Manhattan’s prosecution of Donald Trump has set a fire under the former president. He’s not going down without a fight.
And Donald Trump went scorched-earth in this fiery speech.
History was made on Tuesday.
For the first time, a former president of the United States was arrested and arraigned on formal charges.
Donald Trump flew into New York City early this week in preparation for the day and protesters clashed.
Big names like Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene were on site to show support for the former president.
After pleading not guilty to criminal charges in New York, former President Donald Trump returned to his Florida property and immediately attacked the prosecutor who had indicted him.
On Tuesday night, Trump labeled Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg a “criminal” who should be arrested or, at the absolute least, resign over allegations that he “illegally leaked” grand jury information before to Trump’s arraignment.
Former President Trump: "There is no case….The criminal is the District Attorney because he illegally leaked massive amounts of grand jury information for which he should be prosecuted." pic.twitter.com/6RfYpsNyBb
— CSPAN (@cspan) April 5, 2023
Trump further claimed that the Manhattan case’s judge, acting New York Supreme Court Judge Juan Merchan, is a “Trump-hating judge.”
And he raised new worries about the judge’s family, including his daughter, whose firm has boasted of conducting work for major Democrats’ campaigns, including President Joe Biden, Vice President Kamala Harris, and Rep. Adam Schiff (D-CA).
Earlier in the day, Trump pleaded not guilty to 34 charges of manipulating corporate documents as part of a “catch-and-kill” operation to influence the 2016 election, according to Bragg, a Democrat.
Furthermore, the judge cautioned against using language that could incite civil strife. Trump is not scheduled to appear in court again until December.
"These are felony crimes in New York state, no matter who you are."
Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg spoke about the 34 felony counts against Donald Trump during a press conference shortly after his arraignment Tuesday.https://t.co/H9AFRvV7sN pic.twitter.com/f1FJTvzq8R
— The Associated Press (@AP) April 4, 2023
According to reports, if Trump is convicted, he could face a sentence of more than 100 years in prison. There is also disagreement regarding the strength of Bragg’s case, and it is not just Trump’s supporters who are concerned.
Former President Trump: "I never thought anything like this could happen in America…the only crime that I have committed is to fearlessly defend our nation from those who seek to destroy it." pic.twitter.com/cgrftoXHH8
— CSPAN (@cspan) April 5, 2023
“I believe President Trump’s character and conduct make him unfit for office,” said Sen. Mitt Romney (R-UT) in a statement. “Even so, I believe the New York prosecutor has stretched to reach felony criminal charges in order to fit a political agenda.”
The former president, who is running a third presidential campaign, did not stop with the Manhattan case. He assaulted those who were investigating him.
Former President Trump: "Our justice system has become lawless. They're using it now –in addition to everything else– to win elections…they came up with a new one…they're looking at me through the Espionage Act…of 1917 where the penalty is death." pic.twitter.com/tHAkN2gFod
— CSPAN (@cspan) April 5, 2023
Special counsel Jack Smith, Georgia’s Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis, New York Attorney General Letitia James, and the FBI were among his targets.
“Our justice system has become lawless. They are using it now, in addition to everything else, to win elections,” Trump said.
Stay tuned to The Federalist Wire.
