On Saturday — two days after a grand jury indicted former President Trump, securing his place in historical past as the primary former U.S. president to face prison fees — a small group of supporters gathered in Orange County to protest the indictment.
In the course of the gathering close to the Huntington Seaside Pier on Saturday afternoon, the group of roughly 40 individuals flew “Make America Nice Once more” flags and chanted “God bless Trump!” At one level, two demonstrators have been hit on their heads with skateboards throughout a conflict.
A person was hit within the head with a skateboard at a pro-Trump rally in Huntington Seaside.
(Irfan Khan / Los Angeles Instances)
As a result of the indictment stays sealed, the exact prison fees aren’t but clear, however the investigation introduced to the grand jury in New York centered on Trump’s alleged position in a scheme to pay hush cash to grownup movie star Stormy Daniels through the remaining push of his 2016 marketing campaign.
The indictment marks solely one of many potential authorized issues for Trump, who has declared that he’ll search the presidency once more in 2024. He additionally faces investigations into his alleged involvement in 2020 election interference by his supporters and the Jan. 6, 2021, assault on the U.S. Capitol, in addition to his dealing with of labeled paperwork after leaving workplace.
Attorneys for the previous president stated in a press release that their shopper didn’t commit any crimes and Republican allies have portrayed Manhattan Dist. Atty. Alvin Bragg, whose workplace introduced the case to the grand jurors, as a far-left prosecutor working to make sure that Trump gained’t get elected in 2024.
Professional-Trump demonstrators rally in Huntington Seaside.
(Irfan Khan / Los Angeles Instances)
After he was indicted, Trump — who is predicted to be arraigned on Tuesday — put out a press release characterizing the indictment as “Political Persecution” and a “Witch-Hunt” fueled by “Radical Left Democrats.”
A few of the demonstrators on Saturday echoed such language, referring to what they referred to as a “pretend indictment” and “only a sham.”
A couple of minutes after midday, two demonstrators have been hit with skateboards. One of many victims — a person who had been main the chants — was bleeding from the pinnacle however ambulatory. The opposite refused to provide his title to a Instances reporter.
Huntington Seaside police initially detained two males on the scene. Huntington Seaside Police Division spokesperson Jessica Cuchilla stated one particular person was taken into custody.
She stated one of many victims was taken to the hospital with minor accidents and that the incident was below investigation.
Demonstrators on the pro-Trump rally.
(Irfan Khan / Los Angeles Instances )
One of many demonstrators, who recognized himself as 18-year-old Joseph Edward of Redlands, stated he witnessed the assault in opposition to his fellow demonstrators and stated it was unprovoked.
“It was supposed to be peaceable,” Edward stated. “We don’t need this. We don’t need it to occur once more.”
Instances workers writers Sarah D. Wire and Arit John contributed to this report.
