Donald Trump’s lawyer said the former president’s “knees are not going to bend” and there was “zero” chance he would accept a plea deal in the face of criminal charges.
In an interview with Sky News’ US partner NBC News, Joe Tacopina said his clients were “ready to fight” and would not be “hiding” at his exclusive Mar-a- Lago Golf Resort.
he said trump card face a Mugshots, fingerprinting and court appearances After being indicted by a New York grand jury over alleged hush money payments to adult film actresses stormy daniels During the 2016 presidential campaign.
Live Update: Prosecutors file criminal charges against Trump
The $130,000 (£105,000) payment is said to be in exchange for claims Daniels kept quiet about extramarital sex a decade ago.
He is the first former US president to face criminal charges in court despite his attempt to retake the White House in 2024.
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Mr Trump has denied any wrongdoing and has repeatedly criticized the investigation and called the indictment a “witch hunt”.
Asked whether the former president would take a plea deal, Mr Tacopina said: “Zero, zero. First of all, I’m not going to take a plea deal for anything.
“But President Trump is not going to accept a plea deal in this situation. It’s not going to happen. No crime.”
He added: “His knee is not bent. So I think he’s ready to fight it now.”
Mr Tacopina said he was not “particularly” aware of the nature of the charges against Trump, but added that the indictment “revolves around a legal, very general non-disclosure agreement signed years ago”.
“That’s just the thing that really makes this shocking,” he added.
He argued that the decision to prosecute Trump would have “widespread consequences” and “jeopardize the rule of law for all Americans.”
“Today it’s Donald Trump, tomorrow it’s a Democrat, the day after tomorrow it’s your friend, the day after tomorrow it’s you or me,” he told NBC.