Trump to appear in court today

Former President Donald J. Trump will appear in a Miami courtroom today to answer a 37-count federal indictment.

Trump to enter plea

The Hill said, at 8:53 a.m. EDT today (June 12), that Trump intends to plead “Not Guilty” to the charges of mishandling national-defense and other classified information. These charges have their basis on a recorded conversation at a country club, and the infamous Mar-A-Lago Raid.

The conversation took place at the Bedminster Golf Club, where he apparently makes a second home. He flew back to Florida yesterday and is preparing for his court appearance today. In a statement to The Hill, he said he plans to make no statement to the court. Trump stands on the Presidential Records Act, which, he reminded interviewers, does not provide for criminal penalties.

The Hill maintains a special live-update page, which reports the following as of 10:28 a.m.:

Trump made a speech slamming Special Counsel Jack Smith, calling him “thug” and “Trump hater.”

Former Rep. Paul Ryan (R-Wisc.) declared the former President “unelectable” simply by reason of the indictment. He made that statement his morning on CBS This Morning.

The former President’s legal team has undergone near-complete replacement, for reasons not entirely clear. Two more attorneys, Chris Kise and Todd Blanche, have filed papers to defend Trump against the indictment. Mr. Blanche, the designated lead counsel, is not a member of the Florida Bar; Mr. Kise is. The rules of the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida require a Florida attorney as part of any defense team.

No pictures

Trump will appear before U.S. Magistrate Judge Jonathan Goodman. Last night he ruled that media organizations may not take photographs or record video in his courtroom. He also refused a request to release same-day sound recordings of the proceedings.

Senator Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) and other Senate Republicans are declining to defend Trump rhetorically or in any other manner. In contrast, House Republican leaders are rallying behind the former President.

At 10:38 a.m., journalist Laura Loomer tweeted this live video stream of crowds gathering in front of the courthouse.

She has scheduled a rally to begin at noon today.