New York prosecutors subpoenaed the Republican former president Donald Trump to testify before a jury, in the context of an investigation into the amount allegedly paid to a porn star to ensure her silence, a process that may lead to the indictment of him, American media reported yesterday Thursday.

In their digital editions, the New York Times and Washington Post reported that Mr. Trump had been subpoenaed to testify next week about the $130,000 he gave shortly before the 2016 presidential election to the actress known for alias Stormy Daniels, who claimed to have met with the real estate mogul and former president.

The two newspapers, citing informed sources, said Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg, a Democrat who took office in January, is in charge of the process.

According to the Times, subpoenas “almost always” mean an “indictment” is imminent.

In the event that this scenario is verified, Donald Trump will become the first former US president to be found facing criminal charges.

Mr. Trump, who has already announced that he will run for the White House in 2024, is the target of various investigations, at the federal and state levels, for cases that unfolded before, during and after his presidency. However, he has not been charged with any of these at this stage.

Criminal charges would have ramifications for his candidacy in the presidential election.

Two weeks before the November 2016 presidential election, Donald Trump’s personal lawyer, Michael Cohen, paid $130,000 to Stormy Daniels, whose real name is Stephanie Clifford, in order, it is believed, not to divulge details of private moments with the tycoon a few years earlier. Mr. Cohen has said he was later compensated.

If the payment to Mr. Cohen was not made in a formal manner, Mr. Trump could be prosecuted for a misdemeanor in New York, a felony if the intent was to cover up a second misdemeanor, the Times noted.