Former President Donald Trump arrived Monday afternoon in Miami, where he faces an initial court hearing over allegations he mishandled classified national security files.
The 2024 Republican president frontrunner flew to Florida from his golf club in Bedminster, New Jersey, to a resort he owns near Miami. He has denied wrongdoing.
Trump has said the hearing is scheduled for 2 p.m. Central time Tuesday.
Miami Mayor Francis Suarez said the city is taking the possibility of violence seriously from protesters opposed to Trump’s indictment.
“We have handled major protests and demonstrations before,” Suarez said during a Monday news conference. “We are going to be ready.”
Miami Police Chief Jorge Colina said many security agencies would be involved, from federal marshals, FBI, and Secret Service to Miami police and Florida state police.
“There’s a lot of hate groups in Florida,” Colina said Monday at the same press conference with Suarez. “You have people that are pro-Trump, supporters that are going to want to show up and show their support. You have detractors that are going to want to show up, so there’s a potential conflict there, and I’m sure they’ll put them in places where they can see each other but not touch each other.”
After appearing in court, Trump is expected to return to New Jersey. He is scheduled to make remarks at 7:15 p.m. CT.
On Sunday, Trump appeared on a radio show with Roger Stone, a former political adviser.
“This thing is a disgrace… This is a disgraceful indictment,” Trump said. “It shouldn’t happen. It was done for political reasons,” Trump told Stone.
Stone asked: “You may or may not be facing additional charges that I believe will be politically motivated. This demonstrates the Democrats are petrified about facing you in another election. So is there any circumstances under which you could see yourself dropping out of the 2024 presidential election?” Stone asked.
Trump responded: “No, none whatsoever.”
In comments Sunday on Fox News, former Attorney General Bill Barr said Trump was not a victim in the indictment.
“If even half of it is true, he is toast. I mean, it’s a very detailed indictment, and it’s very, very damning,” said Barr, who served under Trump but had a falling out with him over 2020 presidential election results.
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