George Zimmerman described himself Monday as a "scapegoat" for the Obama administration over the events surrounding his trial for the death of teenager Trayvon Martin.
"(I'm) like a scapegoat . . . for the government, the president, the Attorney General," Zimmerman told
CNN's "New Day."
"I don't know what they're thinking, or why they're thinking it. All I know is that they're doing it. I don't know what agenda they have," he added.
Story continues below.
Zimmerman was found not guilty last July for the 2012 death of Martin. The trial gained national attention over Florida's controversial "stand your ground" law. Zimmerman claimed he had defended himself from an attack by Martin.
Following the acquittal, Zimmerman has had run-ins with the law over a speeding ticket and domestic disputes. He said his plans for the future may include a career as a lawyer so he can prevent others from suffering the same "miscarriage of justice" he said he experienced.
"I'd like to professionally continue my education and, hopefully, become an attorney. I think that's the best way to stop the miscarriage of justice that happened to me from happening to somebody else. I don't think it should happen to anyone ever again. Not one person," he said.
Zimmerman defined the miscarriage of justice as "the fact that two law enforcement entities stated that I had acted within the laws of our nation in self-defense." When asked if he was comfortable being the face of the "stand your ground" law, he replied he wasn't comfortable "being the face of anything."
Faith in God is what has sustained Zimmerman since the verdict and the angry reaction from those who feel he is guilty of murder. He says God is "the only judge that I have to answer to."
"He knows what happened. I know what happened. But, I leave it up to Him," he said.
In hindsight, Zimmerman said his life "would be tremendously easier" if he had stayed home the evening he encountered Martin. If he had the chance, Zimmerman said he would tell the family of Trayvon Martin the he was "sorry for their loss."
He did, however, maintain he was a victim as well in the incident.
"I certainly was a victim when I was having my head bashed into the concrete, my nose broken, and beaten. So, I wouldn't say I was not a victim," he said.
Zimmerman said he no longer watches the news, opting instead for comedy and home improvement shows. His new hobby, painting, brought in over $110,000 on eBay, according to CNN. A
boxing match for charity between Zimmerman and rapper DMX was cancelled after the promoter said he received threats.
© 2025 Newsmax. All rights reserved.