Trump indictment updates: Trump attacks special counsel after court

Trump's attorney entered a plea of not guilty.

Former President Donald Trump made his first appearance Tuesday in a federal courtroom in Miami after he was indicted in an investigation into his handling of classified documents.

Trump, who has repeatedly denied any allegations of impropriety, entered a not guilty plea through his attorneys and did not speak at all during the court appearance.

Trump has been charged with 37 counts: 31 counts of willful retention of national defense information; one count of conspiracy to obstruct justice; one count of withholding a document or record; one count of corruptly concealing a document or record; one count of concealing a document in a federal investigation; one count of scheme to conceal; and one count of false statements and representations.


Pence says he can’t defend what is alleged against Trump

Former Vice President Mike Pence said in an interview that he could not defend what was alleged against the former president.

After reading the indictment, Pence called the allegations charging former President Donald Trump "very serious" in an audio interview Tuesday with the Wall Street Journal.

"As the father and father-in-law of two men that currently serve in the Armed Forces of the United States, I will never diminish concerns over the handling of classified materials," Pence said. "I can't defend what has been alleged here, but the president is entitled to his day in court."


Trump attacks special counsel in speech

Trump also specifically took aim at special prosecutor Jack Smith and the Department of Justice– the government agency he once led as president.

Trump also said during his speech that they made the right move in not bringing charges against former Vice President Mike Pence for his handling of classified documents.

"He totally exonerated Mike Pence. I'm happy about that. Mike did nothing wrong, but he happened to have classified documents in his house," Trump told his supporters before name-calling Smith who he said does "political hit jobs."

"I will tell you, I'm here. And I love you all. And we can take them," he added.

-ABC News' Lalee Ibssa


Trump claims he had right to documents

Former President Trump wasted no time slamming the indictment against him over his alleged mishandling of classified documents but remained as defiant as ever during his first official remarks since he was arraigned in federal court.

"Today we witnessed the most evil and heinous abuse of power in the history of our country. Very sad thing to watch," Trump said in a speech Tuesday evening at his Bedminster club.

"It's a political persecution like something straight out of a fascist or communist nation," he added.

Trump once again falsely claimed that he was able to keep classified documents under the Presidential records act.

"I had every right to have these documents," Trump said.

-ABC News' Lalee Ibssa



Trump lands in New Jersey

Former President Donald Trump's plane landed in Newark, New Jersey.

He will depart to his Bedminster club to greet a host of supporters, GOP donors and other guests.

-ABC News' Darren Reynolds


Chris Christie calls Trump's conduct 'inexcusable,' 'self-centered'

Former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie took aim at former President Donald Trump during a CNN Republican Presidential Town Hall Monday night, calling Trump's conduct "inexcusable" for someone who wants to occupy the Oval Office.

"He has shown himself, and I think most particularly in his post-presidency, to be completely self-centered, completely self-consumed, and doesn't give a damn about the American people, in my view, if what the American people want is in conflict with what Donald Trump thinks is best for him," Christie said.

"I mean, put aside taking the documents in the first place," Christie said. "But then when you start getting asked … nicely with a letter from the archivist saying, 'Could you please give it back,' and you ignore it, ignore it, ignore it. Then they come with a grand jury subpoena, and then, according to the indictment, you tell your lawyers to tell them we don't have anything even though you have dozens and dozens of boxes of material. That's obstruction of justice, if it's true."

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