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Former President Donald Trump appeared in a federal court in Miami, Florida, pleading not guilty to the charges of mishandling sensitive files. He became the first US president to be charged with a federal criminal indictment.
He sat in a dark suit and red tie, appearing sombre in court. Trump entered the courtroom for the second time this year, but Tuesday’s case was more serious.
In a 13th floor courtroom, Trump’s lawyer entered a plea of not guilty on 37 counts of illegally retaining classified documents and obstructing the government’s efforts to get them back.
His co-defendant, Walt Nauta, was charged with six criminal counts in the same case and sat at the same table. Todd Blanche, Mr Trump’s attorney, entered a plea of not guilty on behalf of Mr Trump. The former president, age 76, was free to leave court without any restrictions on travel outside the country or the United States.
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The prosecution informed Magistrate Judge Jonathan Goodman that Mr Trump is not regarded as a flight risk, and the judge agreed to let him leave the court without any restrictions. However, Mr Trump will not be able to discuss the case with Mr Nauta.
He was brought to the courtroom by a motorcade from the Trump National Doral resort, where he had spent the night. Eric Trump, one of his sons, accompanied him.
Alina Habba, attorney for the former president, spoke to journalists outside the court, repeating Mr Trump’s claims that the charges were politically motivated. She said that prosecuting a political opponent is something you see in countries like Cuba and Venezuela.
She further added that what’s being done to President Trump should scare all citizens of the country. Court officials had earlier clarified that Mr Trump would not have his mugshot taken but would be digitally fingerprinted and submit a DNA sample by swab.
Even though the trial’s date has not been set, it is still earmarked for Aileen Cannon, a federal district judge in South Florida, who was appointed by Trump. After leaving the courtroom, the former president is expected to return to his golf resort in Bedminster, New Jersey, where he will address the media.
There were small crowds of Trump supporters and counter-protesters gathered outside the court, but Mayor Francis Suarez reported that there had been no security problems.
The charges were made public last Friday after FBI agents found over one hundred documents with classified markings at Trump’s private Florida estate Mar-a-Lago in August. The documents contained information about the defence and weapons capabilities of both the United States and foreign countries, as well as plans for possible retaliation in response to a foreign attack.
Prosecutors claim Trump hoarded files, storing some in a ballroom and a bathroom, and engaged in a conspiracy with an aide to obstruct the FBI’s inquiry.
Trump’s legal troubles do not seem to have diminished his support among Republican voters. A poll conducted by the BBC’s US partner CBS indicated that 76% of likely Republican primary voters worried more that the indictment was politically motivated than the documents posing a national security risk.
Trump accused the Biden administration of weaponizing law enforcement agencies against him in an interview with a Spanish-language radio program on Monday. However, the Department of Justice, the federal agency that enforces US law, redresses as independent from the White House. President Joe Biden also declared that he had never once suggested to the justice department what they should do.
If convicted, Trump may receive a substantial prison term because of the criminal charges. He has, however, stated that he will continue his campaign for president regardless of the outcome.
At a previous court appearance, Trump was arraigned in April in New York on charges that he falsified business documents for a hush-money payment made to a porn star before the 2016 election. Trump’s court appearance on Tuesday was his second appearance in under three months.
Trump sat solemnly in a courtroom on Tuesday, facing serious federal criminal charges of retaining classified information illegally and obstructing the government’s efforts to recover it.
He appeared in a dark suit and red tie and pleaded not guilty to all counts. More serious than his previous appearance, this is the first time that a US president has been hit with a federal criminal indictment. Todd Blanche, Trump’s attorney, entered a plea of not guilty on his client’s behalf.
Along with a close aide, Walt Nauta, who was also charged in the case with six criminal counts. He was allowed to leave the courtroom without any restrictions on travel outside the country or the United States.
A one-time co-defendant of Trump, Nauta was present at the same table as the former president but will not be allowed to discuss the case with him. After being allowed to leave, Trump returned to his golf resort in Bedminster, New Jersey, where he is expected to address the media.
Prosecutors disclosed the charges on Friday, alleging that Trump hordes classified files, stored some in a ballroom and a bathroom, and conspired with an aide to obstruct the FBI’s inquiry. The files contained information about the defence and weapons capabilities of both the United States and foreign countries, along with strategies for possible retaliation in response to a foreign attack. After once being charged in April in New York with falsifying business documents for a hush-money payment, Trump has encountered legal difficulties. This case, however, could result in a considerable prison sentence if he is found guilty.
Republican voters’ support for Trump has not wavered as a result of his legal difficulties. In a poll conducted by the BBC’s US partner CBS, 76% of likely Republican primary voters indicated they were more worried about the indictment being politically motivated than the documents posing a national security risk.
On Monday, Trump accused the Biden administration of using law enforcement agencies to attack him during an interview with a Spanish-language radio program. However, the Department of Justice is independent of the White House.
Despite the fact that he may face a substantial prison sentence if convicted of the criminal charges, Trump has stated that he will continue his campaign for president.
He appeared in a courtroom on Tuesday for the second time in three months, this time for more severe federal criminal charges. Although he will return to his golf resort in Bedminster, New Jersey, to address the media, he will face widespread public scrutiny.
Mr Trump has become the first former or current US president to be charged with a federal criminal indictment. He was indicted on allegations of mishandling sensitive files and retaining classified documents illegally.
In a courtroom on Tuesday, Todd Blanche, Trump’s attorney, entered a plea of not guilty to all counts. His co-defendant, Walt Nauta, a close associate, was also charged in the case with six criminal counts.
Trump still commands widespread support among Republican voters, as indicated by a poll conducted by the BBC’s US partner CBS. Approximately 76% of Republican primary voters stated that they were more concerned about the indictment being politically motivated than the documents posing a national security risk.
Although he may face a considerable prison sentence if found guilty, he has reiterated his plan to continue his presidential campaign. It was his second courtroom appearance in less than three months. If convicted, he may face significant jail time.
Trump’s legal proceedings have not damaged his reputation among Republican voters, as previously indicated by a poll conducted by the BBC’s US partner CBS. He was the first US president to face a federal criminal indictment and appeared in court on Tuesday.
He was charged with allegations of retaining classified documents illegally and obstructing government efforts to retrieve them. Todd Blanche, his attorney, pleaded not guilty on his client’s behalf. His former aide, Walt Nauta, was also charged in the case with six criminal counts.
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