Trump surrenders to face charges leveled against him

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Agencies
13 Jun 2023 23:25

Tens of Trump supporters gathered nearby the court wearing "Make America Great Again"; Equivocally Police on horseback and bikes were mobilized for crowd control.

Former President Donald Trump sits at the defense table with his legal team in a Manhattan court, Tuesday, April 4, 2023, in New York. (AP)

Former US president Donald Trump surrendered to face federal charges accusing him of mishandling confidential files. He had reportedly gone to a courthouse in Miami where security was tight.

Tens of Trump supporters gathered nearby the court wearing "Make America Great Again," equivocally Police on horseback and bikes were mobilized for crowd control.

"One of the saddest days in the history of our country. We are a nation in decline," Trump posted on his Truth Social: describing the prosecutor as a "lunatic" and a "thug," describing the charges leveled against him as a "witch hunt."

In an interview with radio host Howie Carr, Trump said he would plead not guilty without making any statements after the hearing. "I'll say not guilty. I did nothing wrong. Presidential Records Act, it's not even a criminal event. There is no criminality here. It's ridiculous."

Recently, Trump was accused of committing 37 felony offenses that include conspiracy to obstruct justice and deliberate retention of national security material.

He allegedly withheld a document during a federal investigation, as he was also charged with one count of conspiracy to obstruct justice, 31 counts of intentional retention of national security information, two distinct counts of making false statements, and other connected offenses. According to the indictment, he could get up to 20 years in jail for several crimes.

Trump has attacked prosecutors for not pursuing Joe Biden, the current US President, for his alleged improper handling of secret documents in the same manner. Biden has denied the claims of misconduct.

He was already the first former or sitting president to be charged with a crime, as he was charged over election-eve hush money payments to an adult star who said she had an affair with him.

Despite facing federal criminal charges, former President Donald Trump maintains a significant advantage in the race for the Republican presidential nomination in the upcoming 2024 presidential election, a recent survey conducted by Reuters and Ipsos depicts.

According to the poll, 43% of Republicans who participated identified Trump as their preferred candidate in the party's primaries, while Florida Governor Ron DeSantis received 22% support, making him the closest contender.

Furthermore, the survey revealed that 81% of Republicans in the United States view the charges against Trump as being politically motivated, suggesting a strong partisan divide on the issue.