PALM BEACH, Fla. — Former President Donald Trump lashed out Sunday at Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg and the judge presiding over his fraud trial, accusing them of conducting a politically motivated case to damage his reputation. Trump issued a lengthy statement on his social media platform, Truth Social, criticizing the ongoing legal proceedings as part of what he described as a broader “witch hunt” targeting him.
“D.A. Alvin Bragg never wanted to bring this lawless case against me,” Trump wrote. He alleged that Bragg had been pressured by the Biden administration to pursue charges and expressed anger at Mark Pomerantz, a former prosecutor in Bragg’s office, for his alleged role in advancing the case.
Pomerantz, who resigned from the district attorney’s office in early 2022, had previously advocated for pursuing charges against Trump but left his role after Bragg initially declined to move forward. Pomerantz later published a book detailing his views on Trump’s alleged financial misconduct, which Trump has cited repeatedly in his criticisms of the case.
Trump also leveled harsh accusations at the judge presiding over the trial, describing him as a “corrupt and totally conflicted political hack.” He did not provide specific evidence for the alleged conflict of interest but claimed the judge had “fabricated the facts and the law” in the case.
The former president additionally referenced a gag order imposed on him earlier in the trial. The order, which restricts Trump from publicly attacking court personnel, including the judge and prosecutors, was issued after the court determined that his remarks could pose risks to the safety of those involved. Trump called the gag order unconstitutional and accused the judge of trying to silence him.
Fraud Case and Broader Legal Challenges
The case in question stems from a lawsuit brought by New York Attorney General Letitia James, who alleges that Trump and his company inflated the value of their assets to secure favorable loans and insurance terms. The civil fraud trial is one of several legal challenges Trump is currently facing as he campaigns for the 2024 Republican presidential nomination.
The lawsuit seeks $250 million in damages and asks the court to bar Trump and his children from running businesses in New York. Trump has denied the allegations and maintained that the lawsuit is politically motivated.
In his Sunday statement, Trump also criticized the broader legal and economic climate in New York, claiming that judicial and prosecutorial actions were driving businesses out of the state. “That’s why businesses are fleeing New York, taking with them millions of jobs and BILLIONS OF DOLLARS IN TAXES,” Trump wrote.
This is not the first time Trump has attacked Bragg, James, and other New York officials. He has frequently accused them of engaging in a partisan effort to undermine his political aspirations, framing the cases against him as “rigged” and “politically motivated.”
Political Implications
Trump’s ongoing legal battles have become a focal point of his 2024 presidential campaign. He has repeatedly portrayed himself as a victim of a weaponized justice system, rallying supporters with claims that the cases against him are attempts to thwart his return to the White House.
While Trump’s legal troubles have energized his base, they have also drawn criticism from opponents who argue that his attacks on judges and prosecutors undermine public trust in the judicial system.