LAST UPDATE | 13 Jun 2023
DONALD TRUMP HAS pleaded not guilty to dozens of felony charges of mishandling US government documents at a court in Florida.
The former US president arrived at the Miami courthouse at around 7pm Irish time to face 37 counts of unlawfully retaining classified documents and obstructing the government’s efforts to get them back.
Walt Nauta, a Trump aide who was seen on surveillance camera removing boxes at Mar-a-Lago, is also charged with withholding records, concealing documents, scheming to conceal facts from investigators and making false or misleading statements.
Trump has denied any wrongdoing, branding the charges against him a “hoax”, and encouraged supporters to join a planned protest at the Miami courthouse.
The appearance marked Trump’s second time since April facing a judge on criminal charges.
Good evening, Jane Moore here.
Former US president Donald Trump is on his way to a courthouse in Florida, where he will face charges of mishandling classified documents.
Stick with us for the next few hours as I’ll be bringing you the latest developments throughout the evening.
But first, let’s recap on what we know so far:
In the last ten minutes, Donald Trump arrived at the Wilkie D Ferguson Jr courthouse in Miami.
His motorcade was filmed arriving outside the court before driving into an underground garage.
Trump is now in federal custody.
The New York Times is reporting that the booking process for Trump and Walt Nauta, his aide who was seen on CCTV footage removing boxes at Mar-a-Lago, has been completed.
Meanwhile, supporters of the former US president have gathered outside the courthouse to show their support.
Some have Trump 2024 flags, supporting his bid for president next year.
A number of anti-Trump protesters have also gathered.
Alina Habba, an attorney and spokesperson for Donald Trump, has told Fox News that what is happening to him “should terrify all citizens of this country”.
Speaking outside the Miami courthouse, she said: “The decision to pursue charges against President Trump, while turning a blind eye to others, is emblematic of the corruption that we have here.
“We are at a turning point in our nation’s history,” she added.
Habba is not representing Trump in this case.
Earlier this afternoon, journalists queued outside the Wilkie D Ferguson Jr courthouse to be admitted to cover Trump’s arraignment.
Reporters were not permitted to bring mobile phones, laptops, cameras or other electronic devices inside the courtroom.
Donald Trump has now entered the courtroom for his arraignment.
He has entered a plea of not guilty to the 37 charges against him through one of his lawyers.
According to CNN, Special Counsel Jack Smith – who announced the historic federal indictment last week – is attending the hearing.
Trump’s attorney, Todd Blanche, told the magistrate judge: “We most certainly enter a plea of not guilty”.
ABC News journalist Olivia Rubin describes Trump’s demeanour in court here.
Former Pres. Trump had “a frown on his face” and looked "down at the floor for most of the hearing,” @OliviaRubinABC reports.
— ABC News Politics (@ABCPolitics) June 13, 2023
“His body language really told the story here of how the former president felt inside of that courtroom as he was arraigned.” https://t.co/mBBP7KWJg8 pic.twitter.com/gCP93hGqw5
According to the New York Times, Trump was allowed to leave the court with no travel conditions as prosecutors told Judge Jonathan Goodman that they did not believe he was a “flight risk”.
However, the judge said Trump should have no contact with witnesses – including Walt Nauta – about the facts of the case except through their counsel.
Nauta still works for Trump and arrived at the Miami courthouse with him earlier.
Donald Trump has now left the courthouse in Miami.
Supporters of the former US president cheered as his convoy began to depart the courthouse as the US secret service and motorcycle police escorted the motorcade.
He is reportedly heading to the airport where he is expected to fly to his golf course in Bedminster, New Jersey.
The former US president’s motorcade was momentarily prevented from leaving the Miami courthouse as one anti-Trump protester ran in front of it.
He was quickly dragged away by police, allowing the convoy to depart.
BREAKING: An anti-Trump demonstrator runs out in front of Donald Trump's motorcade as he leaves the Miami courthouse.
— Sky News (@SkyNews) June 13, 2023
Latest: https://t.co/rKgL5H3bha
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