As he departed for Washington, D.C., on Thursday to be arraigned, former President Donald Trump called it “a great honor” to be arrested for contesting the results of the fiercely contested 2020 presidential election.
This past week, Trump was indicted on four felony counts related to both the election and its aftermath.
Former president and current frontrunner in the Republican primary is charged with conspiracy to defraud the United States, conspiracy against the rights of citizens, obstruction and attempt to obstruct an official proceeding, and conspiracy against the rights of citizens.
He will assert his innocence.
Thursday, according to CNN, Trump’s jetliner departed Newark, New Jersey, en route to his arraignment.
Former President Barack Obama appointed U.S. District Judge Tanya Chutkan, with whom he will face off.
Before departing for Washington, Trump published two statements on Truth Social.
“I AM NOW GOING TO WASHINGTON, D.C., TO BE ARRESTED FOR HAVING CHALLENGED A CORRUPT, RIGGED, & STOLEN ELECTION. IT IS A GREAT HONOR, BECAUSE I AM BEING ARRESTED FOR YOU. MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN!!!” Trump posted.
An hour later, he assailed Chutkan, the criminal justice system, and the Biden family in a separate post.
“Biden and his family steal Millions and Millions of Dollars, including BRIBES from foreign countries, and I’m headed to D.C. to be ARRESTED for protesting a CROOKED ELECTION. UNFAIR VENUE, UNFAIR JUDGE. We are a Nation in Decline. MAGA!!!” Trump wrote.
In the past two years, Chutkan has earned a reputation for issuing harsh sentences to Americans who entered the U.S. Capitol on January 6, 2021.
According to NBC News, she is the only federal judge in Washington who has given longer sentences to defendants than prosecutors requested.
A man was sentenced to five years in prison in 2021 for discharging and hurling a fire extinguisher during the invasion.
“It has to be made clear that trying to violently overthrow the government, trying to stop the peaceful transition of power, and assaulting law enforcement officers in that effort is going to be met with absolutely certain punishment,” she said after she handed down the sentence.
According to The New York Post, Chutkan represented Theranos during her time working at a law firm linked to Hunter Biden.