Crowds Gather In Miami Ahead Of Trump Arraignment In Classified Docs Case

Former President Donald Trump is expected to be arraigned this afternoon at the federal courthouse in Miami, where he’s indicated that he will plead not guilty to 37 counts in connection with claims that he mishandled classified documents.

The indictment alleges that the former president made false statements, willfully retained national defense information and conspired to obstruct justice – offenses which carry a maximum of 400 years in prison if convicted on all charges.

Presiding over Trump’s arraignment will be US Magistrate Judge John Goodman, however the case itself will be overseen by US District Judge Aileen Cannon, a Trump appointee.

Here’s the scene already in front of the federal courthouse where Trump will be arraigned this afternoon. Strangely, the sound of helicopters, hovering overhead, is mingled with the sound of roosters crowing. pic.twitter.com/QToqt3NUc8

— Janice Hisle Epoch Times (@janicehisle) June 13, 2023

Meanwhile in a Monday night court order, a federal judge ruled that the media won’t be allowed to have any electronic devices in the courthouse during today’s proceedings.

Trump is expected to travel back to his Bedminster, New Jersey golf club afterwards, where he’ll deliver remarks this evening.

Black Trump supporters rally

Outside the Miami Courthouse, a group of around two dozen “Blacks for Trump” supporters have gathered to rail against the indictment, NBC News reports.

The “Blacks for Trump” crew is here pic.twitter.com/znG5MEwl8S

— Andrew Feinberg (@AndrewFeinberg) June 13, 2023

One member, Maurice Symonette, who calls himself “Michael the Black Man,” slammed the indictment “fake” and “filled with fluff.” Symonette is a staple at Trump rallies and is a former member of the Nation of Yahweh, a Black separatist cult, and one of 16 members charged with murder and attempted murder more than two decades ago.

This is the largest demonstration so far, where for more than an hour a lone supporter dressed in royal regalia waved a Trump-DeSantis sign. -NBC News

“Blacks for Trump” have arrived at the courthouse pic.twitter.com/FVMkK4HaG0

— Luke Broadwater☀️ (@lukebroadwater) June 13, 2023

On Monday, Miami Police Chief Manny Morales said that the city is bracing for potentially thousands of protesters at the courthouse, and has been coordinating with state and federal partners “to ensure that we maintain not only peace and order,” but also to allow demonstrators “to express themselves and their First Amendment rights.”