TRUMP PLEADS NOT GUILTY TO CHARGES OVER MAR-A-LAGO DOCUMENTS IN MIAMI COURT

On Tuesday, former US president Donald Trump appeared in court in Miami to enter a not guilty plea to 37 federal charges that he allegedly hoarded documents containing government secrets.



Days after being charged with federal crimes, Trump made an appearance before a judge.



The documents, which were kept at Trump's Mar-a-Lago estate and related to nuclear programs and other highly classified military information, are said to have been stored there thanks to a scheme and deception, according to the authorities.



As he seeks the presidency once more in 2024, Trump is dealing with a second criminal case.



He is charged in a different case with falsifying business records pertaining to payments made in hush money during the 2016 campaign in a New York state court.



Trump has denied any wrongdoing and claimed that his political rivals are unfairly picking on him because they want to harm his campaign.



Trump's motorcade pulled up to the courthouse just before he was supposed to appear before a magistrate judge.



In addition to his son Eric, he had travelled to Miami. Trump was seen in Florida's Doral resort walking toward a line of cars with his son by his side as someone shouted, "Let's go Trump!" CNN aired the video.



Following a halt, Trump waved to his supporters.

 

Before getting in a car, Eric Trump appeared to give his father a pat on the back.



Returning to New Jersey after his court appearance, Trump is anticipated to hold a press conference to address the allegations in the open.



His appearance in court marks the beginning of a legal process that will develop during the height of the 2024 presidential campaign and have a significant impact on both his political future and his own personal liberty.



He was officially booked once he got there, but no mug shot was anticipated.



Trump insisted that he has committed no wrongdoing and that he is being targeted for political reasons.



The seriousness of the situation was evident as he answered to 37 felony counts accusing him of willfully holding onto classified documents that, according to the prosecution, could have endangered national security if they were made public, then attempting to hide them from the investigators who were demanding their return.



Trump, 76, who currently occupies the top spot in the early stages of the Republican primary for president in 2024, faces a number of political repercussions from the case.



However, given the potential for a lengthy prison term, it also has a significant legal impact.



Even for a defendant whose post-presidential life has been dominated by investigations, the documents probe has stood out for both the apparent volume of evidence gathered by prosecutors and the seriousness of the allegations.



It is also a turning point for the Justice Department, which had never before filed charges against a former president before last week.



We have one set of laws in this country, and they apply to everyone, declared special counsel Jack Smith on Friday.

Jack Smith was appointed by President Joe Biden as attorney general, and he attempted to shield the department from political criticism by giving him control of the case last year.

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The arraignment, though largely procedural in nature, is the latest in an unprecedented public reckoning this year for Trump.

 

He is accused in New York of receiving hush money during his 2016 campaign and is also the subject of ongoing investigations into efforts to rig the 2020 election in Atlanta and Washington.



In order to project confidence in the face of legal risk, he has attacked Smith as a "Trump hater," vowed to continue the campaign, and scheduled a speech and fundraiser for Tuesday night at his Bedminster, New Jersey, golf club.



In addition, there may be protests as the court appearance is taking place.



Some prominent supporters have expressed support using abrasive language.



To participate in a planned protest at the court, Mr. Trump has personally invited supporters to do so.