MAG-SHOT
Donald Trump pleads not guilty as he appears in court for first time on charges of mishandling classified documents
FORMER president Donald Trump has pleaded not guilty as he is arraigned on charges of mishandling classified United States documents.
On Thursday, Trump, 76, was indicted on seven charges with 37 counts connected to the discovery of documents he allegedly brought to his Mar-a-Lago home in Florida without proper authorization.
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While on his way to the courthouse, Trump posted on Truth Social calling the indictment a "witch hunt."
Trump gave no reaction as his counsel entered the not guilty plea on his behalf in a Miami courtroom on Tuesday at 3pm.
The ex-president has declared his innocence in a on Truth Social, describing the latest legal move as "election interference at the highest level."
Trump has become the first former president charged with federal crimes.
He called the indictment a hoax on the social media platform.
"The corrupt Biden Administration has informed my attorneys that I have been indicted, seemingly over the Boxes Hoax," Trump said.
He went on: "I never thought it possible that such a thing could happen to a former President of the United States."
A spokesperson for Trump, Alina Habba, bashed federal prosecutors outside the courthouse on Tuesday.
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"Today is not about President Donald J. Trump, who is defiant," she said.
"It is about the destruction of the long-standing American principles that have set this country apart for so long."
Trump supporters gathered outside the courthouse in Miami, Florida, standing with the former president.
The former president was charged with 31 counts of willful retention of classified documents as well as the following:
- 1 count of conspiracy to obstruct justice
- 1 count of withholding a document or record
- 1 count of corruptly concealing a document or record
- 1 count of concealing a document in a federal investigation
- 1 count of scheme to conceal
- 1 count of making false statements and representations
Trump's valet, Walt Nauta, also faces six charges with one count each:
- 1 count of conspiracy to obstruct justice
- 1 count of withholding a document or record
- 1 count of corruptly concealing a document or record
- 1 count of concealing a document in a federal investigation
- 1 count of scheme to conceal
- 1 count of making false statements and representations
Trump did not get his mug shot taken, however, Nauta did as part of his booking process, according to .
The indictment comes after Trump announced he's running for president again in 2024 - meaning he'll be facing off against DeSantis.
Trump was filmed leaving court just before 4pm EST.
As his convoy pulled away, a protester wearing a prison uniform was tackled as he approached the car.
The protester, carrying a sign reading "Lock him up", was pulled away by cops after some of Trump's supporters reportedly tried to "rough him up," according to Sky News correspondent John Sparks.
TRUMP FACES PRISON TIME
If Trump was convicted of all counts and punished with maximum penalties, he could be sentenced to 100 years behind bars, reports.
Trump has been charged with conspiracy to obstruct justice and could face a maximum of 20 years in prison.
He has also been charged with concealing a document in a federal probe, which is punishable by a maximum 20-year sentence.
If Trump is convicted of withholding a document or record, he could face a 20-year prison sentence.
Trump is accused of corruptly concealing a document or record and could be sentenced to 20 years behind bars if convicted.
The former president has also been charged with the wilful retention of national defense information, which could see him hit with a 10-year sentence.
The charges also include schemes to conceal false statements and representations.
Both charges face a maximum sentence of five years in prison if convicted.
Meanwhile, the Fulton County Sheriff District Attorney, Fani Willis said on Monday she would announce this summer whether or not Trump would face charges in the state.
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She asked local law enforcement to be ready for "heightened security and preparedness" as she believes her announcement "may provoke a significant public reaction."
The U.S. Sun has reached out to Willis and the sheriff's office for information on the next steps in this case.
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