According to Mediate, former President Donald Trump’s post-arraignment statement at Reagan International Airport was brief but impactful, reflecting his frustration and concern over the charges brought against him. Trump accused the prosecutor’s strategy of being motivated by political motives, claiming that it was an attempt to persecute and prosecute him as a political opponent. He expressed sadness over the state of Washington, D.C., and criticized the decay and damage he witnessed during his drive through the city.
The ex-President vehemently denied the charges, asserting his innocence and pleading not guilty during the court appearance at the Washington, D.C., federal courthouse. The indictment, issued by the grand jury in the District of Columbia, included three counts of conspiracy and one count of obstruction, all relating to the investigation into the January 6 attack on the Capitol and Trump’s alleged efforts to overturn the election.
Thank you very much. This is a sad day for America and it was also very sad driving through Washington, D.C., and seeing the filth and the decay and all of the broken buildings and walls and the graffiti. This is not the place that I left. It’s a very sad thing to see it.
When you look at what’s happening, this is a persecution of a political opponent. This was never supposed to happen in America. This is the persecution of the person that’s leading by very, very substantial numbers in the Republican primary and leading Biden by a lot. So if you can’t beat ’em, you persecute ’em or you prosecute ’em. We can’t let this happen in America. Thank you very much.
Amidst the legal proceedings, Republicans accused prosecutor Jack Smith of partisan bias and labeled the charges as a form of “election interference.” However, Attorney General Merrick Garland publicly defended Smith’s appointment, emphasizing the Department of Justice’s commitment to independence and accountability in sensitive matters.
Following the indictment, Smith delivered a statement, characterizing the January 6 attack as an unprecedented assault on American democracy, fueled by lies propagated by the defendant with the intent of obstructing the electoral process. He praised the heroic efforts of law enforcement in defending the U.S. Capitol that day.
Trump’s post on his Truth Social account before departing his New Jersey golf club for Washington, D.C., echoed his ongoing narrative, asserting that he was being arrested for “challenging a corrupt, rigged, and stolen election.” Despite the charges he faced, he framed the situation as an honor, stating that he was being arrested on behalf of his supporters and the cause of making America great again.
PRESIDENT TRUMP: "This is a persecution of a political opponent… If you can't beat him, you persecute him or you prosecute him. We can't let this happen in America." pic.twitter.com/lrjH9O8cpz
— Trump War Room (@TrumpWarRoom) August 3, 2023
