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.
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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
Trump heads back to New Jersey
Former President Donald Trump's plane has departed Miami and is now en route to his golf club in Bedminster, New Jersey, where Trump will address his supporters Tuesday night.