Trump arraigned, pleads not guilty to 37 felony counts

Former President Donald Trump answered to charges he mishandled classified documents at an arraignment Tuesday afternoon at a federal courthouse in Miami. 

Trump entered a not guilty plea through his attorney Todd Blanche, and had his arms folded during the hearing. 

Jack Smith, the special counsel appointed by Attorney General Merrick Garland to handle Trump-related investigations, sat in the front row of the Miami courtroom.

About an hour before the arraignment, officials booked Trump and co-defendant Walt Nauta. Trump was ordered by Judge Jonathan Goodman not to speak to Nauta about the case. 

Nauta serves as a personal assistant to Trump.

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No bond restrictions were placed on Trump, nor was a mugshot taken of the former president. Officials said Trump is not considered a flight risk, and is free to travel as he awaits trial.

About 60 people were in the courtroom for the hearing, including about 40 reporters and over a dozen members of the Secret Service.

Experienced Florida attorney to represent Trump at arraignment

Experienced Florida attorney to represent Trump at arraignment

A former attorney for Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis will be among those representing former President Donald Trump on Tuesday.

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Last week, Trump became the first former president to be indicted by a federal grand jury. He faces 37 felony counts for allegedly mishandling classified documents, among other charges. Trump has not denied having the documents but claims he is being unfairly singled out. Mike Pence and Joe Biden both found they were in possession of classified documents from their respective vice presidential tenures, but both have maintained they have cooperated with authorities. 

A U.S. Marshals source told Scripps News earlier Tuesday that Trump would be digitally fingerprinted and his photo would be uploaded into a court system. 

After the hearing, Trump is expected to address supporters Tuesday evening from his New Jersey resort as he continues campaigning for the Republican Party's 2024 presidential nomination. 

An actual trial likely would not begin for some time, possibly in the heat of the 2024 election. 

Reporting from Scripps News reporter Kellan Howell was used in this report.