US House Speaker Mike Johnson skipped an important House session on Tuesday to attend the trial of former President Donald Trump in New York. Trump is accused of making secret payments to an adult film star who claimed to have had an affair with him.
Johnson said outside the courtroom, “President Trump is innocent of these charges.” He was joined by other supporters, including the governor of North Dakota and a few Republican representatives.
Trump has used his trial to test the loyalty of his supporters and potential vice-presidential candidates. He has also been using social media and TV to spread his message.
Trump said, “I have many surrogates who are speaking out against this trial. They think it’s a scam.” He also complained about the courtroom, saying, “I’ve been here for nearly four weeks in this cold courtroom.”
The charges against Trump claim that the secret payments were a way to influence the 2016 election.
Meanwhile, back in Washington, the House was supposed to discuss an important bill about the Federal Aviation Authority. However, Johnson was not there, as he was busy supporting Trump in New York.
Johnson said, “The judicial system is being used to punish President Trump and protect another president. These trials are politically motivated and a disgrace.”
Other Trump supporters, including a senator and a few representatives, have also spoken out against the trial, calling it “election interference” and a “sham.”
Trump faces many charges, including some related to his attempts to overturn the 2020 election results and his handling of classified information. Despite this, he remains a strong candidate for the Republican presidential nomination.
