Donald Trump warns it is a ‘sad day for America’ as he pleads not guilty over January 6 riot, and asks supporters for cash
The former president flew back from Washington after his arraignment, his third criminal case in six weeks. He remains the only former president who has ever been criminally charged before.
Donald Trump declared it is “a very sad day for America” after pleading not guilty to trying to overturn the 2020 election result.
Speaking after his court appearance, the former US president said: “When you look at what is happening this is a persecution of a political opponent. This was never supposed to happen in America.
“This is a persecution of a person that is leading by very, very substantial numbers in the Republican primary and leading Biden a lot. So if you can’t beat him you persecute him or you prosecute him, we can’t let this happen in America.”
Barely an hour after facing a judge in Washington, Trump emailed his supporters to ask for cash – and claimed that he could face “561 years in prison for a crime I did not commit”.
Insisting he was an innocent man, his email said: “You are why I could never give up our mission to save America – no matter how nasty and vicious the attacks ever got.
“But AMERICA is always worth it!”
Trump emotionless in court
On Thursday, Trump appeared emotionless as he pleaded not guilty to all four counts against him.
These include conspiracy to defraud the US; to deprive citizens of their right to have their votes counted; and to obstruct an official proceeding – interrupting Congress as it was certifying Joe Biden as president.
They relate to the January 6 riot on the US Capitol building, which prosecutors said was “an unprecedented assault on the seat of American democracy” that was “fuelled by lies” from the former US president.
