Trump initially ‘shocked’ by indictment, then determined ‘now we have to struggle now,’ lawyer says

Former President Donald Trump was initially “shocked” after he was indicted by a Manhattan grand jury. However now, the 2024 GOP presidential candidate is able to struggle the costs, his lawyer Joe Tacopina mentioned Friday. 

In an interview on NBC Information’ “At this time,” Tacopina mentioned that Trump’s authorized crew had “believed the rule of legislation would prevail,” so the indictment got here as a shock. After recovering from the shock, Tacopina mentioned Trump is “now within the posture that he is able to struggle this.” 

“He is able to be combative on one thing that he believes is an injustice,” he added.

In an unprecedented and historic growth, Trump is the primary former president in American historical past to be charged with a criminal offense. The grand jury indictment is underneath seal, however two legislation enforcement sources advised Fox Information that the costs can be filed. 

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Manhattan District Legal professional Alvin Bragg has been investigating Trump’s alleged involvement in hush cash funds to grownup movie actress Stormy Daniels in 2016, to maintain her quiet forward of that 12 months’s presidential election over her claims she had sexual encounters years earlier with Trump. The previous president denies sleeping with Daniels and denies falsifying enterprise data to maintain the fee hid.

Bragg has additionally been investigating a $150,000 fee made to former Playboy mannequin Karen McDougal.

On “At this time,” Tacopina clarified that these funds for “authorized providers” have been “inner enterprise data” that weren’t filed with the Inner Income Service (IRS) or Federal Election Fee (FEC). 

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“This was a private decision for a private matter that will have been made no matter the marketing campaign,” Tacopina insisted. “So, with these details collectively, there is no such thing as a crime.” 

He added there may be “zero” likelihood Trump will take a plea deal if the case proceeds to trial, and raised doubts that the case will even make it to trial given “substantial authorized challenges that now we have to confront earlier than we get to that time.” 

Tacopina made comparable feedback about Trump on Fox Information’ “Hannity” Thursday night time. 

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“He is able to struggle. , he is the hardest man I do know. And he is — he was shocked, you understand, as a result of we actually have been — I used to be shocked. I imply, I’ve by no means been indignant. My 32 years on this enterprise, each as a prosecutor and protection lawyer, I’ve by no means been extra indignant a couple of cost as a result of at this time the rule of legislation in the USA of America died,” the lawyer mentioned. 

“It is lifeless,” Fox Information Host Sean Hannity remarked.

“It is lifeless,” Tacopina agreed. “And it is one thing that I by no means thought I might see. I’ve goosebumps even saying it as a result of I do not be ok with saying it. , whenever you stretched the legislation to get somebody you do not like or is a political opponent on this case, it’s totally exhausting to ever get that legislation to come back again to its authentic form.” 

Fox Information’ Paul Steinhauser and Andrew Murray contributed to this report.

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