Trump says he'll plead not guilty after federal indictment

Trump is set to appear in federal court in Miami on Tuesday.

Last Updated: June 12, 2023, 9:27 PM EDT

To read live updates from Tuesday's court appearance, click here.

Former President Donald Trump has been indicted on federal charges in an investigation into his handling of classified documents, according to an indictment unsealed on Friday.

The indictment comes after more than 100 documents with classified markings were found at Trump's Mar-a-Lago resort in August 2022.

Trump was 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.

The indictment of Trump, who has repeatedly denied any allegations of impropriety, is unprecedented for a former president.

Latest headlines:

Here's how the news is developing. All times Eastern.
Jun 12, 2023, 9:27 PM EDT

Trump says he'll plead not guilty

On the eve of his Tuesday arraignment in Miami, former President Donald Trump made rounds across key conservative media audiences and spoke out against the charges.

Trump told talk show host Howie Carr he would plead "not guilty" at his arraignment and not make a statement during his court appearance on Tuesday.

"I just say, ‘not guilty.’ I didn't do anything wrong. I did nothing wrong. Presidential Records Act. It's not even a criminal event. There's no criminality here. It's ridiculous," Trump said.

Trump also slammed his former attorney general, Bill Barr, who over the weekend had criticized Trump for his alleged mishandling of presidential documents.

“Bill Barr is a failure in so many different ways. But he was a coward. And he didn't do his job," the former president said.

-ABC News' Libby Cathey, Soorin Kim and Isabella Murray

Jun 12, 2023, 4:45 PM EDT

Schumer calls for supporters, critics to 'maintain the peace'

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer called on both supporters and critics of former President Donald Trump to "maintain the peace" as Trump heads to federal court on Tuesday.

"This case must be allowed to play out through the legal process without outside political or ideological interference," Schumer said on the Senate floor Monday. "I encourage both supporters and critics of Donald Trump to maintain the peace and let the justice system do its work."

Republican leader Mitch McConnell has not made any public comments on the indictment since it was handed up on Thursday.

-ABC News' Allie Pecorin

Jun 12, 2023, 3:00 PM EDT

Trump lands in Florida

Former President Donald Trump has landed in Florida ahead of his Tuesday afternoon appearance in federal court in Miami.

Trump is spending Monday night at his golf club in Doral, Florida.

Jun 12, 2023, 2:31 PM EDT

Miami police prepared for crowds of 5,000 to 50,000

Preparations are underway in Miami ahead of former President Donald Trump's Tuesday appearance in federal court, city officials said at a news conference Monday.

A Federal Protective Service Police officer cordons off an area outside the Wilkie D. Ferguson Jr. U.S. Courthouse, June 12, 2023, in Miami.
Wilfredo Lee/AP

Federal Protective Service Police cars line the sidewalk outside the Wilkie D. Ferguson Jr. U.S. Courthouse, June 12, 2023, in Miami.
Wilfredo Lee/AP

"We are working very closely with our federal, state and local partners to make sure we have a comprehensive approach" to maintain "peace and order," but also to allow people the right to express themselves, Miami Police Chief Manuel Morales said.

Miami Mayor Francis Suarez encouraged any demonstrators to be peaceful, adding that officials are prepared for large crowds outside the courthouse.

Federal Protective Service Police officers cordon off an area outside the Wilkie D. Ferguson Jr. U.S. Courthouse, June 12, 2023, in Miami.
Wilfredo Lee/AP

Related Topics