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‘He was shocked’: Lawyer says Donald Trump learned about indictment from media and not DA’s office

'I’ve never been more angry about a charge because today, the rule of law in the United States of America died,' said Joe Tacopina

SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA: Donald Trump was shocked to hear about his indictment through media reports, claims his lawyer Joe Tacopina. Tacopina explained the same in an interview with Fox News hosted by Sean Hannity. Trump came to understand the indictment through media reports rather than hearing it from Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg’s office. 

Tacopina also claimed that his arraignment, which is to take place on Tuesday, April 4, has not yet got finalized. He added that Trump would be charged with over 30 counts of business fraud. The indictment against Trump is over the hush-money payments made ahead of the 2016 elections to porn star Stormy Daniels, marking the first-ever criminal case against a former US president.

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What did Joe Tacopina claim in the interview?

Tacopina claimed, “He’s ready to fight. You know, he’s the toughest guy I know. He was shocked, you know because we really weren’t – I was shocked". Further, he added, “I’ve never been more angry about a charge because today, the rule of law in the United States of America died. It’s dead. It’s dead,” Tacopina said. “We are discussing with them, you know, obviously, there’s a group called the Secret Service that’s involved now. I mean, this is going to be something we’ve never seen the likes of. “We now heard 34 counts, and I guarantee you it’s going to be 34 counts when we find out next week. They’ll take each check and make that a count, perhaps, and that’s how they’ll do it because the checks are paid to Cohen,” added the lawyer. He then claimed, “This will backfire. Because we’re gonna win this case. We will humiliate them, and they will pay the price," as per New York Post. 

What was the response from Donald Trump?

Trump claimed in an official statement that it was "Political Persecution and Election Interference at the highest level in history." Further, he stated, “I believe this Witch-Hunt will backfire massively on Joe Biden,” the former president said. “The American people realize exactly what the Radical Left Democrats are doing here. Everyone can see it. So our Movement, and our Party – united and strong – will first defeat Alvin Bragg, and then we will defeat Joe Biden, and we are going to throw every last one of these Crooked Democrats out of office so we can MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN," as per CNN. 

'He predicted it'

The Internet quickly reacted to the news. A user said, "shocked ? He predicted it". Another wrote, "He wasn’t shocked. He announced this a week ago. Stop lying". "And this is only the beginning. There is the Georgia looming indictments and the federal one. Trump is in for a rough 2023," said another. "Oh? Nothing shocks Trump," said a user. Another comment read, "Lock him up!" "Another Circus show. Both parties have lost all credibility with the real world. A DA & Democratic Party who vowed to take down Trump. Trump & Co are also lost. Nobody cares about anyone but themselves. #politicalclowns," claimed a user. "Hey Donald! You Are No Longer An Unindicted Co-conspirator!" said another. 

This article contains remarks made on the Internet by individual people and organizations. MEAWW cannot confirm them independently and does not support claims or opinions being made online.