Prior to his court appearance the next week, Donald Trump’s attorneys on Sunday denounced the unprecedented charge of the former president as “political persecution.”
According to a declaration he released on Sunday, Trump himself intends to address the public on Tuesday from Florida.
The 76-year-old former leader is scheduled to be charged on Tuesday afternoon at a courtroom in Manhattan, marking the first time a sitting or past president has been charged with a crime.
He was critical of the judge chosen to preside over the case and called the judicial procedures a “witch hunt.”
The details of Trump’s presence in New York remain hazy, and the charge is still under seal.
On Sunday, Joe Tacopina, his attorney, categorically denied the charges that were expected to be brought against him regarding a 2016 hush-money payout to an adult film actress, calling them “some twilight zone kind of scenario” within an “upside-down world.”
He declared on CNN that “political persecution was taking place.”
Tacopina also called Michael Cohen, Trump’s former attorney that had turned against his former client and was imprisoned on related charges, “a pathological, convicted liar.”
Tacopina did state that he does not anticipate making a motion for instant dismissal, claiming that the Trump campaign has not yet had time to examine the specific accusations.
But according to James Trusty, a different Trump counsel, “the indictment will have legal frailties that are going to be subjected to a legitimate motion to be dismissed early on, based on what we’re guessing the indictment will look like.”
Little is known about the procedures in Manhattan, where law enforcement and police are preparing for protests as well as counter-protests, but Trump is anticipated to undergo the customary fingerprinting and photo process.
Tacopina said, “I honestly do not know how this will all go; hopefully, as smoothly as possible.” He continued by saying he anticipated learning more on Monday.
Given that the former president will be protected by the Secret Service, the Trump attorney said he did not anticipate having to make his client perform a “perp walk,” which involves strolling while being restrained, in front of the media.
He said, “I’m hoping this will be as easy and elegant as feasible.”
In response to Tacopina’s comments, Cohen’s attorney, Lanny Davis, stated on CNN that his client had offered “substantial documentation” to back up the anticipated accusations regarding porn star Stormy Daniels.”
He also mentioned that Karen McDougal, a model, and a former Playboy Playmate who has received less notice, may be filing comparable accusations.
“Keep in mind that there were two offenses committed here.”
Bill Barr, Trump’s previous attorney general, stated on Sunday that he would counsel the president against ultimately testifying in his own defense.
He told a Fox interviewer: “I think it’s an incredibly bad idea for Trump since he does not have any self-control.”
