Trump’s lawyer admits ex-president was ‘shocked’ to be indicted on ’30 counts of fraud’
Trump’s lawyer admits the former president was ‘shocked’ to be charged with ’30 counts of fraud’ after finding out thanks to the New York Times breaking news alert
- It comes as a Manhattan Grand Jury voted to indict the former US president.
- Donald Trump’s lawyer, Joe Tacopina, spoke of his ‘anger’ after the impeachment
According to the former president’s lawyer, Donald Trump was “shocked” to discover that a Manhattan Grand Jury voted to impeach him.
Speaking with Fox News’ Sean Hannerty, Joe Tacopina clarified that he and Trump, 76, learned of the impeachment only through media reports.
He is ready to fight. You know, he’s the toughest guy I know. He was shocked, you know, because we really weren’t, I was shocked,” Tacopina said of Trump’s reaction to the impeachment.
“I have never been more angry about a charge because the rule of law died in the United States of America today. He is dead. He is dead,’ Tacopina said.
It comes as Trump is expected to appear in court on Tuesday after being indicted by a grand jury on Thursday over alleged “hush money” payments made ahead of the 2016 election.
Donald Trump was ‘shocked’ to discover that a Manhattan Grand Jury voted to impeach him
Joe Tacopina clarified that he and Trump, 76, learned of the allegation only through media reports.
The attorney added that Trump’s scheduled Tuesday arraignment “is not finalized.”
“We’re discussing with them, you know, obviously, there’s a group called the Secret Service that’s involved now. I mean, this is going to be something we’ve never seen like ever before,” Tacopina said.
It is the first criminal case against a former president in US history.
Sources told the New York Post The sealed indictment was filed at the Manhattan Supreme Court Clerk’s office in Lower Manhattan on Thursday night.
The specific charges were not made public, but sources said Trump faces more than two dozen charges related to business fraud.
Citing two sources, CNN reported that Trump faces more than 30 charges related to commercial fraud.
“This is political persecution and election interference at the highest level in history,” Trump said in a statement Tuesday.
It stems from alleged “secret money” payments made before the 2016 election.
His lawyers, Susan Necheles and Joseph Tacopina, told The Post that Trump “committed no wrongdoing” and vowed to “vigorously fight this political accusation in court.”
It comes as he tries to win back the White House for the third time in the 2024 Republican nomination.