Donald Trump says he will remain in presidential race if he is convicted
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Donald Trump has vowed to continue running for president in 2024, even if he is found guilty of keeping classified documents.
In his first public remarks since a magistrate judge unsealed the damning case against him, Trump made clear that his best — and perhaps primary — defense against the charges will be waged in arenas before friendly audiences rather than in the courtroom.
The former president sought to galvanize his supporters to view the entire American justice system as corrupt, weaponized to target conservatives and deployed to prevent him from winning the 2024 election. The indictment, he said, was a “joke,” done only because Democrats feared him.
The 76-year-old former U.S. president acknowledged to Politico that federal charges for alleged illegal storage of highly classified documents are damaging, saying: “I don’t want to be indicted.”
Trump was indicted this week on 37 counts that carry potentially serious prison sentences. However, he insisted he would continue his candidacy for 2024, even if he was found guilty.
The US Constitution does not explicitly prohibit a candidate running for president either as a convicted felon or from behind bars.
However, there is no doubt that such a scenario would further test the country’s political and legal apparatus.
The indictment of a sitting or former US president on federal charges is unprecedented in American history.
Mr Trump, who remains the Republican frontrunner, predicted to Politico that he would not be convicted.
He also appeared to rule out taking a potential plea deal from prosecutors, but said he would be open to an agreement “where they pay me some damages”.
He declined to say whether he would pardon himself should he regain office in 2024, instead saying: “I don’t think I’ll ever have to,” Trump said. “I didn’t do anything wrong”.
