Trump lawyer Alina Habba says only ‘crime’ former president has committed is ‘loving America’

MILWAUKEE — Trump attorney Alina Habba took the stage at the Republican National Convention on Thursday looking to humanize former President Donald Trump even as he faces a number of criminal cases.

Habba told supporters she wanted to take them “behind the law and behind the headlines” to describe her experience with Trump. Habba lauded the former president for helping to shape her career and “empowering me to be who I am today.”

“Every attack on President Trump only strengthens our movement,” Habba said. “The Left’s madness is only a sign of desperation. Sham indictments and baseless allegations will not deter us because the only crime President Trump has committed is loving America.”

The remarks come just days after U.S. District Judge Aileen Cannon dismissed charges against Trump related to his handling of classified documents after leaving office in 2021.

Cannon dismissed the case after ruling that special counsel Jack Smith was unlawfully appointed by Attorney General Merrick Garland to lead the case. The dismissal was grounded in two primary violations: the appointments clause and the appropriations clause of the Constitution.

Trump’s defense challenged the legality of Smith’s appointment and the funding of his office, leading to a complex legal battle over constitutional principles and statutory interpretation. The court ultimately sided with Trump, emphasizing that the appointments clause serves as a critical safeguard in maintaining the separation of powers and ensuring democratic accountability.

Habba’s speech comes as she has taken on a prominent role on Trump’s campaign team after spending years as the former president’s attorney and gaining national recognition in that role. However, Habba did not represent Trump in the classified documents case.

Habba has represented Trump in several cases, including a federal civil lawsuit filed by Trump’s former attorney Michael Cohen, who accused the former president as well as the New York case where he was accused of falsely misrepresenting the value of his assets on forms required for banks to ensure Trump had the funds necessary to pay back loans.

Habba’s speech comes on the fourth and final day of the RNC, just hours before Trump is expected to accept the party’s presidential nomination, solidifying the GOP ticket with Sen. J.D. Vance (R-OH) as his running mate.