Donald Trump appears in court, denies allegations of mishandling sensitive files

 

Donald Trump appears in court, denies allegations of mishandling sensitive files

Former US President Donald Trump has pleaded not guilty in a federal court in Miami, Florida, in a historic trial involving the mishandling of sensitive files.

Donald Trump is the first US president, current or former, to be indicted on federal criminal charges.

In the courtroom, Trump's lawyer entered a plea of not guilty to 37 counts of illegally possessing classified documents and obstructing the government's efforts to retrieve them.

"We definitely enter a plea of not guilty," the attorney, Todd Blanch, told the judge.

Magistrate Judge Jonathan Goodman has ordered former President Donald Trump and his co-defendant Walt Nauta not to discuss the facts of the case with each other.

The judge said he recognized the two had worked together, but any discussion about the case must be through their lawyers.

During the hearing, Donald Trump denied criminal charges that he kept classified documents after leaving the White House. He is accused of storing US government secrets in the bathroom, toilet, ballroom, and bedroom of his residence.

Trump, who is campaigning to win back the White House, says the indictment is "election interference."

Special Counsel Jack Smith, who is the lead investigator, says he wants a speedy trial and that Trump is innocent until proven guilty.

The former president appeared embarrassed in court wearing a dark suit and a red tie on his arms.

Trump's co-defendant, Walt Nauta, also pleaded not guilty.

According to CNN, the former president, 76, was allowed to leave the court without bond.

Donald Trump will not be mugged at the arraignment, but will likely be fingerprinted and given a DNA sample after the hearing.

This is Donald Trump's second court appearance this year, but Tuesday's case is more serious.

A small crowd of Trump supporters and counter-protesters gathered outside the Wilkie D. Ferguson Jr. courthouse in downtown Miami.

Former US President Donald Trump, 76, was brought from the Trump National Doral Resort where he spent the night. After reaching the court complex, the procession of vehicles entered the underground garage.

He and a close associate, Walt Nauta, were indicted on six criminal charges related to the alleged misuse of national security documents.

During the court appearance, several messages were posted on Donald Trump's account on the social media platform Truth Social, including one in all capital letters: 'One of the saddest days in our country's history. We are a declining nation.

A judge earlier denied a request by news organizations to allow access to photos and video from inside the court.

The Republican former president is likely to continue meeting with other Florida attorneys this week after two of his attorneys resigned last week.

Donald Trump, who has repeatedly denied wrongdoing, is expected to return to his golf resort in Bedminster, New Jersey, where he will make remarks to the media.

What is an indictment?

A grand jury has voted to indict Donald Trump. It means an indictment, a formal written charge against a person by prosecutors who they believe has committed a crime.

The indictment contains basic information about the charges and, in Trump's case, includes serious charges.

These are offenses punishable by imprisonment of one year or more.

Unlike the charges brought by prosecutors, the indictment is the result of a secret vote by a Manhattan grand jury in New York City.

A grand jury is a group of citizens who hears testimony and evidence from witnesses and decides whether there is enough evidence to indict a person.

Can Trump run for president in 2024?

Yes, of course, they can contest. Conviction or indictment will not prevent Trump from running for president. According to the US Constitution, no criminal record is included in the criteria set for eligibility to become president.

Officials who have been impeached and found guilty of high crimes and misconduct can be barred from future office, but the US Senate acquitted Trump in both of his impeachment trials.

The BBC's North America Correspondent Anthony Zurcher says, "US law does not prevent any candidate from campaigning or running for president on the basis that he has been convicted of a crime or even if he is in prison."