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Former US President Donald Trump accused the incumbent US President of being behind the charges against him. He also claims to have had every right to keep these documents in his home. His attorney had previously pleaded “not guilty” in court.
Former US President Donald Trump has returned to his golf club in New Jersey after the court date for the indictment in the affair of secret government documents. There he gave a speech to fans and media professionals, in which he again described himself as a victim of abuse of power.
Legend:
In New Jersey, Donald Trump spoke to supporters about the charges.
AP Photo/Andrew Harnik
Trump accuses the incumbent President of being behind his arrest. He had every right to have those documents in his home, he said. Several hundred Trump fans had already protested against the charges outside the Florida courthouse. Some critics of the ex-president were also there.
Trump is not allowed to speak to witnesses about the case
The former president had to appear there in person to present the allegations against him. As expected, he pleaded “not guilty”, as several US media reported from the courtroom. The meeting took place behind closed doors. It is the first time an indictment has been filed against a former president in federal court.
Because of the indictment, Trump will not be allowed to speak directly to witnesses about the case in the future. Prosecutors were reportedly instructed by the court to create a list of potential witnesses with whom Trump should not communicate about the case.
Legend:
The former US President’s car convoy moves through Miami to the courthouse.
Keystone/AP Photo, Chris O’Meara
The 76-year-old had previously been driven to the courthouse in a motorcade at noon from his luxurious resort Doral in the southern US state of Florida.
Trump supporters had already gathered in front of the Federal Court building in Miami – as well as some opponents of the ex-president. Above all, however, the media besieged the building, which was protected by a large contingent of police.
Legend:
Even those who want to see Trump behind bars demonstrate in front of the courthouse.
REUTERS/Marco Bello
“They’re trying to break Trump, that’s what I believe. They try everything to break it, »says a supporter of the former president. “No one is above the law, if they have done something illegal, you have to investigate it, the same conditions apply to everyone,” says an opponent who has gathered in front of the court.
There are clear facts that are on the table.
According to Claudio Riedi, a federal attorney in the southern district of Miami, the situation is clear: “It is clear that this is not about a political situation, but that these are facts that can be verified, with photos and quotes from Trump and his employees, in great detail, so that later it cannot be said that this is a witch hunt. There are clear facts that are on the table.”
Legend:
A Trump supporter makes his point of view clear on his tag.
Keystone / Rebecca Blackwell
The explosive details: In Mar-a-Lago, Trump kept boxes with classified information in the ballroom, in the bathroom and in a storage room, among other things. Documents about US nuclear capabilities and military vulnerabilities, or about potential military action, in rooms where public events were also held.
Trump has denied any wrongdoing, claiming he is being unfairly targeted by political opponents who seek to damage his campaign. In court, he pleaded “not guilty,” according to CNN and the Washington Post.
Legend:
Fan articles for this major event are also sold in Miami.
REUTERS/Marco Bello
Trump had announced in advance that he wanted to fly to New Jersey from Florida after the court hearing. He wants to perform in front of supporters at his golf club in Bedminster on Tuesday evening (02:15 a.m. CEST).