In the face of all the criminal charges he is currently facing, former President Donald Trump is planning to say one simple sentence in the court room: "I'll just say not guilty."
These are the words Trump uttered during a recent interview with radio host Howie Carr about Trump's 37 felony charges, which include allegations that he made false statements and concealed records. Also charged is Walt Nauta, an aide to the former president.
Trump violated the law, prosecutors say, by holding national security materials at his properties in Palm Beach, Fla., and Bedminster, N.J. Trump also allegedly showed these documents to people who do not hold security clearance; obstructed investigations by directing Nauta to move boxes in order to conceal them from the FBI; and falsely stated that he was cooperating with the FBI investigation while allegedly withholding some of the materials called for in a subpoena.
Both Trump and Nauta appeared in court in Miami to enter their pleas this week. Trump has already stated to Carr that he is innocent, and now Trump wants America and the world to believe him when he says that he "didn't do anything wrong."
"I did nothing wrong," Trump reiterated in the interview, adding that federal authorities have "no case whatsoever." He also pointed to a similar such case involving 2016 Democrat presidential wannabe Hillary Clinton, which did not lead to any charges.
(Related: According to the Twitter Files, America is headed into "totalitarian state territory.")
Biden interfering with 2024 election by charging Trump
In Trump's view, all of the charges against him stem not from crimes he actually committed but from fake president Joe Biden and his efforts to derail Trump's bid for the presidency in 2024. According to Biden, he never directed the Department of Justice (DOJ) to go after Trump.
Special counsel Jack Smith, appointed by Attorney General Merrick Garland – Garland was directly appointed by Biden – also says that Trump is being charged not to try to stop him from winning the White House again in 2024 but because he violated the law.
"Our laws that protect national defense information are critical to the safety and security of the United States and they must be enforced," Smith said in a prepared statement. "Violations of those laws put our country at risk."
"Adherence to the rule of law is a bedrock principle of the Department of Justice. And our nation's commitment to the rule of law sets an example for the world. We have one set of laws in this country, and they apply to everyone."
Smith did emphasize that that both Trump and Nauta are presumed to be innocent until found guilty.
Miami Police Chief Manny Morales told a briefing that the city is preparing to receive up to 50,000 visitors as part of Trump's trial proceedings. Morales is encouraging those who are coming there to protest to remain peaceful.
"Make no mistake about it: we're taking this event extremely seriously," Morales said at the press conference. "We know that there is a potential for things taking a turn for the worst, but that's not the Miami way."
So far, police have chosen not to erect barricades around the Wilkie D. Ferguson Jr. U.S. Courthouse where the arraignment is scheduled to take place. Instead, simple yellow police tape like the kind used at crime scenes will be strewn around the building and property as a deterrent.
So far, since the trial is now in progress, things have remained peaceful. The number of people protesting also remains small with no single protest incident exceeding any more than 100 people at any time.
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