‘100% innocent,’ Trump ally accused of working for UAE pleads not guilty
An ally of former US president Donald Trump who has been accused of working for the united Arab emirates says he is “100 percent innocent.”
Thomas Barrack appeared in a court in New York on Monday to plead not guilty along with another business associate facing similar charges.
“As you’d expect, the system is working," Barrack said as he left Brooklyn federal courthouse after his arraignment.
The 74-year-old private equity investor was arrested last Tuesday in Los Angeles on the charges.
"I think what you'll find is that … over time, you'll all see that I'm 100 percent innocent," said Barrack.
There was at least one person hoisting a sign saying "Traitor" in big black letters as Barrack arrived at the court.
"The important thing for us to remember is three miles from here standing in the middle of New York Harbor is the Statue of Liberty with a torch in her hand signifying enlightenment, welcoming the seven continents across the seven seas to bring to her the immigrant masses to give them tolerance, liberty and justice," Barrack said in a statement after his arraignment.
The chairman of Trump's Inaugural Committee is among several Trump allies facing legal challenges.
The Trump administration maintained particularly close ties with the UAE and its ally, Saudi Arabia, during the Republican president’s tenure.
"My grandparents came here in 1896 and 1900 and from humble and simple beginnings they gave me the gift of all that America has to offer," he said. "That statue is made of steel with a patina of copper. We're in the middle of a very heated moment and I can only tell you that the hardest steel is forged from the hottest fire."
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