Former President Donald Trump on Thursday criticized the latest charges he is facing as part of a broader attempt to interfere in the 2024 presidential election and said the recent indictment is “a persecution of a political opponent."
"This is a very sad day for America," Trump told reporters shortly after pleading not guilty in special counsel Jack Smith’s election subversion case.
"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 him you persecute him or you prosecute him," Trump said while giving brief remarks on the tarmac at Washington Reagan National Airport before boarding his plane to return to New Jersey.
The former president did not take questions before boarding. These were his first public remarks since learning of his indictment Tuesday night.