Former President Trump remained silent as he appeared in federal court in Miami as his lawyer asserted his innocence in the classified documents case.
Former President Donald Trump arrived at the federal courtroom in Miami, Florida at around 2:45 p.m. on June 13 (1:45 a.m. on June 14, Hanoi time), 15 minutes earlier than scheduled. He wore a blue suit and red tie, sitting next to his assistant Walt Nauta, who was indicted with him in the classified documents case.
Mr Trump waited for about 10 minutes before federal judge Jonathan Goodman appeared. During the subsequent impeachment hearing, the former US president frowned, sat back and said nothing for 47 minutes.
Todd Blanche, one of Mr. Trump's two lawyers, representing his client, asserted his innocence against charges related to the investigation into the former president illegally keeping classified documents at his private residence.
Mr Trump was then allowed to leave the courthouse without any travel restrictions or bail. Judge Goodman ordered him not to contact potential witnesses in the case. Mr Trump’s motorcade left the courthouse at 3:55 p.m., with supporters in attendance chanting “we love you Mr Trump.”
Nauta, meanwhile, did not enter a defense because he did not have a lawyer to represent him. He was also allowed to leave under the same conditions as Mr. Trump and is scheduled to appear in court again on June 27.
Mr. Donald Trump (center) with two lawyers Chris Kise and Todd Blanche in a sketch of the impeachment hearing at the federal court in Miami, Florida on June 13. Photo: Reuters
The former US president's motorcade then stopped at Versailles, a Cuban restaurant in Miami. He told supporters that the US was "rigged", "corrupt" and "decayed". "We have a government that is out of control," he said.
Mr. Trump returned to his golf club in New Jersey on a private plane and is scheduled to speak to supporters at 8:15 p.m. on June 13 (7:15 a.m. on June 14, Hanoi time).
On June 9, the US Department of Justice released a 49-page indictment, including 37 charges related to the investigation into Mr. Trump's illegal retention of classified documents at his private residence. With this accusation, Mr. Trump became the first former US president to be prosecuted at the federal level.
If convicted under the Espionage Act, the former president faces a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison. Republicans see this as a move to hinder the former president's bid for the White House in 2024.
Legal experts say the evidence in the case is strong, while special prosecutor Jack Smith, who is leading the investigation, has said Mr Trump will get a “speedy” trial. However, the trial could be delayed for more than a year due to the complexity of the classified material. During this time, Mr Trump is allowed to campaign and could be inaugurated if he wins.
Former President Donald Trump speaks at a Republican event in Columbus, Georgia on June 10. Photo: AFP
This is the second time Mr. Trump has appeared in court this year. Mr. Trump became the first former US president to be indicted in late March, related to the accusation of falsifying business records to pay money to suppress unfavorable information during the 2016 presidential election. When he appeared in a New York court in early April, he asserted his "innocence" and denied all charges. The New York judge set the case for trial in March 2024.
Donald Trump is also facing investigations into his role in the Capitol riots in January 2021 and his efforts to overturn the presidential election results in Georgia.
Despite the legal scandals, Mr. Trump is still the leading Republican presidential candidate. A Reuters/Ipsos poll released on June 12 showed that 43% of self-identified Republicans said they still considered Mr. Trump their favorite candidate, nearly double the 22% who said they favored Florida Governor Ron DeSantis.
Republican presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy said outside a federal court in Miami that he would pardon Mr Trump if elected.
2024 US presidential candidates of the Republican and Democratic parties. Graphics: WP
Nhu Tam (According to ABC News, Reuters )
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