Live coverage: Donald Trump is arraigned on federal charges for withholding classified documents

Yes, the man with the pig head on a stick is a Trump supporter. No, I don't know why he has a pig head on a stick.

It’s Tuesday afternoon in Miami. It’s 87 degrees, and there is always the chance of one of those Florida afternoon thunderstorms that seem like nearly daily events. But for the moment, track conditions seem good as we all await the convoy of vehicles that will ferry Donald Trump to this, his second arraignment of the spring. Trump is due to be at the courthouse by 3 PM ET. If you need a program for what to expect, Laura Clawson has you covered.

We’ll have to wait for the grand jury in Georgia, or one of special counsel Jack Smith’s other juries to let us know whether it will be a triple crowning, but for now it’s time to don your arraignment day chapeau, mix that arraignment day drink, and settle in for the coverage of Trump being shuffled through the legal system.

At the moment, a handful of Trump supporters are out in front of the Wilkie Ferguson Federal Courthouse being pursued by at least 200 reporters. If you’ve ever wanted your chance to explain your concerns about the connections between the underground wars of our lizard men overlords and their connections to Glade plug-in air fresheners, now is your time. You can probably land 10 network interviews in as many minutes.

UPDATE: Tuesday, Jun 13, 2023 · 8:23:01 PM +00:00 · Mark Sumner

And that’s all, folks (which seems weirdly appropriate for the picture).

Trump is now being serenaded in a sandwich shop by his small gathering of supporters who have come all the way to Miami to what-about Hunter Biden. Next he will be off to Bedminster with a fresh set of boxes to deliver a speech. 

I won’t be covering it. 

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UPDATE: Tuesday, Jun 13, 2023 · 8:09:32 PM +00:00 · Mark Sumner

Now everyone be spontaneous in your love for the big guy! 

Secret service prepping Versailles bakery guests for a surprise Trump visit in Miami. (Then they kicked out press.) pic.twitter.com/w2QGXaE0CB

— Danielle Paquette (@DPAQreport) June 13, 2023

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UPDATE: Tuesday, Jun 13, 2023 · 8:04:55 PM +00:00 · Mark Sumner

No mug shot. No restrictions. Government says someone who owns a private jet, who previously loaded that jet with boxes of documents, and who is traveling tonight to give a speech at the place where he “lost” two national security documents is not a flight risk.

This is too soft to be described as “kid gloves.” It’s more like “carried about while in a tub of body temperature Jell-O.”

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UPDATE: Tuesday, Jun 13, 2023 · 7:46:58 PM +00:00 · Mark Sumner

Just to compare with how arraignment went for someone facing fewer charges than Trump … 

A federal judge on Thursday denied bail to Reality Leigh Winner, the 25-year-old Georgia woman accused of leaking classified information to the media, after prosecutors argued she remains a flight risk, a threat to the public and could possibly leak more government documents.

In that case, the government went through all of Winner’s writings back to high school and offered up her teenage thoughts on the Middle East as evidence she couldn’t be trusted. In this case, even the claims Trump made on the way to the courthouse were not mentioned.

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UPDATE: Tuesday, Jun 13, 2023 · 7:42:45 PM +00:00 · Mark Sumner

Apparently Trump can talk to Nauta and other people connected to the case so long as they don’t talk about the case. Sure. Because it’s not like Trump would ever break that kind of ruling.

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UPDATE: Tuesday, Jun 13, 2023 · 7:35:58 PM +00:00 · Mark Sumner

Things are apparently wrapping up. Trump’s motorcade expected to pull away at any minute.

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UPDATE: Tuesday, Jun 13, 2023 · 7:34:07 PM +00:00 · Mark Sumner

Note that this is all extremely kid glove treatment. No one walks out of a federal courthouse on multiple violations of the Espionage Act without heading for jail or wearing an ankle bracelet. No one. Until now.

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UPDATE: Tuesday, Jun 13, 2023 · 7:31:07 PM +00:00 · Mark Sumner

Meanwhile, back at the federal courthouse in Washington D.C., NBC News reports:

Two men who served as “fake electors,” electors who signed certification documents purporting that Trump won in their states even though he had lost, were spotted entering the room where the grand jury investigating the Jan. 6 attack is meeting.

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UPDATE: Tuesday, Jun 13, 2023 · 7:26:31 PM +00:00 · Mark Sumner

The special counsel’s office has informed the judge that it does not consider either Trump or Nauta flight risks. So there are unlikely to be any constraints on their movements or handing over of passports.

Looks like Trump will still make it to Bedminster.

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UPDATE: Tuesday, Jun 13, 2023 · 7:21:26 PM +00:00 · Mark Sumner

This is actually more than I had expected. We’ll see if there is any more.

The judge said that former President Trump could have no contact with any witnesses in the case -- including Walt Nauta -- who currently works for him.

— Katherine Faulders (@KFaulders) June 13, 2023

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UPDATE: Tuesday, Jun 13, 2023 · 7:14:32 PM +00:00 · Mark Sumner

Judge reportedly being incredibly deferential to Trump, referring to him as “former President Trump” rather than “the defendant” when addressing attorneys.

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UPDATE: Tuesday, Jun 13, 2023 · 7:11:34 PM +00:00 · Mark Sumner

And frack. Forget what I said earlier, because even in this instance, laws only apply to other people. 

Donald Trump did not have a mug shot taken at the Miami courthouse where he surrendered to face federal charges on Tuesday. It's a departure from normal procedure, but Trump's lawyer argued that "obviously, he’s not a flight risk." https://t.co/FYTz6Miqxq

— The New York Times (@nytimes) June 13, 2023

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UPDATE: Tuesday, Jun 13, 2023 · 7:06:20 PM +00:00 · Mark Sumner

No surprise here. 

Trump has pleaded not guilty to all 37 charges in the indictment alleging that he mishandled classified documents brought to his Mar-a-Lago resort and engaged in a conspiracy to obstruct justice.

— Kaitlan Collins (@kaitlancollins) June 13, 2023

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UPDATE: Tuesday, Jun 13, 2023 · 7:00:54 PM +00:00 · Mark Sumner

The hearing has started. Jack Smith reportedly sitting in the front row.

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UPDATE: Tuesday, Jun 13, 2023 · 6:57:08 PM +00:00 · Mark Sumner

Special counsel Jack Smith is attending the arraignment of former President Donald Trump, per @PaulaReidCNN, @HolmesLybrand & @evanperez.

— Zachary Cohen (@ZcohenCNN) June 13, 2023

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UPDATE: Tuesday, Jun 13, 2023 · 6:54:03 PM +00:00 · Mark Sumner

Trump has now entered the courtroom for arraignment. 

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UPDATE: Tuesday, Jun 13, 2023 · 6:46:00 PM +00:00 · Mark Sumner

Melania was last seen shopping in New York City. She’s not letting this get in the way of what’s important.

Minutes after reporting that Melania Trump had arrived at the Miami courthouse for her husband's arraignment, Fox News anchor John Roberts issues a correction.

"It's easy from a distance to mistake two people"

Roberts then reports it was actually Trump assistant Margo Martin. pic.twitter.com/Ya6rjk98OP

— Justin Baragona (@justinbaragona) June 13, 2023

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UPDATE: Tuesday, Jun 13, 2023 · 6:40:11 PM +00:00 · Mark Sumner

The front page at CNN right now. Maybe Chris Licht’s departure is already having an effect.

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UPDATE: Tuesday, Jun 13, 2023 · 6:32:03 PM +00:00 · Mark Sumner

Lookit. He has an attorney. One who is apparently concerned about the notorious “Hillary Crit.”

it's amazing that all Trump's lawyers have is whataboutism pic.twitter.com/8a2DuGI3Kb

— Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) June 13, 2023

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UPDATE: Tuesday, Jun 13, 2023 · 6:28:11 PM +00:00 · Mark Sumner

Well, sir, there's nothing on earth like a genuine, bona fide, electrified, six-car monorail. What'd I say? Monorail!

This particular monorail is apparently delivering Arraignment Homer to the courthouse (and no matter what the lady says, they will be taking fingerprints and a mug shot).

CNN reporting that Trump is under arrest and in federal custody pic.twitter.com/Ze3RaFTzb5

— Acyn (@Acyn) June 13, 2023

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UPDATE: Tuesday, Jun 13, 2023 · 6:20:03 PM +00:00 · Mark Sumner

That the booking is over doesn’t mean the day is done. Now Trump goes in front of Judge Goodman (we think) for his actual arraignment. However, the fact that he’s there so early could mean there’s something else happening. Otherwise he’s got about 45 minutes worth of hanging around before the police escort him over to the courtroom.

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UPDATE: Tuesday, Jun 13, 2023 · 6:16:42 PM +00:00 · Mark Sumner

The booking process for Trump and his co-defendant Walt Nauta is now complete, CNN reports from inside the courthouse. He is under arrest.

— Kaitlan Collins (@kaitlancollins) June 13, 2023

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UPDATE: Tuesday, Jun 13, 2023 · 6:10:34 PM +00:00 · Mark Sumner

No pictures from inside the courthouse today as cameras and phones have been banned. Keeping America’s sketch artists making caricatures of Trump is an important part of the economy.

Pic from a tipster of Trump in Miami as he heads to courthouse. Behind him is co-defendant Walt Nauta. pic.twitter.com/pEOa4tXiVf

— Shane Goldmacher (@ShaneGoldmacher) June 13, 2023

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UPDATE: Tuesday, Jun 13, 2023 · 5:57:52 PM +00:00 · Mark Sumner

Trump is already planning to fly from the courthouse to the exact location where he has both talked about and lost at least two national security documents, his Bedminster, New Jersey, golf club, where he will give a speech. There are chairs already sitting on the lawn waiting. Would be a huge shame if Judge Goodman interfered with his schedule. Huge.

the 2023 version of the Gettysburg Address, surely pic.twitter.com/IbWwAKp8Uz

— Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) June 13, 2023

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UPDATE: Tuesday, Jun 13, 2023 · 5:50:48 PM +00:00 · Mark Sumner

Caption this. 🙄 pic.twitter.com/5GAfdfRykb

— Jon Cooper (@joncoopertweets) June 13, 2023

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UPDATE: Tuesday, Jun 13, 2023 · 5:49:44 PM +00:00 · Mark Sumner

In case you’re wondering, Trump will get his mugshot taken today. Unlike in New York, that’s not optional with a federal arraignment. However, the images will not be released to the public, so the 10,000 versions you see today will all be fakes. Even if some are hilarious.

Donald Trump departs for his felony arraignment. pic.twitter.com/9K1IVs6lFq

— Ron Filipkowski (@RonFilipkowski) June 13, 2023

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UPDATE: Tuesday, Jun 13, 2023 · 5:47:06 PM +00:00 · Mark Sumner

Trump is on the move toward the courthouse, people are getting stuck in traffic, and Marco Rubio is demonstrating that his grovel-o-meter goes to 11.

Marco Rubio is on Fox News having a pity party for Trump pic.twitter.com/jWNeLPrTT7

— Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) June 13, 2023

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UPDATE: Tuesday, Jun 13, 2023 · 5:32:04 PM +00:00 · Mark Sumner

So the Miami police are treating Trump supporters about the same way the media does—thinking there are 2,500 ready to jump at Trump’s command for every one who actually exists.

Miami prepared for 50,000 Trump supporters to demonstrate against his indictment. CNN is reporting 20 have shown up so far. 20.

— Mark Elliott (@markmobility) June 13, 2023

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UPDATE: Tuesday, Jun 13, 2023 · 5:21:35 PM +00:00 · Mark Sumner

After lots of conflicting statements over the last day, it looks like the arraignment will actually be handled by Magistrate Judge Jonathan Goodman rather than the “rules, what rules?” Aileen Cannon. However, this does not mean that Cannon has been removed from the case. She is currently still assigned as lead judge.

It seems highly unlikely that Cannon will remain in charge, but that’s where things stand. In any case, she reportedly will not be on the bench today.

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UPDATE: Tuesday, Jun 13, 2023 · 5:01:35 PM +00:00 · Mark Sumner

Trump is so nervous that he’s lost his sense of direction. Try this Donald: Hold up your hands palm out with your thumbs pointed toward the middle. One of them will make a “L.”

That hand is telling you that you’re a loser.

This strategy? The one where Trump accuses his prosecutor of planting evidence? This is why Trump is having a wee problem in finding an attorney who will take his case.

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UPDATE: Tuesday, Jun 13, 2023 · 4:53:34 PM +00:00 · Mark Sumner

Obviously, being in jail did not rehabilitate this asshat.

At the Miami courthouse awaiting the Trump indictment is Nazi streamer Baked Alaska — fresh out of jail for his Jan 6 charges.

He’s being interviewed on a low quality stream by far-right figure Josh Fulfer AKA Oreo Express. Known Proud Boy and J6er associate.

17/ pic.twitter.com/PPXXB720am

— Miami Against Fascism 🌴☕️ (@MIAagainstFash) June 13, 2023

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UPDATE: Tuesday, Jun 13, 2023 · 4:44:26 PM +00:00 · Mark Sumner

Exactly who will be accompanying Trump on his journey today will be a bit of a mystery, as most of his legal team quit last week and he has advertised his inability to find another criminal attorney willing to sign on for abuse by a client with a reputation for berating his former attorneys while not paying his bills.

It’s not even clear that this will be an arraignment, as the summons only told Trump to appear before the court. He might actually get around to declaring how so very not guilty he is in front of Cannon. Or maybe she’ll just do it for him. The bookmaker’s odds that Cannon will make Trump pay any sort of bail, demand his passport, or put any sort of restriction on his movements or statements is roughly the same as those of Steve Bannon winning next year’s Preakness.

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UPDATE: Tuesday, Jun 13, 2023 · 4:34:41 PM +00:00 · Mark Sumner

Just think. You are missing out on festivities like this.

Laura Loomer singing happy birthday to Trump. Really. #miami #TrumpIndictment pic.twitter.com/e4mPVVT6YY

— Corey Hill (@NewsCHill) June 13, 2023

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UPDATE: Tuesday, Jun 13, 2023 · 4:24:24 PM +00:00 · Mark Sumner

Within the next couple of hours as the clock counts down to Trump’s appearance, buses are expected to arrive with more of the MAGA faithful, though it’s clear the numbers are going to fall far short of emergency planning that anticipated as many as 50,000 red hats swarming Miami streets. But those who want face time with multiple networks will need to hustle.

The whole reason that this is being held at the Miami courthouse and not the federal district courthouse in West Palm Beach is likely related to security concerns.

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UPDATE: Tuesday, Jun 13, 2023 · 4:21:36 PM +00:00 · Mark Sumner

Trump is feeling a bit nervous about this whole thing. Expect a flurry of these before someone guides his head into the car.

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