DONALD TRUMP has been indicted by a Manhattan grand jury, prosecutors and defence lawyers said on Thursday night.

The move makes him the first former US president to face a criminal charge and delivers a jolt to his bid for re-election to the White House.

Although the exact charges remain under seal, it is being reported that Mr Trump is accused of up to 30 serious crimes, each of which could result in fines as well as a minimum of one year in prison.

While the investigations include payments made during the 2016 presidential campaign to silence claims that he had engaged in an extramarital sexual encounter, the charges are understood to also relate to allegations about Mr Trump’s business practices.

The former president will surrender to authorities next week after his lawyers said that the Secret Service needed additional time to make security preparations.

Prosecutors did not say whether they intended to seek a prison sentence in the event of a conviction.

Mr Trump has repeatedly denied any wrongdoing and claimed to be the target of a politically motivated witch-hunt by the Democratic Party.

He also predicted that the move would damage Democrats in the 2024 presidential contest.

So far, President Joe Biden has refused to comment on the matter.