Live updates | Trump: Indictment is “election interference,” special prosecutor a “thug”
Donald Trump is characterizing the federal charges against him as “election interference and yet another attempt to rig and steal a presidential election.”
He aired his grievances to hundreds of supporters at his Bedminster golf club in New Jersey, hours after becoming the first former president to face charges in federal court. He entered a plea of not guilty.
Previewing a possible legal defense, Trump said he had a right to go through boxes and separate personal records from government documents.
He also said he had not had a chance to review all the materials transferred from the White House before FBI agents searched his Mar-a-Lago residence last year.
Trump called the case against him “one of the most outrageous and vicious legal theories ever put forward in an American court of law” and compared his own actions to those of other former senior officials, though the facts in those cases are different.
He called special counsel Jack Smith a “thug” who does “political hit jobs” and said, “This day will go down in infamy.”
What to know:
— What to expect when Trump appears in federal court to face charges
— Journalists so far outnumber protesters outside courthouse where Trump will appear
— A timeline of events leading to Trump’s indictment in the classified documents case
— Trump’s GOP defenders in Congress leap into action after months of preparation
— Who is Walt Nauta, the latest Trump loyalist to face potential jail time?
TRUMP ARRIVES TO CHEERS AT BEDMINSTER
Donald Trump has arrived back at his golf club in Bedminster, New Jersey.
The former president is scheduled to give his first speech since pleading not guilty to charges of keeping classified documents and blocking the government’s efforts to get them back.
News helicopters thumped overhead as the sun set over the rolling greens at Bedminster.
The arrival of Trump’s motorcade was met with cheers. Many people rushed to get pictures. Several hundred supporters and club members were packed onto a patio, many wearing red “Make America Great Again” hats.
Guests included former Justice Department official Kash Patel, former New York Police Commissioner Bernie Kerik and MyPillow businessman and conspiracy theorist Mike Lindell.
Lindell said he was at the event “to support our real president, Donald Trump,” and “there was nothing done with any malicious intent at all.” He added that he considers the indictment “a blessing” because he thinks it will drive Trump’s poll numbers up.
WHITE HOUSE TRYING ITS BEST TO STAY MUM ON CASE AGAINST TRUMP
White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre is refusing to give straight answers to questions about the federal case against Trump.
Jean-Pierre was asked Tuesday if President Joe Biden agrees with his wife, first lady Jill Biden, who has already said that it was a “little shocking” that Trump maintained large support from the Republican Party.
“I’m just not going to comment on anything that’s related to the indictment,” Jean-Pierre responded.
The president’s chief spokesman also dodged a question about whether Biden would ever consider pardoning Trump. “No comment,” Jean-Pierre said, although she laughed slightly.
It is all part of the White House’s policy to not comment on ongoing criminal matters. In the meantime, they’ve only invoked Biden’s predecessor at strategic points.
Donald Trump is characterizing!
Donald Trump is characterizing!
Donald Trump is characterizing!
Donald Trump is characterizing!
Donald Trump is characterizing!
Jean-Pierre did stress Tuesday that Biden was categorically not involved in any decision by the Justice Department to indict Trump and that he is focusing on restoring integrity to the department.
“That is why we have been very, very consistent,” Jean-Pierre said. “When it comes to criminal cases, we just do not comment.”
At a reception honoring U.S. State Department chiefs of mission, Biden declined to comment on Trump’s arrest when asked by reporters.
During his formal remarks at that event, Biden referred to simultaneous interpretation during his lengthy meetings with Chinese President Xi Jinping and then quipped: “I turned all my notes in.”
Trump was known to have confiscated an interpreter’s notes after a meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin. After prompting hearty laughter from the crowd, Biden insisted he was not talking about Trump.
“That’s not a reference to the president, the former president,” Biden said. “Look, no. It really isn’t.”
SUPPORTERS GATHER AT NEW JERSEY GOLF CLUB
Trump’s supporters have begun to arrive at his Bedminster, New Jersey golf club, where he’s planning to deliver remarks responding to the charges after returning from his arraignment Tuesday night.
Dozens of white wedding chairs have been set up on the club’s stone patio before a stage decorated with American flags and red, white and blue bunting.
Guests as Trump’s Bedminster event include former Department of Justice official Kash Patel, Bernie Kerik and MyPillow conspiracist Mike Lindell.
Lindell says he’s here “to support our real president, Donald Trump.” He called on Ron DeSantis to drop out of the presidential race and endorse Trump tomorrow.
TRUMP GOES FROM COURT TO CUBAN EATERY
Trump’s first stop after court was the iconic Versailles restaurant and bakery in the Little Havana neighborhood.
Inside, a group of people greeted him and laid hands on him in prayer. Those in the room also sang “Happy Birthday” to Trump, who will turn 77 Wednesday.