Following his plea of not guilty to criminal charges in New York, former President Donald Trump returned to his Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida and immediately resumed his criticism of the prosecutor who indicted him.
During his fiery speech, Trump referred to Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg as a “criminal” who should either face prosecution or resign from his position, which he based on a claim on allegations that Bragg “illegally leaked” information from the grand jury before Trump’s arraignment.
“I never thought anything like this could happen in America,” Trump told supporters after pleading “not guilty” to 34 felony counts of falsifying business records.
“The only crime that I have committed is to fearlessly defend our nation from those who seek to destroy it,” Trump said, according to Newsmax.
Trump made a tardy entrance from a door at the back of the venue and strolled through the gathering of his supporters, reminiscent of his entrances into the Capitol Building to deliver State of the Union addresses during his presidency. Lee Greenwood’s “God Bless the USA” played as the crowd chanted “USA! USA!” while he stepped onto the stage.
During his speech, he ticked off a list of incidents and investigations of him that kicked off after he launched his presidential bid in 2015 and throughout his term in office.
“From the beginning, the Democrats spied on my campaign. Remember that?” he noted. “They attacked me with an onslaught of fraudulent investigations. Russia, Russia, Russia, Ukraine, Ukraine, Ukraine. Impeachment hoax No. 1. Impeachment hoax No. 2. The illegal and unconstitutional raid on Mar-a-Lago right here. Lying to the FISA courts.”
Earlier as he prepared to address the nation, and especially his supporters and potential GOP 2024 voters, he noted in a post on his Truth Social website:
“Just lifted off for Palm Beach, Florida. Will be delivering remarks tonight at Mar-a-Lago at 8:15 P.M., EASTERN. The hearing was shocking to many in that they had no ‘surprises,’ and therefore, no case. Virtually every legal pundit has said that there is no case here. There was nothing done illegally!”
'The only crime that I have committed is to fearlessly defend our nation from those who seek to destroy it.'
In case you missed it, here are the best bits from Donald Trump's speech in Mar-a-Lago, following his court appearance where he was charged with 34 criminal charges. pic.twitter.com/HR0pZGqzrJ
— GB News (@GBNEWS) April 5, 2023
“With all of this being said, and with a very dark cloud over our beloved country, I have no doubt nevertheless, that we will Make America Great Again.”
Pres. Donald Trump ends his speech, and this tragic day, with an optimistic message for the American people.@OANN pic.twitter.com/x0t2jzU3T2
— Daniel Baldwin (@baldwin_daniel_) April 5, 2023
Numerous members of Trump’s family and supporters were present to show their support, including MyPillow CEO Mike Lindell, Rep. Marjorie Taylor-Greene (R-GA), and Kari Lake, the 2022 GOP gubernatorial candidate from Arizona.
During Tuesday’s court hearing, Justice Juan Merchan refrained from issuing a gag order but cautioned both parties against making statements that could incite violence. Trump has accused Merchan of having animosity towards him and has repeatedly criticized Bragg for pursuing the case after his predecessor, Cyrus Vance Jr., chose not to prosecute.
Trump did not speak much during his hearing but when he was asked to enter his plea, he did so commandingly: “Not guilty.”
