Trump says he'll plead not guilty after federal indictment

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

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.


0

Schumer, Jeffries release joint statement

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries said in a joint statement Friday, "No one is above the law – including Donald Trump."

"This indictment must now play out through the legal process, without any outside political or ideological interference," they said. "We encourage Mr. Trump’s supporters and critics alike to let this case proceed peacefully in court.”


McCarthy says Trump indictment 'going to disrupt this nation'

House Speaker Kevin McCarthy told Fox News he believes the indictment is "going to disrupt this nation because it goes to the core of equal justice for all."

"This is a very dark day in America when you think about what they're trying to indict President Trump on," McCarthy said, falsely equating the crimes Trump allegedly committed with President Joe Biden's own handling of classified documents.

McCarthy said House Republicans "are not going to stand for it," saying he’s already talked to House Oversight Chairman James Comer and House Judiciary Chairman Jim Jordan "of things that we can do to ensure equal justice."

-ABC News' Lauren Peller


Trump to appear in court Tuesday

Former President Donald Trump and his aide, Walt Nauta, are set to appear in court at 3 p.m. Tuesday at a federal courthouse in Miami, according to a spokesperson for special counsel Jack Smith.

The indictment was returned Thursday and unsealed on Friday, according to his office.

Trump is expected to arrive at and depart from the Miami courthouse Friday via secure private access points that would make it impossible for the public or journalists to see him.

Secret Service spokesman Anthony Guglielmi said, "While operational security precludes us from going into specifics, the Secret Service will not seek any special accommodations outside of what would be required to ensure the former President's continued safety. As with any site visited by a protectee, the Secret Service is in constant coordination with the necessary entities to ensure protective requirements are met. We have the utmost confidence in the professionalism and commitment to security shared by our law enforcement partners in Florida.

"Miami police will also help Tuesday with "personnel, resources, detours, and/or road closures," Miami Police Chief Manuel Morales said in a statement. "We're committed to protecting everyone's first amendment right and will continue to serve our residents, business owners, and visitors while maintaining the safety of our community."


Special counsel speaks out

Special counsel Jack Smith said Friday that he invites everyone to read the indictment "in full to understand the scope and the gravity of the crimes charged."

"The men and women of the United States intelligence community and our Armed Forces dedicate their lives to protecting our nation and its people. Our laws that protect national defense information are critical for the safety and security of the United States, and they must be enforced," he said.

"We have one set of laws in this country, and they apply to everyone," Smith said. "Applying those laws, collecting facts, that's what determines the outcome of an investigation."


What 2nd Trump indictment could mean for GOP White House race: Analysis

With former President Donald Trump now facing a second indictment, this time on federal charges, according to sources, it's a turn of events that could shake up the Republican primary field as Trump makes a third run for the White House.

The aftermath of Trump's first indictment in New York connection to an alleged hush money scheme could be an indication of what is to come. Before his first indictment, Trump pledged to continue on with his presidential bid despite charges and even argued that cases could give his campaign a boost. Trump wasn't wrong.

In fact, he still outpaces his GOP rivals in recent polling.

Another boon to his campaign, the fact that Republicans by and large rallied around him after his first indictment -- even most of those challenging him in the Republican presidential primary.

But the field of candidates is more crowded now, comprised of more candidates willing to clearly criticize Trump.

Read more of ABC News' analysis here.

-ABC News' Averi Harper