‘We are gearing up for battle’: Trump lawyer says indictment is a ‘complete abuse of power’
Donald Trump is “getting ready for battle,” his attorney said Sunday, as the former president was seen on the golf course with another member of his legal team ahead of his arrest on Tuesday.
Trump will present himself to officials on Tuesday for his arrest on the indictment issued by the grand jury on Thursday. They have pondered the former president’s payment of hush money to porn star Stormy Daniels.
The allegations have not yet been made public, but Joe Tacopina told ABC’s This Week on Sunday that the 76-year-old was “a tough guy” and ready to fight to clear his name.
“He’s getting ready for a fight,” Tacopina told host George Stephanopoulos.
“This is something that we clearly think is a political persecution and I think people on both sides of the aisle believe that.
“It’s a complete abuse of power.”
Joe Tacopina, Donald Trump’s lawyer, said on Sunday that the former president and his legal team were “getting ready for battle”
Trump was golfing in Florida on Sunday accompanied by Lindsey Halligan, a member of his legal team
Trump was seen on his Florida golf course on Sunday with Lindsey Halligan, another member of his legal team.
Tacopina said Trump was prepared for the matter.
“He’s a tough guy, and he’s someone who’s going to be ready for this fight. We are ready for this fight,” he said.
“And I look forward to moving this thing as soon as possible to exonerate him — despite what it appears to be doing for him in the polls.”
Trump has seen a surge in donations since the indictment was upheld Thursday, with more than $5 million received.
A campaign official told Axios that Trump received $4 million in the first 24 hours and more than $1 million in the second 24 hours.
More than a quarter of those who donated in the first 24 hours were first-time donors.
“This is someone who has run for president of the United States twice,” said Jason Miller, a senior adviser to the Trump campaign.
“There’s a whole new group of Trump supporters who are angry about what they see as this political persecution.”
On Sunday – Palm Sunday – a sheet of leaves was placed near Trump Tower in Manhattan, with a note that read, “God bless President Trump.”
A Trump supporter left a palm frond in front of Trump Tower in Manhattan
Fences can be seen around the building in Manhattan. Trump will be in Lower Manhattan on Tuesday for his arrest
Tacopina told George Stephanopoulos that he hopes the case will be resolved soon
Tacopina said they find the allegations absurd.
“This case isn’t even legal enough. It’s actually a joke,” he said.
The New York-based attorney, whose past clients include rapper Meek Mill and baseball star Alex Rodriguez, said he didn’t know how Tuesday would turn out.
Trump is the first former president in US history to face criminal charges.
“I’ve done a million charges in that courthouse with celebrities and everything, but this is something completely different,” Tacopina continued.
“We got the Secret Service involved. I understand they’re closing the courthouse this afternoon.
“I just don’t know what to expect.”
Dressed in his usual golf attire with a MAGA cap and a Trump-branded polo shirt, the former president was on the course Sunday morning
Trump, pictured Sunday, is said to be ready for the upcoming legal battle
Trump and Halligan can be seen on the Florida course on Sunday morning
Tacopina said he hopes Trump can “get in and out as quickly as possible.”
Trump is expected in court at 3:15 p.m. Tuesday and plans to deliver a speech from Mar-a-Lago later that evening.
“For me, as a litigator, as a lawyer, I want this to be done as smoothly and quickly as possible and I’m really starting to get this fight for justice back on track,” he said.
Trump is already accusing the judge, Juan Merchan, of bias.
Trump claimed that Merchan was “hand-picked” by Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg and “HATES ME.”
Merchan presided over the tax fraud trial last year against The Trump Organization and Allen Weisselberg, the former chief financial officer.
However, Tacopina said he didn’t think Mercan was conflicted.
“I have no reason to believe that this judge is biased,” he said.
“I have not been before him on this matter, so we have to let this process unfold.”