Key Takeaways:
- Former US President Donald Trump turns 77 today
- He was arraigned in fresh criminal charges about the alleged classified documents he took out of the White House
- Republicans have accused US President Joe Biden of political vendetta
YEREVAN (CoinChapter.com) — Former US President Donald Trump turns 77 today.
However, his birthday was more eventful this year than many in the past. The Republican strongman was arrested, indicted, and prosecuted in a Miami federal court. He faces a fresh set of charges on 37 counts about allegations that he illegally kept hundreds of classified documents after he left the White House.
According to authorities, the leading 2024 Republican presidential candidate refused to return the documents despite multiple efforts to retrieve them.
Trump appeared flaunted in court by his lawyers, aide, and co-defendant Walt Nauta. The duo pleaded not guilty before being released on bail.
Meanwhile, the court ruled Trump could not speak to any witnesses in the case and even forbade him from being in touch with Nauta. However, the judge allowed him to keep his passport and travel if necessary.
Scores of Republicans and Trump supporters turned up to show support. Several accused incumbent US President Joe Biden of political prosecution against his rival.
This is President Trump’s second arraignment in less than two months. In early April, he pleaded not guilty on 34 counts about the hush payments he allegedly made to porn star Stormy Daniels just before the 2016 presidential election.
Trump is the first US President, both sitting and former, to face criminal charges.
Also Read: Why the United States Needs a New President?
Donald Trump’s fundraiser following his arraignment
Following his arraignment, the former President went to his massive Bedminster property for a pre-planned fundraiser ahead of his 77 birthday.
Amid cheers from supporters, Trump attacked Biden and the state establishment for targeting him. Citing examples of other US presidents and officials who had taken classified files, he questioned why no one acted against them.
Trump referred to Former President Bill Clinton, who kept audiotapes in a sock drawer and got away with it. Trump also attacked former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton for using a private email server while in office.
The Republican strongman also questioned why Joe Biden did not face any repercussions for having piles of classified documents with him. At the same time, Trump argued that it was well within his jurisdiction to declassify documents as President. The same could not be said about Biden or Clinton.
Yet, in what he termed as judicial bias, no one cracked down on the Democrats.
“I am the only one who followed the law. It’s Joe Biden and his corrupt Department of Injustice who think that they are above the law. Never before have the two standards of justice in our country been more starkly revealed. Joe Biden had troves of classified documents from his time as Vice-President and even as a Senator, which was completely and totally illegal,”
Trump said.
The former President also hit out at Biden, citing that he has received millions in Bribes from China and Ukraine.
Also Read: Op-Ed: The US Securities and Exchange Commission: Corrupt, Crooked and Biased?
Is Trump a victim of Political bias?
The failure of the US Department of Justice to crack down on Joe Biden for what seems like similar illegal action is quite telling. The Republican Party, with all its drawbacks, has every right to complain.
It does seem suspicious that the sitting President can avoid criminal responsibility while his opponent goes through an entire process.
House Speaker Kevin McCarthy pointed out that the entire procedure reeks of bias.
“We have a sitting president who possessed classified documents dating back decades to his time as Vice President and as a Senator. Yet he is now weaponizing the federal government to go after his leading political opponent. Where is the equal justice under the law?”
McCarthy asked.
But those that have followed President Biden are not surprised. The 86-year-old career politician wants to prevent Trump from entering the White House again.
On Nov 9, 2022, during a Press Conference, Biden said he is seeking legal remedies to make sure Donald Trump doesn’t become US president in 2024.
“Well, we just have to demonstrate that he will not take power… if he does run. I’m making sure he, under legitimate efforts of our Constitution, does not become the next President again,”
Biden said.
If found guilty, the Republican hopeful faces a long jail term. Time will show if the cases against him will make him more popular or hurt his re-election chances. But for now, let’s wish him a Happy Birthday.
