By Sarah D. Wire,
June 13, 2023 Updated 7:04 PM PT
WASHINGTON —
Former President Trump pleaded not guilty to 37 felony charges Tuesday in connection with his handling of classified documents and alleged attempts to prevent the government from recovering them.
It marks the first time an American president has been charged with a federal crime. If found guilty in the case, he could face decades in prison.
Wearing a navy suit and red tie, Trump was brought in about 15 minutes before the hearing began and sat slumped in his chair, hands clasped in his lap, as he waited for the judge to arrive, ABC News reported. He looked down at the floor for most of the hearing, and his lawyer waived a reading of the 49-page indictment.
Special counsel Jack Smith sat in the front row watching Trump closely, CBS News reported. Smith did not speak.
“We most certainly enter a plea of not guilty,” Trump’s attorney Todd Blanche told federal Magistrate Judge Jonathan Goodman, who oversaw the arraignment.
Trump was released on his own recognizance, wasn’t asked to surrender his passport and is still allowed to travel internationally, according to news reports. Goodman ordered Trump not to discuss the case with his personal aide and co-defendant, Walt Nauta, or witnesses.
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