Speaking to reporters outside of his private plane, Trump has denounced the investigation.
“This is a very sad day for America, and it was also very sad driving through Washington DC and seeing the filth and decay.”
“This is not the place that I left,” he says about the city on only his second visit back since leaving office.
Trump then describes the charges against him as the “persecution of a political opponent”.
“If you can’t prosecute them, persecute them,” he says before leaving without taking any questions.
“This case will benefit from normal order, including a speedy trial,” said a prosecutor on behalf of the government a few minutes ago before the hearing ended.
Trump’s lawyer John Lauro pushed back and said his team needs time to weigh “the scope and extent” of the justice department’s evidence in this case, given that the government has had three years to set forth its side.
He added a just and fair trial – one that protects Trump’s constitutional rights – is just as important as a speedy trial.
He has previously been charged in two other unrelated cases – which relate to secret documents, and payments to former porn star Stormy Daniels.
Despite the criminal cases, Trump is the favourite to be the Republican candidate in the 2024 election
Reporter
