Trump pleads not guilty at federal arraignment in Florida

Donald Trump’s supporters erupted in cheers when the former United States president waved at them through the tinted window of his car after leaving a federal court in Miami, Florida.

Trump pleaded not guilty to 37 charges of mishandling classified information on Tuesday – an indictment that made him the first former US president to be federally prosecuted.

Enthused supporters gathered around the court to protest the charges, echoing Trump’s claim that the case is a political hit-job designed to derail his 2024 campaign for a second term as president. Many also chased Trump’s motorcade as he left, hoping to get another glimpse of the Republican politician.

Last week, prosecutors made public the indictment against Trump, alleging that he willfully took and retained secret government files, including national defence-related documents, in violation of the Espionage Act.

The indictment also accused Trump of keeping the classified files in an unsecured location, including a bathroom at his Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida. In addition, prosecutors said that he showed the documents to unauthorised people at private meetings.

(Aljazeera)