Donald Trump’s spokesperson calls charges against former president politically motivated’
Donald Trump pleaded not guilty at his arraignment in a Miami federal courthouse on 37 charges over his handling of classified national security documents after leaving the White House. He is now the first current or former US president to ever face federal criminal charges.
Mr Trump sat stonefaced in court for the arraignment with his arms crossed as the plea was entered by his lawyer Todd Blanche. Sitting with him was codefendant Walt Nauta.
Miami officials had braced for protests outside the courthouse but much of the Maga army of supporters failed to show up as expected. There were still some confrontations and one anti-Trump protester jumped in front of the former president’s motorcade as he left court.
After the hearing Mr Trump and Mr Nauta stopped at a famous family-owned Cuban restaurant in Little Havana where supporters sang ‘Happy Birthday’ to him. He turns 77 tomorrow.
The former president is currently en route to his summer home at his golf course in Bedminster, New Jersey where he is holding a fundraising rally and will make his first public remarks after a historic day in court.
Key Points
Ivanka Trump stays silent on father’s federal arraignment
Five days after a grand jury returned an indictment against Donald Trump, his daughter and former Trump administration senior adviser is yet to make any public statements acknowledging the scandal.
Oliver O’Connell14 June 2023 00:00
Voices: This is Donald Trump’s second arraignment. Let’s not get used to this
Clemence Michallon writes:
Trump isn’t just being arraigned, he is being arraigned again. This should make these new proceedings more damning, not less, than the first, and yet, I worry that some might experience today with a sense of deja vu. And with that sense of deja vu might come a slight dulling of our experience as witnesses to that event. We might, already, be getting used to it — seeing the former president turn up in court, speculating as to whether he will pose for a booking photo, waiting to hear his plea.
Oliver O’Connell13 June 2023 23:45
Court sketches released
Former US President Trump appears on classified document charges after a federal indictment at Wilkie D. Ferguson Jr. United States Courthouse, alongside his aide Walt Nauta and attorneys Chris Kise and Todd Blanche in Miami, Florida, U.S., June 13, 2023
(REUTERS)
(REUTERS)
(REUTERS)
Oliver O’Connell13 June 2023 23:40
… Mr Trump found out about Tapper’s demands and responded on Truth Social.
Fake Tapper just demanded that his broadcast be closed down from Miami because there was far too much enthusiasm on the streets for “Trump.” The good news is, he was the only one to do so, perhaps a good explanation as to why CNN’s ratings are so low!
Oliver O’Connell13 June 2023 23:35
Disgusted Jake Tapper orders CNN to cut live coverage of Trump greeting fans post-arrest
The former president made a quick stop at the famed Cuban restaurant Versailles after he left the federal courtroom where he pleaded not guilty to mishandling classified secret documents.
Graeme Massie has the story.
Oliver O’Connell13 June 2023 23:30
Jack Smith stared at Trump throughout historic court appearance, report says
Special Counsel Jack Smith reportedly stared down former President Donald Trump throughout the entirety of Mr Trump’s arraignment in Miami on Tuesday.
Oliver O’Connell13 June 2023 23:25
Earlier: Chaos erupts as protester in prison garb jumps in front of Trump motorcade
Chaos erupted in Miami after a protester jumped in front of former President Donald Trump’s motorcade as he left the federal courthouse after pleading not guilty to the 37 counts against him in connection to his alleged mishandling of national defence information.
In an interview with The Independent before the incident took place, the protester identified himself as Domenic Santana.
Andrew Feinberg and Gustaf Kilander report.
Oliver O’Connell13 June 2023 23:07
First court sketches appear of historic arraignment
Oliver O’Connell13 June 2023 23:02
Watch: Biden raises a laugh with reference to turning in his notes
Oliver O’Connell13 June 2023 22:58
Trump has jubilant supporters pray over him and sing him ‘Happy Birthday’
Donald Trump was met with a circus scene on Tuesday in Miami as he was in Florida to face 37 federal charges over his alleged mishandling of classified documents.
In a packed restaurant in Little Havana, supporters alternatively prayed over the ex-president and sang him a happy birthday, in honour of his 77th birthday, which is on Wednesday.
Mr Trump also posed for a photo with MMA fighter Jorge Masvidal and declared, “Food for everyone!” inspiring cheers from his fans.
Oliver O’Connell13 June 2023 22:30
