Shortly
The historic achievement
The former US president has appeared in court in Miami following the historic indictment of Donald Trump over the handling of classified government documents. The current Republican presidential nominee was required to be present in Florida for the presentation of the charges against him.
As expected, Trump pleaded “not guilty”, various American media reported unanimously from the room. Accordingly, Trump’s attorney Todd Blanche spoke on behalf of his client. The meeting took place behind closed doors. It is the first time that a federal charge has been filed against a former president.
It is the first time that a federal charge has been filed against a former president. Several hundred supporters of the Republican gathered outside the courthouse on Tuesday to protest the charges. They cheered Trump on his arrival. There were also some critics of the ex-president.
Radical Trump supporters had previously taken on martial tones, fueling fears of potential violence surrounding Trump’s appearance in court. Initially, however, there were no incidents. Miami Police Chief Manny Morales had previously assured that security forces were well positioned and could ensure the situation did not escalate.
Trump was indicted in April in connection with hush money payments to a state-level porn star in New York – the first ever charge against an ex-president. The document affair was the first indictment against a former president in a federal court within weeks. Other cases against Trump are also under investigation. So far, the allegations related to the secret government documents carry the most legal weight.
The allegations against Trump
In August, the Federal Police’s FBI searched Trump’s private residence Mar-a-Lago in Florida and seized numerous classified documents from his tenure, some of them at the highest level of classification. Mar-a-Lago is a club with paying rooms and public events. Keeping confidential government documents in private rooms after Trump came to power could have made him liable to prosecution.
He is charged with conspiracy to obstruct investigations and illegally storing highly sensitive information. According to the indictment, these include details of the nuclear capabilities of the United States and other countries, military weaknesses in the defenses of the United States and its partners, and information about possible military action.
The explosive charge
The indictment charges Trump with seven categories of felony and more than 35 felonies. The details in the 49-page paper are explosive. For example, it says that Trump kept boxes of classified information in his bedroom, a bathroom, a shower, a ballroom and a storage room. Some of the boxes would have stood temporarily in a space where public events took place. A storage room was easily accessible through a public swimming pool.
In the indictment, the investigators describe how Trump spoke to other people about classified information or showed it to unauthorized third parties, including on the basis of audio recordings.
The court date
Trump arrived in Miami on Monday and spent the night at his luxurious Doral resort. He was then taken to the courthouse in a motorcade with a large security presence on Tuesday. The actual trial took place behind closed doors. Although some journalists and civilians were allowed into the building, there was a strict ban on electronic devices. The hearing was not broadcast and even photos were prohibited in the courtroom.
At these appointments, fingerprints are usually taken from suspects, classic police photos are taken and handcuffs are often put on. In New York, authorities had not given Trump handcuffs and a photo. That was also expected in Miami. Trump must leave court and Miami immediately after the appointment to fly from Florida to New Jersey. In his golf club in Bedminster he then wanted to perform for supporters on Wednesday on the German evening.
The security measures
Several Trump supporters from the Republican Party’s right wing made martial statements after the indictment was published, sparking fears that violence could break out. Member of Parliament Andy Biggs wrote on Twitter: “We have now entered a phase of war. Face to face.”
Arizona Republican Kari Lake said anyone trying to reach Trump would have to get past her and millions of armed Americans first. The city of Miami therefore disabled a large security contingent. Police Chief Morales said there were enough resources for a crowd of up to 50,000 protesters. “We take this event very seriously,” he said Monday. “We know things can take a turn for the worse, but that’s not Miami’s way.” Initially, the situation around the court remained calm.
The Trump fans
Trump supporters had already gathered for the Republican’s arrival in Miami for his Doral resort on Monday. Aileen, a woman in her 50s from Florida, said the charges against Trump were politically motivated. The Democrats are the millionaires’ party, Trump is the president of the hard-working, forgotten population. Such a sentence in front of the walls of a building with several golf courses and swimming pools sounds almost ironic, the luxury of which one can hardly imagine in the stuffy street.
Pete Crotty, a Trump fan who sold Trump merchandise for his red pickup truck decorated with flags, said Trump was only targeted because he was the leading Republican presidential candidate.
Trump put down this story. He dismisses the allegations against himself and sees the allegations as a politically motivated attempt to keep him from running for a second term. Trump speaks of “political contract killing” and “warfare” by legal means.
(sda/dpa)
Soource :Watson
I am Amelia James, a passionate journalist with a deep-rooted interest in current affairs. I have more than five years of experience in the media industry, working both as an author and editor for 24 Instant News. My main focus lies in international news, particularly regional conflicts and political issues around the world.
