Topline
Former President Donald Trump railed against his possibly looming indictment at his first rally for the 2024 presidential election on Saturday, attacking prosecutors in Manhattan for investigating him and proclaiming himself to be “the most innocent man in the history of our country.”
Former U.S. President Donald Trump speaks during a rally at the Waco Regional Airport on March 25, … [+]
Key Facts
In a roughly 95-minute-long speech in Waco, Texas, Trump centered his legal troubles, describing them as a “weaponization” of the justice system.
Trump claimed the Manhattan district attorney’s office—which is looking into a set of payments made to Stormy Daniels during his 2016 campaign—is investigating him “for something that is not a crime, not a misdemeanor, not an affair.”
Trump warned the crowd, “they’re not coming after me, they’re coming after you.”
Trump referred to those investigating him as “absolute human scum,” though he did not specifically name Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg, who reportedly received a letter containing white powder shortly after Trump amplified criticism of him last week.
He did not specifically call for protests in response to his potential arrest, as he had last weekend when predicting he was going to be indicted by a New York grand jury, and he did not repeat a claim from early Friday that there would be “potential death and destruction” if he were to be charged.
Trump called out one employee from the prosecutor’s office by name, claiming he had moved to the DA from the Justice Department—“They couldn’t get it done in Washington, so they said, ‘Let’s use local offices,’” he said—and he claimed without evidence that federal officials are using “local henchmen” to prosecute him (Bragg is an elected official, and his office is separate from the DOJ).
Crucial Quote
“The abuses of power that we’re currently witnessing at all levels of government will go down as among the most shameful, corrupt and depraved chapters in all of American history,” Trump said.
Surprising Fact
Trump held his rally in Waco on the 30th anniversary of the Waco Siege, when nearly 80 people were killed in a standoff between authorities and members of the Branch Davidians religious cult. A campaign spokesperson told Reuters that Waco was chosen as a location for the rally because it is central to major population areas and has the infrastructure to host an event of that size.
Key Background
Prosecutors in Manhattan appear close to wrapping up a years-long investigation into Trump, who could be indicted on charges of falsifying business records or committing campaign finance violations over the alleged payment to Daniels. Trump’s former lawyer Michael Cohen said he made the payments on Trump’s behalf to cover up an affair Daniels says she had with Trump. All eyes were on a New York grand jury last week after Trump predicted he would be indicted on Tuesday, but it’s unclear when—or whether—jurors will choose to indict him. Despite the former president’s calls for protests ahead of his possible arrest, his supporters gathered outside the court in lackluster numbers. Trump is also being investigated by federal prosecutors for his handling of classified documents and behavior in the leadup to the January 6 Capitol riot, and Georgia prosecutors are investigating him for alleged interference with the 2020 election in Georgia.
Further Reading
Suspicious White Powder And Threat Sent To Manhattan DA As Possible Trump Indictment Looms Forbes)
Bomb Threat Shuts Down Manhattan Court Before Trump Lawsuit Hearing (Forbes)
Trump Warns Of ‘Death And Destruction’ If He Is Charged In Hush Money Probe (Forbes)
Trump Says He Will Be Arrested Tuesday—Urges Supporters To Protest (Forbes)
Source: https://www.forbes.com/sites/marisadellatto/2023/03/26/trump-says-hes-the-most-innocent-man-at-first-2024-rally-ahead-of-possible-indictment/