Donald Trump
Former U.S. President Donald Trump.
  • A Manhattan grand jury voted to indict Trump on Thursday.
  • Trump's allies in Congress defended him as he faces criminal charges.
  • He is the first former president in history to be indicted. 

Former President Donald Trump's Republican allies in Congress are rallying to his defense after a Manhattan grand jury on Thursday voted to indict him — the first former president in American history to face criminal charges. 

The indictment, which has not been made public yet, is likely over Trump's role in a hush-money payment made during his 2016 presidential campaign to adult film actress Stormy Daniels.