Trump Denounces ‘Biden Trials,’ Accuses President of Weaponizing DOJ to Target Political Rival

Former President of the US - Donald Trump (R) and President of the US - Joe Biden (L) | Credits: Reuters
Former President of the US - Donald Trump (R) and President of the US - Joe Biden (L) | Credits: Reuters

United States: Former president Trump vehemently criticized his legal disputes as acts of “electoral tampering” on the first day of the week, lambasting President Biden for employing “strategic maneuvers within our administration to undermine” his “political adversary,” all while pledging to persist in delaying the commencement of proceedings in the case filed against him by the Manhattan district attorney.

Trump, the presumed Republican candidate for the 2024 presidential election, convened a media briefing on Monday afternoon in the heart of Manhattan shortly following a significant reduction in the bail sum in the lawsuit instigated by New York Attorney General Letitia James and subsequent to the confirmation of a trial date in the litigation initiated against him by Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg.

Engaging with journalists at 40 Wall St., Trump articulated, “We are currently experiencing a calculated manipulation of our governmental machinery aimed at incapacitating a political adversary.” He referred to all these litigations as “Biden’s trials,” according to Fox News.

“And thus far, according to the surveys, it’s proving to be futile. The populace perceives it,” remarked Trump.

Trump’s media briefing also ensued subsequent to his presence in a Manhattan courtroom for numerous hours earlier that day for the case initiated by Bragg.

The judge presiding over the case, Judge Juan Merchan, dismissed Trump’s plea for further postponement of the trial concerning hush-money disbursements. Merchan declared that the trial would commence on April 15.

According to Fox News, initially scheduled for Monday, March 25, Merchan deferred jury selection to mid-April upon the submission of over 15,000 documents potentially constituting evidence from a prior federal inquiry by the Department of Justice. Merchan opted to allow the defense adequate time to scrutinize these documents.

“I fail to comprehend the feasibility of conducting a trial of this magnitude amidst a presidential election. This, once more, is a trial orchestrated by Biden,” Trump asserted. “These litigations are all under the umbrella of Biden.”

Trump accused prosecutor Matthew Colangelo of aligning with Biden.

“Imagine that! A personnel transition from the DOJ to the attorney general’s office, and subsequently to the Manhattan DA’s office, specifically to target Trump,” Trump voiced. “These are all Biden’s trials.”

Colangelo served in the Justice Department during the Biden administration.

In addition, Trump remarked, “I am uncertain of the likelihood of its occurrence. I am optimistic about receiving favorable judgments,” as per Fox News.

In response to inquiries regarding his willingness to testify in the Bragg trial slated for April 15, Trump stated, “I am fully prepared to testify. I have not engaged in any wrongdoing.”

When prompted whether a “conviction” might jeopardize his prospects for the 2024 election, Trump rebuffed the notion, contending that the trial “might elevate my popularity as the public discerns it to be a sham.”

“This is a trial under Biden. There is no trial. It is a Biden trial,” he emphasized. “This entire orchestration is spearheaded by the Democratic Party, under the guidance of Biden and his affiliates.”

Reportedly, taking a jab at Biden, Trump appended, “I am unsure if it’s Biden because I am uncertain if Biden is cognizant of the situation. To be candid, perhaps he is. He, in all probability, is.”

“However, these actions are all instigated by Biden and his cohorts,” Trump continued. “This poses a severe threat to our nation.”

Bragg indicted Trump on 34 counts of manipulating business records in the first degree. Trump pleaded not guilty to all accusations.

Bragg alleged that Trump “consistently and deceitfully falsified business records in New York to cloak criminal activities, concealing detrimental information from the electorate during the 2016 presidential campaign.”

These charges are linked to purported hush-money transactions during the 2016 presidential race.

In 2019, federal prosecutors in the Southern District of New York opted against indicting Trump in connection with payments made to adult film actress Stormy Daniels and former Playboy model Karen McDougal.

The Federal Election Commission also closed its investigation into the matter in 2021.

Former President of the United States – Donald Trump

Meanwhile, prior to the media briefing, Trump announced his compliance with the ruling of the New York Appeals Court, necessitating the payment of a $175 million bond within ten days.

The deadline for Trump to fulfill the initial judgment set by Judge Arthur Engoron at $454 million expired on Monday at 11:59 p.m. Engoron issued the ruling in February following an extensive non-jury civil fraud trial.

“I commend the appellate division for substantially reducing the exorbitant sum imposed by a biased judge named Engoron. His conduct warrants scrutiny, particularly his valuation practices,” Trump remarked, asserting that Engoron “utilizes fraudulent appraisal methods, appraising Mar-A-Lago at $18 million.”

“And experts in the field assert its value to be 50 to 100 times higher. The most eminent authorities in the industry. Therefore, he merits investigation, as does James, who attempted to influence him. She is akin to the puppeteer controlling the judge,” Trump asserted, contending that Engoron and James are engaged in “lawfare.”

A spokesperson for James reiterated on Monday that Trump “remains accountable for his egregious fraud.”

“The court has already determined that he engaged in extensive fraudulent activities to artificially inflate his net worth, enriching himself, his family, and his organization unjustly,” James’ spokesperson declared. “The $464 million judgment – plus interest – against Donald Trump and the other defendants remains in force.”

Nevertheless, Trump emphasized that these litigations are “orchestrated by Biden and his henchmen.”

“They perceive it as the only means to secure electoral victory,” Trump remarked. “However, thus far, it appears to be backfiring, as the American populace comprehends it—it is backfiring.”

Trump dismissed all allegations against him as “preposterous.”

“This is a strategic maneuver by the DOJ and FBI,” Trump alleged. “They unlawfully raided my residence, violating the Fourth Amendment. Such actions are impermissible. They conducted a raid at my Florida residence, Mar-a-Lago, without any prior notice. It is incredulous. Nobody can fathom it.”

Trump referenced the FBI’s raid on his residence in August 2022 as part of the DOJ’s inquiry into his purported improper retention of classified documents. Trump pleaded not guilty to charges arising from that investigation, overseen by Special Counsel Jack Smith.

“We shall discern the outcome in due course. However, their actions are unlawful,” Trump remarked. “It constitutes criminal behavior, unprecedented in our nation’s history.”