On Thursday, former President Donald Trump got more bad news when he was charged with new crimes. There are several charges against them, including plotting to steal money from the US government, blocking an official process, and organizing an attack on people’s constitutional rights.
He is being charged because he is said to have been involved in the riot at the U.S. Capitol on January 6, 2021. This new development adds to the growing legal problems Trump is facing.
Trump went to the Elijah Barrett Prettyman Federal Courthouse in Washington, D.C., and said he was not guilty of the charges against him. Of course, federal prosecutors in Manhattan saw video testimony that Trump had given in May in a defamation case brought by E. Jean Carroll. This was before the hearing.
In that case, Trump was found guilty of sexual abuse and slander and had to pay Carroll $5 million. For the criminal trial coming up in March 2024, the prosecutors have been trying to get access to this video testimony. In this trial, Trump is accused of paying adult film star Stormy Daniels hush money to keep quiet about the affair they are said to have had while he was running for president in 2016.
Around March, Trump was charged with 34 felonies for making false business records in the Daniels case. He pleaded not guilty and has always said he did nothing wrong. Trump has said that the investigations into him are part of a “witch hunt” by the Department of Justice (DOJ).
Even though the two Manhattan cases are not connected, federal prosecutors said it was very important to get Trump’s taped deposition from the Carroll case. They think that Trump’s comments about sexual misconduct are connected to the claims that he tried to shut down Daniels.
On the other hand, Trump’s lawyers said that the Carroll case evidence should be kept secret because of a protective order. Trump is facing more and more legal challenges, which is making the legal battle go on.
Trump has stayed defiant despite these setbacks. He still says he is innocent and has nothing to do with the crimes that are being accused against him. The former president is getting ready for what looks like it will be a tough legal battle as his trials get closer.