In a bold declaration, Donald Trump announced his unwavering determination to continue his presidential campaign, undeterred by the recent 37-count federal felony indictment that was issued against him. The former president, speaking aboard his plane, emphatically stated, “I’ll never leave.” Reflecting on the challenging 2016 race, Trump highlighted the resilience that drove him to remain in the political arena. He firmly asserted that leaving prior to that race was inconceivable, citing its formidable nature.
Although there are no legal restrictions barring Trump from running for president while incarcerated or as a convicted felon, such a pursuit would undoubtedly present an unprecedented stress test for the country’s political and legal systems. Trump did not shy away from launching harsh criticisms against special counsel Jack Smith, contending that the case against him was politically motivated and built on flimsy grounds. He derisively labeled his accusers as “thugs and degenerates” who were relentlessly pursuing him.
As news of the Trump indictment reverberated, political figures weighed in on the potential implications. GOP candidates found themselves grappling with the decision of whether to endorse or distance themselves from Trump, highlighting their positions on the indictment. Former Attorney General Bill Barr, once an ally of the ex-president, sharply criticized Trump’s defense regarding the handling of secret documents. Representative Jim Jordan came to Trump’s defense, arguing that a president had the authority to control access to classified material as they saw fit. Trump’s lawyer also weighed in, asserting that there was a broader context to every aspect of the case.
Trump, however, confidently predicted his exoneration and expressed his disinclination to consider a plea deal. Nevertheless, he left open the possibility of accepting damages as part of a settlement. When asked about the prospect of pardoning himself should he win the presidency in 2024, Trump dismissed the idea, stating, “I don’t think I’ll ever have to.” He maintained his innocence throughout, adamantly declaring, “I didn’t do anything wrong.”
While Trump acknowledged that campaign fundraising had surged since the indictment was unveiled, he admitted that it was an unwanted development. Candidly, he admitted, “Nobody wants to be indicted.” Trump expressed his discontent, highlighting the frequency with which he found himself facing indictments in recent months, characterizing them as politically motivated. To defend his actions, he frequently invoked the Presidential Records Act, a contested interpretation of the law that he has previously relied on.
Trump’s remarks were delivered during his travels between speeches to Republicans in Georgia and North Carolina. The trip occurred just one day after the indictment was unsealed, outlining numerous charges against him, including violations of the Espionage Act, retention of classified documents, and obstruction of justice. Trump is scheduled to appear in court on Tuesday in Miami.
“I’ll never leave,” Trump said in an interview aboard his plane. “Look, if I would have left, I would have left prior to the original race in 2016. That was a rough one. In theory that was not doable.
Nobody wants to be indicted,” said Trump. “I don’t care that my poll numbers went up by a lot. I don’t want to be indicted. I’ve never been indicted. I went through my whole life, now I get indicted every two months. It’s been political.”
