According to Reuters, former US President Donald Trump entered a not guilty plea on Tuesday to federal criminal charges related to the case involving the sensitive papers. Trump has been charged with illegally storing materials related to national security after leaving office. As he runs for president in November 2024, a legal struggle that started with his plea in a federal court in Miami is likely to continue in the following months.
Trump’s plea, which was made in front of U.S. Magistrate Judge Jonathan Goodman in a federal court in Miami, sets up a legal battle that will probably take place in the coming months as he runs for reelection in November 2024. According to experts, it can take a year or longer before a trial is held.
Trump reportedly remained silent for the whole 47-minute hearing, according to Reuters.
As his motorcade left the courthouse, his supporters chanted “We love Trump.” After entering a not guilty plea to state charges in New York relating to a hush-money payment to a porn star in April of this year, Trump is now facing further legal issues. According to Reuters, he is the first former president to be accused of federal offences.
Trump has consistently claimed his innocence while charging that the administration of Democratic President Joe Biden is out to get him. On Tuesday, he attacked Special Counsel Jack Smith, who is in charge of the prosecution, and referred to him as a “Trump hater” on social media.
According to Reuters, after the hearing, Trump addressed his supporters at a Cuban restaurant and said that the United States was “rigged,” “corrupt” and “in decline.”