Opinion: The potential chaos of Trump’s appearance at Republican National Convention.

Donald Trump Arrives at Miami Airport for Arraignment

Introduction

Former US President Donald Trump is facing 37 federal criminal charges after leaving the presidency. He arrived at Miami airport on June 12, 2023, for his arraignment the next day. This is his second arraignment this year, and he has pleaded not guilty to every charge. Many people are curious about what to expect on his first day in court.

What to Expect During the Arraignment

During the arraignment, Trump will be formally notified of the charges against him and enter a plea. The judge overseeing the arraignment may issue a bail and decide to detain a defendant in custody while awaiting trial. Trump is likely to plead not guilty, and his initial appearance is expected to be brief. Since federal courts do not allow cameras or recordings in the courtroom, the proceedings will not be televised.

The Judge Overseeing the Hearing

Magistrate Judge Jonathan Goodman is scheduled to be on duty at the federal courthouse in Miami when Trump appears. He will oversee the initial appearance, and the case will later be overseen by US District Judge Aileen Cannon, whom Trump appointed to the federal bench in 2020. At an earlier stage in the case, Cannon issued a series of rulings in favor of Trump, which prompted concerns that she might favor Trump.

Location of the Hearing

The case is being heard in Miami because Trump kept the classified documents at issue at his home in Mar-a-Lago. The special counsel, Jack Smith, chose to file charges in the southern district of Florida, the federal jurisdiction where Mar-a-Lago is located. Filing the case in Florida also brings its own risks. Most notably, a jury in Miami may be more conservative and Trump-friendly than a jury in Washington.

Trump’s Legal Team

It is not entirely clear who will make up Trump’s legal team. Two of his attorneys abruptly resigned last week after he was indicted. Trump appeared on Tuesday with Todd Blanche, a defense lawyer also representing him in the Manhattan case, and Boris Epshteyn, another lawyer and controversial top aide who has drawn attention from federal prosecutors himself.

Charges Against Trump

Trump is charged with 31 counts of unauthorized retention of national defense information, a violation of the Espionage Act. He also faces charges of conspiracy to obstruct justice, tampering with grand jury evidence, and concealing evidence in a federal investigation. These charges carry a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison. In addition, he faces charges of making a false statement, which carry a maximum sentence of five years in prison.

Conclusion

The arraignment is just the beginning of the legal process, and the case is likely to be lengthy and contentious. Trump’s combative nature might lead to more adjournments before the trial actually begins. The Department of Justice wants to try the case before the election, while Trump will presumably want to stall. The judge overseeing the trial will ultimately determine the trial date.