Miami: Former President Donald Trump is set to face a judge in a historic court appearance on Tuesday. Trump is facing 37 felony counts of willfully retaining classified information, which prosecutors say could have jeopardized national security.
The case is the first time a former president has been charged with a federal crime. Trump has denied any wrongdoing and has accused the Justice Department of a political witch hunt. The hearing is scheduled for 3 p.m. ET at the Wilkie D. Ferguson, Jr. U.S. Courthouse in Miami. Trump is expected to plead not guilty.
The charges against Trump stem from an investigation by special counsel Jack Smith, who was appointed by Attorney General Merrick Garland to look into allegations that Trump mishandled classified documents after leaving office.
The investigation found that Trump took classified documents from the White House to his Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida. Trump also allegedly displayed some of the documents to visitors at Mar-a-Lago.
Prosecutors say that Trump’s actions could have jeopardized national security if the documents had been exposed. The case against Trump is politically sensitive. Trump is a leading contender for the Republican nomination for president in 2024. If he is convicted, it could damage his chances of winning the nomination.
The hearing on Tuesday is expected to be a closely watched event. It will be the first time that Trump has appeared in court since leaving office. The outcome of the case could have far-reaching implications for the future of American democracy. If Trump is convicted, it could set a precedent for holding future presidents accountable for their actions.