Roger J. Stone Jr., a longtime ally and former adviser to President Donald Trump, appeared at a hearing in federal court in Fort Lauderdale Friday, where he was released on a $250,000 bail.

Stone said he will not testify against the president.

Fort Lauderdale attorneys Robert C. Buschel, of Buschel & Gibbons, and Grant J. Smith, of StrategySmith, represented Stone, who a federal grand jury indicted on seven charges filed by special counsel Robert Mueller in the District of Columbia Thursday.

Stone faces five counts of false statements, one count of obstruction of an official proceeding and one count of witness tampering — all in relation to the alleged Russian hack of Democratic Party emails in 2016.

Stone denied all charges against him, claiming the case was politically motivated. Stone wore a navy polo shirt, jeans and glasses as he left the probation office with his arms folded.

“I will defeat this in court,” Stone said outside the courthouse, where he was greeted by a swarm of protesters, supporters and press.

He added, “As I have always said, the only thing worse than being talked about is not being talked about.”

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Amid chants of “lock him up,” Stone was defiant, telling the crowd, ”I intend to tell the truth and I have told the truth.”

Mueller's charges led to a pre-dawn arrest on Friday. According to Stone, 29 FBI agents brought 17 vehicles to his home in the raid, which he labeled “disturbing” and unnecessary, as it scared his wife and dogs.

“They terrorized my wife, my dogs,” Stone said. “I would have been more than willing to surrender voluntarily.”

Buschel, one of Stone's lawyers, appeared pleased with the outcome of the hearing as he waited for his client to emerge from the probation office.

“He's leaving, so it went well,” Buschel said.

Buschel and Smith also represented Stone in a civil lawsuit over the Democratic Party emails, which was dismissed for lack of jurisdiction in July 2018.

Stone wouldn't confirm whether he would cooperate with the special counsel's office, but said, “I have made it clear I will not testify against the president because I would have to bear false witness against him.”

Stone categorically denied allegations he worked with the Russian state during the 2016 election, and had nothing but praise for Trump.

“I am one of his oldest friends,” Stone said. “I am a fervent supporter of the president. I think he is doing a great job at making America great again.”

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