Donald Trump’s lawyers say the former president’s “knees won’t bend” and there is “zero” chance he will accept a plea deal in the face of historic criminal charges.
In an interview with Sky News’ US partner NBC News, Joe Tacopina said his clients were “ready to fight” and would not be “hiding” at his exclusive Mar-a- Lago Golf Resort.
he said trump card face a Mugshots, fingerprinting and court appearances being being Indicted by a New York grand jury About alleged hush money paid to adult film actress stormy daniels During the 2016 presidential campaign.
Former president calls indictment a ‘witch hunt’
Live Updates: Trump’s niece calls for celebration
The $130,000 (£105,000) payment is said to be in exchange for claims Daniels kept quiet about extramarital sex a decade ago.
The 76-year-old president is the first former US president to face criminal charges in court despite his attempt to retake the White House from Joe Biden in 2024.
read more:
What’s next in the legal process?
key person
Trump wants a circus show in New York court
The prospect of Trump appearing before a judge early next week could further divide the world’s largest
powerful country.
Even before news of the indictment broke, he had been seeking to use legal threats to raise money and rally his staunch supporters.
Tried to oust election-losing Trump whose bogus poll-rigging allegations sparked controversy Deadly attack on the U.S. Capitol On January 6, 2021, he said he would continue his campaign.
The Republican tycoon has denied any wrongdoing and has repeatedly criticized the investigation led by Democratic District Attorney Alvin Bragg, calling the indictment a “witch hunt.”
What’s next for Donald Trump?
Asked whether the former president would take a plea deal, Mr Tacopina said: “Zero, zero. First of all, I’m not going to take a plea deal for anything.
“But President Trump is not going to accept a plea deal in this situation. It’s not going to happen. No crime.”
He added: “His knee is not bent. So I think he’s ready to fight it now.”
Mr Tacopina said he was not “particularly” aware of the nature of the charges against Trump, but added that the indictment “revolves around a legal, very general non-disclosure agreement signed years ago”.
“That’s just the thing that really makes this shocking,” he added.
He argued that the decision to prosecute Trump would have “widespread consequences” and “jeopardize the rule of law for all Americans.”
“Today it’s Donald Trump, tomorrow it’s a Democrat, the day after tomorrow it’s your friend, the day after tomorrow it’s you or me,” he told NBC.
A spokesman for the Manhattan district attorney’s office said prosecutors had contacted Trump’s defense team to coordinate the surrender.