Former President Donald Trump’s criminal trial began in New York, where he faces 34 felony charges for allegedly falsifying financial documents related to a prior sex scandal.
Trump labeled it a politically motivated “attack” and “persecution” by Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg, claiming no criminal case exists.
“This is really an attack on a political opponent,” Trump said.
PRESIDENT TRUMP: "This is an assault on America." pic.twitter.com/UoQXF8Vkcq
— Trump War Room (@TrumpWarRoom) April 15, 2024
Three prosecutors reportedly met with White House aides before indicting Trump, President Biden’s political opponent.
Jury selection for the unprecedented trial of a former president began, with prosecutors holding an advantage due to the Democratic-leaning jury pool in Manhattan.
“Nothing like this has ever happened before,” Trump said. “There is no case and they’ve [legal experts] said that — people that don’t necessarily follow or like Donald Trump.”
“This case was brought as political persecution,” Trump added. “This is a persecution like never before.”
“And again, it’s a case that should have never been brought. It’s an assault on America. And that’s why I’m very proud to be here. This is an assault on our country,” Trump said.
Trump’s former lawyer Cohen is expected to be the prosecution’s key witness against his onetime boss.
The case will test jurors on their ability to impartially judge conflicting accounts from Trump and Cohen.
“It’s a country that’s run by an incompetent man who is very much involved in this case,” Trump said. “This is really an attack on a political opponent. That’s all it is. So I’m very honored to be here.”
