Donald Trump pleads not guilty to federal charges surrounding classified docs
MIAMI (FLV) – Tuesday, former President Donald Trump was processed by U.S. marshals at a Miami court for his arraignment, facing 38 federal charges in relation to alleged mishandling of classified documents.
Trump arrived at the courthouse at around 2 p.m. on Tuesday, joined by his lawyers.
He pled not guilty to all charges.
The case was brought by special counsel Jack Smith. The federal government alleged that Trump mishandled classified documents, which were brought to Mar-a-Lago, his residence in Florida. They also alleged he conspired to obstruct justice.
The charges are related to making false statements, conspiracy to obstruct, along with a charge related to the Espionage Act.
CBS News reported there would be no plea agreement and that the former president is adamant of his total innocence.
He will reportedly be represented by lawyers Todd Blanche and Chris Kise.
JUST IN: Former President Donald Trump arrives at courthouse in Miami for arraignment, facing federal charges for handling of classified documents pic.twitter.com/o32KUYjsWU
— Florida’s Voice (@FLVoiceNews) June 13, 2023
Trump’s indictment drew near universal condemnation from a variety of Republican lawmakers and conservative commentators, ranging from House Speaker Kevin McCarthy to Gov. Ron DeSantis.
“The weaponization of federal law enforcement represents a mortal threat to a free society. We have for years witnessed an uneven application of the law depending upon political affiliation,” DeSantis said. “Why so zealous in pursuing Trump yet so passive about Hillary or Hunter? The DeSantis administration will bring accountability to the DOJ, excise political bias and end weaponization once and for all.”
Sen. Rick Scott, R-Fla., denounced the case on Tuesday, noting that Cuban and other migrants in Miami “know a thing or two about dangerous government overreach.”
🚨 @ScottforFlorida speaks out against this political persecution. pic.twitter.com/OxsrJNEmkY
— MAGA War Room (@MAGAIncWarRoom) June 13, 2023
Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., also spoke out.
“The DOJ is seeking to jail FOR LIFE not just a former President but the leading opponent of the current President in the 2024 election,” he said. “The damage this is already inflicting on our country far outweighs the damage (if any) from what they allege in the indictment.”
The former president sounded the alarm of the indictment on TRUTH Social, slamming the “corrupt Biden administration” for the impending prosecution over classified documents, the subject of an FBI raid on Mar-a-Lago last year.
“I never thought it possible that such a thing could happen to a former President of the United States, who received far more votes than any sitting President in the History of our Country, and is currently leading, by far, all Candidates, both Democrat and Republican, in Polls of the 2024 Presidential Election,” Trump said. “I AM AN INNOCENT MAN!”
The former president then released a video, reiterating his innocence and slamming the latest investigation, spearheaded by an administration controlled by his opposing political party, as “the greatest witch hunt of all time.”
“I AM AN INNOCENT MAN. THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION IS TOTALLY CORRUPT,” he said. “THIS IS ELECTION INTERFERENCE & A CONTINUATION OF THE GREATEST WITCH HUNT OF ALL TIME. MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN!!!”
Trump’s legal troubles have continued to mount in recent months. In April, Trump was indicted on 34 felony counts of falsifying business records by Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg, a Democrat.
That prosecution also drew disapproval from DeSantis, the former president’s rival.
