Former US President Donald Trump has arrived at the courthouse in Miami, where he will be arraigned in the case of the secret government documents found in his private property. Trump was nabbed and, according to CNN, his fingerprints were also taken. It is the first time that a former president has been charged at the federal level.
Trump’s motorcycle caravan was met at the courthouse by supporters of the ex-president. They disagree with his arrest. A number of Trump opponents have also gathered in the area.
The hearing in Miami will take place behind closed doors. The 76-year-old billionaire, who dreams of returning as president after the 2024 elections, is due to appear in court at 3 p.m. local time (9 p.m. Belgian time), which will inform him of the 37 charges against him.
Trump took dozens of boxes of files, including classified files containing sensitive information, to Florida when he left Washington.
The indictment that was made public on Friday shows that he is charged with, among other things, “withholding information about national security” and “obstruction of justice”. According to the document, he endangered US national security by carrying nuclear secrets.
Trump was arrested and brought before a judge. He pleaded not guilty to the charges. Since prosecutors are not concerned that Trump will flee while awaiting trial, he was allowed by the judge to remain at large.
LOOK. Donald Trump shows himself waving at the courthouse in Miami
“Witch Hunt”
He himself describes his persecution as a politically motivated witch hunt by his political opponents to prevent him from becoming president again. Before arriving at court, he said on his social media platform Truth Social that it is “the saddest day in the history of our country”.
Trump’s co-defendant, Walt Nauta, traveled with the former president to the courthouse in a separate vehicle. Nauta also has to appear in court today.
LOOK. Trump’s motorcycle caravan was met at the courthouse by supporters of the ex-president
‘Top-secret’ documents found next to Trump’s toilet: what they contain, what the ex-president risks and 9 other questions (+)
IN PICTURE. In ballroom and even in shower: this is where Trump kept boxes full of documents he took, including top secret nuclear secrets
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