By Editorial
Donald Trump has become the first former American president ever to be criminally charged.
The 76-year-old pleaded not guilty in New York yesterday to 34 felony counts of falsifying business records.
The charges relate to Mr. Trump’s involvement in hush money payments to former porn star Stormy Daniels ahead of the 2016 presidential election.
There’s no doubt that if the case gets to trial, it will be watched worldwide. But the legal process that lies ahead could last several months – and will certainly see Mr. Trump’s lawyers fighting to get the case dropped.
In his speech, Trump quoted unnamed analysts who have said there is not strong evidence again him.
He lists all the ways that he says he has been persecuted since launching his 2016 campaign all those years ago, without providing any evidence.
He describes the two times he was impeached – a historic first for any president – as “hoaxes”. END