boss.

Keep reading: Pence doesn't commit to supporting Trump in 2024 and YouTube has lifted restrictions on Trump's channel.

Michael Cohen, reiterated in testimony last week that Trump personally instructed him to pay an adult film star so it would not hurt his chances of victory in the 2016 presidential election.

Prosecutors to release video of Irvo Otieno's 'pinned down' death

A 12-minute video showing Irvo Otieno's death will be released to the public early this week, authorities said. The footage depicts why seven sheriff’s deputies and three hospital workers are charged with second-degree murder in the death of Otieno, a 28-year-old Black man who died while being held down at a state mental hospital in Petersburg, Virginia, prosecutors say. "My son was tortured,” said Otieno’s mother, Caroline Ouko, who called the video "heartbreaking" and "disturbing." Read more

Irvo Otieno's family recalls the 'disturbing' video.

More news to know now

An Aspen-area avalanche killed a skier in the second death this weekend.
UBS will buy Credit Suisse for nearly $3.25B to calm banking turmoil.
Fatal shootings in Miami Beach have prompted a city spring break curfew.
On the 20th anniversary of the U.S. invasion of Iraq, these photos tell the story of the war.
On today's 5 Things podcast, USA TODAY Money and Personal Finance Reporter Medora Lee talks about the high cost of diabetes. Listen on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or your smart speaker.

🌤 What's the weather today? Check your local forecast here.

California braces for more flooding

Twin storms were forecast to batter California this week, the second one likely to provide the latest of a dozen atmospheric rivers to deluge the state in recent months. The first storm had already begun ushering Pacific moisture into California on Sunday and was forecast to spread north quickly up the Pacific Northwest. The second storm, arriving Tuesday, will likely include characteristics of an atmospheric river – a long, flowing region of the atmosphere that carries water vapor through the sky. AccuWeather said that storm will bring even heavier rain and mountain snow into Wednesday. Read more

Fishing season canceled: Feds close chinook salmon season in California due to drought effects.
Climate change washed away bald eagles' food, research says.
Why it would take multiple years like this one to erase California's drought.

California Gov. Gavin Newsom next to a flooded field in Pajaro, California on March 15, 2023.

Putin makes surprise visit to occupied Mariupol

Russian President Vladimir Putin made a weekend visit to the occupied Ukrainian city of Mariupol, inspecting reconstruction work and visiting the home of at least one local resident, the Kremlin said in a statement Sunday. Putin toured the port city that has been under Russian control since May and was illegally annexed by Moscow in September. The news came less than two days after the International Criminal Court (ICC) issued arrest warrants for Putin and Maria Lvova-Belova, an official in his office responsible for children's rights. The court cited their alleged involvement in the unlawful deportation of children from occupied areas of Ukraine to Russia. Read more

Biden calls arrest warrant for Putin ''justified.''
Ukrainian children taken to Russia harkens memories of a similar Nazi effort.
White House: China should include Zelenskyy in war talks with Russia.

Russian President Vladimir Putin (R) listens to Russian Deputy Prime Minister Marat Khusnullin at a newly built neighborhood in Mariupol in Russian-controlled Donetsk region on March 19, 2023.

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Republican legislators will defend Arizona law banning abortion due to ''genetic abnormalities.''
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These articles are for USA TODAY subscribers. You can sign up here.

How's your bracket doing? NCAA Tournament Sunday recap

With Sunday's NCAA Tournament business closed, the men's Sweet 16 is set while the women have half of the Sweet 16 field decided. In the women's tournament, No. 1 Stanford was upset by No. 8 Ole Miss. Another No. 1, South Carolina, rolled to victory over No. 8 South Florida. Caitlin Clark had 22 points as No. 2 seeded Iowa defeated No. 10 Georgia. In the men's tournament, Fairleigh Dickinson's quest to become the first 16 seed to reach the Sweet 16 came an end. Elsewhere, No. 2 seed Marquette, No. 3 seed Baylor and No. 4 seed Indiana were eliminated. Read our full recap here.

NCAA women's tournament winners, losers: Virginia Tech reached the second weekend of the NCAA tournament for just the second time in program history.
Analysis: This NCAA men's tournament is up for grabs like never before.

Virginia Tech's Elizabeth Kitley celebrates after the Hokies defeated South Dakota State in the second round of the NCAA women's basketball tournament.

One more thing

How one student's Supreme Court case could make schools more accountable.
A Florida GOP bill would ban girls from talking about their periods in school.
''Not much hope for economy class passengers'': Airline passengers brace for the big summer squeeze.
He planted a seed from a grapefruit 61 years ago. Now, the indoor citrus tree is part of his family.
Goldie Hawn is a 2023 USA TODAY Women of the Year honoree.

Photo of the day: Taylor Swift kicks of epic Eras Tour

Taylor Swift smashed the opening night of The Eras Tour at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona, which was ceremonially renamed Swift City for March 17-18 in honor of Swift's arrival. The Eras Tour is Swift’s first tour since her Reputation Stadium Tour in 2018 and features anthems from every frame of her 17-year career. Click here for more photos from the dazzling performance and click here for a rundown of her 44-song setlist.

Taylor Swift performs onstage for the opening night of "Taylor Swift | The Eras Tour" at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona.

Nicole Fallert is a newsletter writer at USA TODAY, sign up for the email here. Want to send Nicole a note? Shoot her an email at NFallert@usatoday.com or follow along with her musings on Twitter. Support journalism like this – subscribe to USA TODAY here.

Associated Press contributed reporting.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Donald Trump arrest claim, California weather, Putin, NCAA, Taylor Swift, Otieno video: Daily Briefing

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