House Speaker Mike Johnson defends Trump outside New York trial in GOP show of support

Washington — House Speaker Mike Johnson joined Donald Trump at a Manhattan courthouse on Tuesday to express support for the former president amid his criminal trial, which the speaker called a "sham" and part of a broader "partisan witch hunt" against Trump.

"President Trump is innocent of these charges," Johnson said, speaking outside the courthouse as proceedings got underway inside.

The Louisiana Republican was the latest in a number of GOP members of Congress who have shown their support for the former president at his New York trial in recent days. He said he came on his own accord to support Trump, whom he called a friend. Several other lawmakers also attended.