Small Group Of Trump Supporters Gather Outside Miami Federal Courthouse During Arraignment

Donald Trump supporters congregated outside the Miami federal courthouse on Tuesday for the former president’s arraignment. Trump is the first former president to ever face criminal charges, marking this an important moment in the nation’s history.

Trump was indicted on 37 counts on Thursday for mishandling classified documents, conspiracy to obstruct justice and willful retention of the documents.

He arrived at the Miami courthouse on Tuesday around 1:50 p.m., where he was arrested and booked. He pleaded not guilty on all counts and had returned back to his private golf club in New Jersey by nightfall.

On Monday, Miami police officials noted that they were prepared for masses of people to gather outside the courthouse and along the city’s streets. The crowd, however, was much smaller and more controlled than they expected.

There were at least several-hundred people present outside the arraignment, and a light atmosphere was mostly maintained throughout the entire day. Vendors were selling Trump merchandise that included masks of his face and “not guilty” shirts.

The crowd was mostly full of Trump supporters, but there were a few opponents present as well. At one point during the day, a few people began shouting “No one is above the law,” to which Trump supporters yelled back “Except Trump!” There was little contact between the groups otherwise, making for a surprisingly calm day for Miami police.

A number of well-known Republican officials and activists had been urging Trump supporters to rally outside of the courthouse during the arraignment in support of the former president.

“We are loyal to President Donald Trump and we are going to stand by him even if we have to pass the ballot for him on Election day if he’s sitting in a jail cell in handcuffs,” said activist Laura Loomer on Tuesday.

Following the arraignment, Trump visited the Versailles restaurant in Miami’s Little Havana neighborhood. The site is a destination for politicians passing through the city, and a small crowd of supporters met the former president outside the restaurant.

Trump returned to New Jersey on Tuesday night, where he spoke to the media and once again declared himself not guilty.

Article by Ava Lombardi