Former President Trump pleaded not guilty Tuesday to 37 felony counts related to allegedly handling classified documents and trying to prevent the government from recovering classified documents, according to reports.
He was arrested after surrendering himself to federal authorities prior to arraignment.
Trump is scheduled to speak live at a club in Bedminster, New Jersey, Tuesday night for a private fundraiser. It is unclear at this time if a date for the next public hearing has been set.
Following an investigation by special counsel Jack Smith, the Justice Department on Friday released an indictment against the former president, accusing him of illegally exfiltrating hundreds of classified documents and obstructing government recovery efforts. These included US nuclear weapons operations and national documents. He then stored them in unsafe locations such as bathrooms, ballrooms and storage rooms in his Florida mansion. The Mar-a-Lago facility is a private club that attracts thousands each year.
According to the indictment, classified and other classified records recovered by the FBI after the subpoena and property search included details about U.S. and foreign nuclear capabilities, as well as information about both U.S. and foreign defense and weapons capabilities. It is said that States, potential vulnerabilities of the United States and its allies to military attacks, and plans for possible retaliation against attacks.
President Trump has been charged with willful retention of defense intelligence, conspiracy to obstruct justice, seizure of documents and records, and wrongful concealment of documents in federal investigations. Engage in cover-ups or make false statements or representations.
of true social post President Trump called Smith a “thug” hours before his court appearance and accused him, his friends and family of fabricating evidence in the case.playing cards He also questioned why Smith didn’t review. Smith has no authority to review allegations against President Biden and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton.
President Trump’s personal aide, Walt Nauta, also pleaded not guilty to charges of obstruction of justice, seizure of documents and records, wrongful concealment of documents in a federal investigation, plot to conceal and false statements or representations.
The case was initially handled by President Trump-appointed Judge Eileen Cannon, who ruled in Trump’s favor in a dispute last year over a special master assigned to review seized classified documents. was criticized for doing so. Her ruling, which delayed the investigation for several weeks, was overturned by the 11th Circuit Court of Appeals.
Arrests are generally made by magistrates.
U.S. Security Service spokesperson told the Associated Press Officials have enough photos of Mr Trump, but they won’t take him. A digital fingerprint was taken of President Trump, which recorded his date of birth and Social Security number, a spokesperson said.
President Trump and his allies have repeatedly described the charges as a witch hunt to prevent a 2024 takeover. said in a social media post If elected, he said he would appoint a “special ‘prosecutor’ to pursue Biden and his family.” The president does not have the power to appoint a special counsel. That authority rests with the U.S. Attorney General.
Police temporarily evicted Trump supporters and journalists from the Wilkie D. Ferguson, Jr. Federal Courthouse plaza Tuesday morning. Several news outlets reported that bomb threats had been made. Earlier, prominent right-wing figures who called on supporters to protest addressed a small audience.
Outside the courthouse, the former president’s supporters chanted “Free Donald Trump!” And “America!” while waving the “Make America Great Again” flag. Opponents held placards that read, “Trump, you are not above the law,” and “Hold him on 31 espionage charges!”
Hundreds of demonstrators and counter demonstrators outnumbered reporters outside the building.
“The people in charge of this country don’t love America. They hate Donald Trump,” Trump’s attorney and press secretary Alina Hubba said outside the courthouse before arraignment.
Miami Police Chief Manuel Morales said at a press conference that police were preparing for crowds of up to 50,000 on Tuesday. Security guards and federal personnel were posted outside the courthouse on Monday.
“Don’t get me wrong, we take this incident very seriously,” Morales said. “I know things could go for the worst, but that’s not the Miami way.”
Several Republican lawmakers under President Trump, led by Rep. Matt Gates (R, Florida), held a public event to discuss the indictments and ongoing prosecutions of those who entered the Capitol on Jan. 6 before the former president’s court appearance. planned. , 2021, Rebellion.
Rep. Marjorie Taylor Green (R-Georgia) announced on the floor of the House Monday that she plans to introduce an appropriation covenant to defund the special counsel’s investigation. Such a bill is unlikely to pass the Senate, which is dominated by Democrats.
Senator J.D. Vance (R., Ohio) said on Tuesday that he would block all Justice Department candidates except the Marshal candidate after Trump’s indictment.
The Southern District of Florida generally does not allow reporters to take photographs, video or record court proceedings. Late Monday, a federal judge ruled that “allowing photography would undermine a massive security system,” allowing a coalition of news outlets, including the Los Angeles Times, to take pictures and video of the courtroom and surrounding corridors on Tuesday. Denied permission to record. place. ”
The magistrate also denied a request for the immediate release of an audio recording of the entire proceedings of the case. The judge said the dossier is expected to be released on Tuesday.
U.S. Chief Justice Cecilia Altonaga of the Southern District of Florida also ruled late Monday that reporters cannot bring cell phones or electronic devices into court because of Trump’s arraignment. Reporters are generally exempt from rules that ban electronic devices.
Los Angeles-based staff writer Summer Lynn contributed to this report.
