Former US President Trump once again sees himself as politically persecuted following charges of attempted election fraud and the Capitol attack by his supporters. After the indictment, he pleaded not guilty.
Former US President Donald Trump has once again complained about the prosecution against him after the indictment in connection with attempted election interference was read out. “This is the persecution of a political opponent,” Trump said on Thursday after appearing in court in Washington. “This is a very sad day for America”.
He is only being prosecuted because he is far ahead in the field of Republican presidential candidates. Trump wants to run again for the Republicans in the presidential election, but first has to contest the internal party primaries. In polls, he is clearly at the top compared to internal party competitors. Trump made the comments just before boarding his private plane to leave the US capital.
Trump pleads ‘not guilty’
He had previously pleaded “not guilty” to the new charges in a Washington court. It’s about his attempts to subsequently reverse his own defeat in the 2020 presidential election against Democrat Joe Biden. Trump is accused of plotting to defraud the United States, disenfranchise voters and obstruct an official process.
The 45-page indictment charges Trump with four formal charges. The first post-indictment hearing against Trump is scheduled for August 28. Judge Moxila Upadhyaya set the date that Trump’s presence was not necessary.
decades threatened imprisonment
Trump is the first ex-president in US history to go to court for an alleged crime – and in several cases. The new indictment is the second federal indictment against Trump, and the third overall. In recent months, Trump has been indicted on two other counts: in connection with paying hush money to a porn star several years ago and for improperly storing classified government documents after the end of his tenure.
Now he is faced with the most serious allegations to date. If convicted, the 77-year-old could face decades in prison. According to experts, a conviction would not legally prevent Trump from running in the 2024 election – especially since it is highly questionable whether a final judgment will be available by then.
Six accomplices accused
Special Counsel Jack Smith announced the unprecedented charges against the former President on Tuesday. Trump is accused of orchestrating a conspiracy to defraud the United States, disenfranchise voters and obstruct an official process. In the indictment, Trump is accused of spreading false claims about the election despite knowing better, and of using people in the Justice Department to do so.
“Despite his defeat, the accused was determined to remain in power,” it says. Trump knew his fraud allegations were untrue. He led a conspiracy against the United States. The former US President had teamed up with six accomplices who are not named in the indictment. They are four lawyers, one member of the judiciary and one political adviser.