Breaking News: Manhattan prosecutors have signaled to Donald Trump that he could face criminal charges, an indication that they are nearing an indictment. https://t.co/dNEEO7m5rT pic.twitter.com/TZRJgw9V3x

— The New York Times (@nytimes) March 9, 2023

The prosecutors offered Mr. Trump the chance to testify next week before the grand jury that has been hearing evidence in the potential case, the people said. Such offers almost always indicate an indictment is close; it would be unusual for the district attorney, Alvin L. Bragg, to notify a potential defendant without ultimately seeking charges against him.

In New York, potential defendants have the right to answer questions in the grand jury before they are indicted, but they rarely testify, and Mr. Trump is likely to decline the offer. His lawyers could also meet privately with the prosecutors in hopes of fending off criminal charges.

[This is likely going nowhere, given the track record of a similar prosecution by the feds of John Edwards for almost exactly the same issue. On top of the flimsiness of the campaign-finance argument, Trump’s attorneys will likely claim that this is an issue of federal jurisdiction, not New York’s, and seek a dismissal. Trump may have to face more difficult charges in Fulton County, but Bragg’s reaching here. — Ed]