On Monday, former President Trump vehemently criticized the commencement of his New York criminal trial, denouncing it as politically motivated and designed to sabotage his presidential aspirations. He has maintained his innocence against all charges. Trump’s attorney, Will Scharf, underlined the defense’s reliance on facts to establish his client’s lack of wrongdoing. Simultaneously, Trump launched attacks on New York Attorney General Letitia James and Judge Arthur Engoron in connection with an ongoing civil fraud lawsuit.
Trump asserted that the charges against him, including those brought by Special Counsel Jack Smith and Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis, were part of a coordinated effort to interfere with his presidential campaign and aided by President Biden.
Scharf argued that the case should never have been brought to trial, emphasizing that the facts would exonerate Trump. Scharf maintained that business records accurately reflected payments made to Trump’s lawyer as legal fees and that Trump was not directly responsible for their entry.
Trump also criticized James, accusing her of pursuing a vendetta against him and questioning her competence in handling a bond he had posted in a civil fraud case. He further criticized Engoron, labeling him an “extremely crazed judge.”
Despite a gag order imposed by Judge Juan Merchan, Trump took to social media on Saturday to denounce the trial as a “SCAM” and a “WITCH HUNT.” The order prohibits Trump from publicly commenting on witnesses, jurors, or court staff in the criminal trial.
