2023-06-13 23:32:00
He didn’t hesitate. Former President Donald Trump, sued for his negligent handling of state secrets after leaving the White House, pleaded not guilty on Tuesday charges against him during his historic appearance in federal court in Miami. “We undoubtedly plead not guilty”, declared his lawyer Todd Blanche during the hearing, noted an AFP journalist.
After leaving the federal court in Miami, where some supporters had come to support him, Donald Trump made a surprise stop at a restaurant in town and went to meet them. The latter took the opportunity to wish him a happy birthday, the former president celebrating his 77th birthday this Wednesday.
This choice to plead not guilty opens the way to a potentially very damaging trial for his campaign for the American presidential election of 2024. The 76-year-old Republican is accused of having endangered the security of the United States by keeping confidential documents, including military plans or information on nuclear weapons, in a bathroom or storage room of his luxury residence Mar-a-Lago, Florida.
He denounces “a set up”
He is also accused of having refused to return these documents despite court injunctions, which led to him being charged with “illegal retention of information relating to national security”, but also “obstructing justice” and ” false testimony”.
Since his indictment, the Republican denounces “a set up” orchestrated to exclude him from the competition against Democratic President Joe Biden, also in the running for a second term. At the same time, his campaign team multiplies emails to his supporters to encourage them to contribute financially to his defense.
Donald Trump has made an appointment with his followers in New Jersey for a speech. It should take place around 2 a.m. French time.
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