PALM BEACH, Fla.—Former President Donald Trump warned that the United States had sunk to the level of the “old Soviet Union” during a speech given from the ballroom of his Mar-a-Lago estate in Palm Beach on April 4, hours after pleading not guilty to felony charges brought New York prosecutors.
“I never thought anything like this could happen in America,” Trump said, speaking to the cheers of a fired-up, invite-only audience of about 500 about two hours after returning from Manhattan.
“The only crime that I’ve committed is to fiercely defend our nation,” he said.
Bragg’s 34-count indictment, made public at an arraignment on Tuesday, charges Trump with falsifying business records. Every count is a felony, carrying up to a four-year sentence.
The charges relate to former Trump attorney Michael Cohen’s payment of $130,000 to adult film actress Stormy Daniels to keep her from going public about an alleged affair she had with Trump, who denies this. The payment was made weeks before the 2016 presidential election. New York prosecutors allege that Trump directed Cohen to pay Daniels and then illegally disguised this payment of a monthly retainer for legal services to conceal an alleged violation of state and federal election laws.
In his speech, Trump maintained his innocence, saying Bragg has “no case” against him.
“As it turns out, everyone who has looked at this case, including RINOs, and even hardcore Democrats, says there is no crime and it should never have been brought. Never have been brought.”
“It’s an insult to our country,” he added, “and the world is already laughing at us.”
He also alleged Bragg was a “criminal,” citing leaks of the indictment ahead of the arrangement.
“At a minimum, he should resign,” Trump said, drawing perhaps the loudest cheers during the former president’s 20-minute speech.
Republicans and analysts say the unprecedented move to indict a former president sets Trump up as a martyr and represents a turning point in the country, where the legal system can be weaponized against political opponents.
By Nathan Worcester and John Haughey
