Donald Trump lashed out at his political opponents in an angry speech at a New Jersey fundraiser just hours after he pleaded not guilty to 37 federal charges.
In a speech that lasted just over half an hour on Tuesday night, he attacked a range of prominent public figures including Bill and Hillary Clinton, President Joe Biden and his family, and the prosecutor in the Miami legal case.
“Today, we witnessed the most evil and heinous abuse of power in the history of our country,” he opened.
He claimed his indictment was “another attempt to rig and steal an election” that was “straight out of a fascist or communist nation”.
Trump is accused of unlawfully keeping classified security documents when he left office and lying to officials trying to recover them from his Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida.
The documents related to nuclear programmes and other sensitive military secrets.
Some of the 37 charges come under the Espionage Act with prison sentences of up to 20 years.
He detailed some of his legal defence during the speech, claiming he had every right to keep the classified documents.
“They are threatening me with 400 years in prison for possessing my own presidential papers,” he claimed.
“Whatever documents the president decides to take with him, he has the right to do so – it is an absolute right.”
“They’ve got to drop this case immediately as it is destroying the country,” he said, adding that the case was a “sham”.
He touched on the classified documents previously found in Joe Biden’s possession and made other claims against his 2016 presidential rival Hillary Clinton.
“I’m the only one who followed the law,” he claimed.
“Joe Biden had no authority to declassify as vice president, I did as president. Nothing happens to crooked Joe.
“I did everything right and they indicted me.”
Towards the end of his speech, he repeated inflammatory claims on issues central to his election campaign.
He said he would strengthen border controls and end the war in Ukraine “in 24 hours”.
Trump also asserted he would appoint a special prosecutor “to go after” President Biden and his family.
The US is a “nation in serious decline,” Trump continued.
Read more: What investigations is Donald Trump facing?
“If the communists get away with this, it won’t stop there – [the] persecution of Christians, pro-life parents, future Republican candidates.”
“I will totally obliterate the deep state, we know who they are.
“I am the only one who can save this nation.
“Justice will be done, we will take back our country,” he finished.
The fiery speech in Bedminster, New Jersey came hours after he appeared in a Miami courtroom to face the federal charges.
US magistrate judge Jonathan Goodman allowed Trump to leave court without conditions or travel restrictions, and no bail was required.
Legal experts say it could be a year or more before a trial takes place.
Trump is currently the frontrunner in the race to become the Republican candidate for the 2024 presidential election.
His former aide and co-accused, Walt Nauta, did not enter a plea.
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Outside the courthouse, there were chaotic scenes with supporters and protestors clashing.
The former president also stopped at a Cuban bakery after the hearing, where local community leaders prayed with him in both English and Spanish.
It was Trump’s second courtroom appearance in recent months.
In April, he pleaded not guilty to state charges in New York stemming from a hush-money payment to porn star Stormy Daniels.