Trump addresses supporters at Mar-a-Lago after indictment on 34 felony counts
MIAMI - Former President Donald Trump addressed supporters at his Mar-a-Lago estate on Tuesday evening.
The speech followed his court appearance in Manhattan, where he pleaded not guilty to 34 felony counts of falsifying business records arising from a hush money payment to a porn star during his 2016 campaign, according to law enforcement officials familiar with the matter.
At least 500 prominent supporters were invited, with some of the most pro-Trump congressional Republicans expected to attend.
Supporters in the crowd included Donald Trump Jr., Tiffany Trump, Eric Trump, Lara Trump, GOP Rep. Matt Gaetz, and GOP Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, among others.
"I never thought anything like this could happen in America," Trump told an engaged crowd in Mar-a-Lago. "Never thought it could happen. The only crime that I've committed is to fearlessly defend our nation from those who seek to destroy it."
Trump painted the indictment as Democrats' latest attempt to kneecap him, citing "fraudulent investigations" on Russia and Ukraine, and "impeachment hoax one" and "impeachment hoax two." Trump said his opponents have "really stepped up their efforts by indicting the 45th president of the United States."
Earlier in the day, flag-waving supporters lined the streets as the Trump caravan headed from Palm Beach International Airport to Mar-a-Lago.
On Tuesday, Trump became the first former president in U.S. history to face criminal prosecution.
The judge warned Trump to refrain from rhetoric that could inflame or cause civil unrest.
The former reality TV star has been hyping that narrative to his political advantage, saying he raised more than $8 million in the days since the indictment on claims of a "witch hunt."
His campaign released a fundraising request titled "My last email before arrest" and he has repeatedly assailed the Manhattan district attorney, egged on supporters to protest and claimed without evidence that the judge presiding over the case "hates me" - something his own lawyer has said is not true.
A conviction would not prevent Trump from running for or winning the presidency in 2024.
Trump is next due in court in December, but his lawyers asked for him to be excused from attending the hearing in person because of extraordinary security proceedings.