WEST PALM BEACH (AP) - “The only crime I have committed was to fearlessly defend our nation from those who seek to destroy it.”
Flanked by American flags, former President Donald Trump delivered a campaign-style speech to cheering supporters at Mar-a-Lago Tuesday night.
Trump was defiant, referring, among other things, to his two impeachment trials during his presidency and an ongoing probe into alleged attempts to interfere in that state’s 2020 presidential election. He called the New York indictment the latest in an "onslaught of fraudulent investigations.”
“This fake case was brought only to interfere with the upcoming 2024 election and it should be dropped immediately," Trump said.
He also lashed out at the prosecutor and the judge presiding over the New York case — despite being warned hours earlier by the judge to refrain from rhetoric that could cause civil unrest.
Trump waved goodbye as he made his way out of the ballroom thronged by people recording the moment with their smartphones.
The crowd included supporters like failed Arizona gubernatorial candidate Kari Lake and longtime ally Roger Stone.