Former President Donald Trump continued condemning his criminal trial in New York, where he faces felony charges for allegedly falsifying financial documents related to a past sex scandal.
Citing a new poll showing one-third of Americans believe he did nothing illegal, Trump argued the case is politically motivated.
“We have a Trump-hating judge,” Trump said. “We have a judge who shouldn’t be on this case. He’s totally conflicted. But this is a trial that should never happen or should have been thrown out a long time ago.”
— Jason Miller (@JasonMillerinDC) April 16, 2024
He criticized the judge as biased and said legal experts agree the trial should not be occurring.
“This was a trial that should have never been brought. It’s a trial that is being looked upon, looked at all over the world that they’re looking at it and analyzing it. Every legal pundit, every legal scholar, said this trial is a disgrace,” Trump said. “If you look at Jonathan Turley, Andy McCarthy — all great legal scholars. There is not one that we’ve been able to find that said we should be in trial.”
“I was paying a lawyer and legal expense account, marking it down as a legal expense. That’s exactly what it was, and you get indicted over that?” Trump asked. “Check it out. Legal expenses, legal expense, that’s what you’re supposed to call it.”
Trump renewed claims it is a “sham” and “persecution” linked to the White House, meant to prevent him from campaigning.
He questioned the legitimacy of indicting him for marking legal expenses as such.
“This is all coming from the White House because the guy can’t put two sentences together,” Trump said. “He can’t campaign — using this to try and win the election. And it’s not working that way. It’s working the opposite way … Just look at the polls. This is a sham trial.”
“I should be right now in Pennsylvania and in many other states, North Carolina, Georgia, campaigning,” Trump added.
The trial represents the first criminal case against a sitting or former U.S. president.
Jury selection is ongoing as Trump aims to link the proceedings to the upcoming election and undermine President Biden.
