Donald Trump pleaded not guilty to 37 charges of mishandling classified documents and lying to investigators as he became the first former US president to appear in federal criminal court.
In the packed Miami courtroom, Trump, who turns 77 on June 14, came face to face for the first time with Jack Smith, the special counsel who investigated him and compiled the charges that could send him to prison for decades.
The former president’s plea was announced to the court by his lawyer, Todd Blanche, as Trump sat next to him looking stern in his familiar red tie and blue suit. He had his arms folded throughout most of the brief but momentous hearing.
Here’s what else happened at Tuesday’s hearing, which ended after roughly 45 minutes:
- Magistrate Judge Jonathan Goodman ruled that Trump could not communicate with Nauta about the case. The judge also told prosecutors to make a list of potential witnesses that Trump can’t communicate with about the case – except through counsel.
- The judge did not, however, place any travel restrictions on either defendant.
- The Justice Department recommended that both Trump and Nauta be released with no financial or special conditions. Prosecutor David Harbach said that “the government does not view either defendant as a flight risk.”
- Goodman began the hearing thanking “the entire law enforcement community” for their work on Tuesday.
- Before the arraignment hearing, deputy marshals booked the former president and took electronic copies of his fingerprints. They did not take a mugshot of Trump since he is easily recognizable. The booking process took about 10 minutes.
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