Defiant Trump flies home after not guilty plea

1. Donald Trump has pleaded not guilty to criminal charges alleging he retained classified documents after he left the White House
2. It's alleged that US government secrets were stored in a shower, bathroom, ballroom and bedroom of his Mar-a-Lago estate
3. After leaving the court, the former president stopped at a well-known Cuban cafe in Miami to greet supporters
4. Trump will speak later today from his golf club in New Jersey
5. Some supporters of the former president protested against the indictment outside the Miami court
6. Trump, who is campaigning to win back the White House, says the indictment is "election interference"
7. Special Counsel Jack Smith, the lead investigator, says he wants a speedy trial and that Trump is innocent until proven guilty

Thanks for joining us

Chelsea Bailey

Live reporter

How Trump's historic day in court unfolded - in 60 seconds

That's a wrap for our live coverage of Donald Trump becoming the first former US president to be arraigned on federal charges.

It was a day of drama and political intrigue, with perhaps the most significant moment taking place when Trump stood silently in court as his lawyer entered a plea of "not guilty" to the 37 counts against him.

• If you want a recap of today's key events, here's our main article
• For insights into what happened inside the courtroom, read this
• And if you are wondering what will happen next, we have this analysis

Our writers today were Brandon Drenon, Chelsea Bailey, Sam Cabral, Juan Benn, Victoria Lindrea, Charley Adams and Emily Atkinson.

This page was edited by Brandon Livesay and Marianna Brady in Washington DC, and Marita Moloney in London.

Thanks for joining us.

In pictures: Scenes from a historic day

Reuters

Donald Trump's motorcade arrives at the Wilkie D. Ferguson Jr. Courthouse in Miami

EPA

The former president's supporters cheered for him as his motorcade arrived

Reuters

A sketch artist captured Trump's mood inside the coutroom

Pool

Trump's co-defendant, Walt Nauta, was also present in court (pictured here standing, second from the left)

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An anti-Trump protester briefly ran in front of the president's motorcade. He was quickly tackled by Secret Service agents

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After the arraignment, Donald Trump made a pit-stop at Cafe Versailles, a popular Miami restaurant, to snap pictures with supporters who sang "Happy Birthday". Donald Trump turns 77 on Wednesday

Reuters

Trump then boarded his personal plane to head home to Bedminster, New Jersey, where he will hold a rally

Trump has been charged. So what happens next?

Brandon Drenon

Live reporter

Now that the first former president in US history has been federally charged, it steers the country's political and judicial system into uncharted waters.

So, what happens next?

Experts estimate it could be a year or longer before Trump's trial actually begins.

The case is now in the hands of Florida federal judge Aileen Cannon, a Trump appointee.

Some pundits suspect Trump will attempt to delay the trial until 2024, under the assumption that he - the Republican party's leading 2024 presidential candidate - could win the presidency and thus be in a position to absolve himself of the charges.

Cannon has been accused of ruling in favour of Trump in the past, leading some US media to liken Trump's case in her hands to "winning the judicial lottery".

However, upon unsealing Trump's charges on Friday, special counsel Jack Smith said his office would seek a "speedy trial". But that decision will be out of Smith's hands.

Donald Trump lands in New Jersey

Donald Trump's plane has just touched down at Newark International Airport.

He will now travel to Bedminister, New Jersey.

We're expecting the former president to make a speech at 20:45 (local time).

Trump loyalists await him at his luxury golf course

Brandon Drenon

Live reporter

Getty Images

Donald Trump will soon be greeted by friends and fans at his luxury golf club in Bedminster, New Jersey.

A speech is planned for 20:45 (local time).

His team has set up about 200 chairs outside the venue, with name cards on each seat for guests and overflow tables nearby.

A familiar cast of Trump loyalists is expected to be present, including Mike Lindell, the business magnate known as the 'My Pillow Guy'; Ed Cox, the New York Republican Party chairman; and Alabama Senator Tommy Tuberville.

They'll look on as Trump makes his scheduled address on today's events and attempts to spin his federal charges into fundraising gold.

The former president, who is running for office again, is expected to hold a private fundraiser after the announcement, where he reportedly hopes to raise at least $2m (£1.5m).

A fundraising email from Trump's campaign was sent out about 30 minutes ago which started off with the words: "I’m writing you this email as I fly back from the Miami federal courthouse where I was ARRAIGNED as an INNOCENT MAN."

If you're just joining us, here's a recap of today's events

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Donald Trump was arraigned in a federal court in Miami, marking the first time in US history a former president has been federally prosecuted.

Here's what happened:

• Donald Trump entered the Wilkie D Ferguson federal courthouse in Miami and was booked and fingerprinted. He did not have his mugshot taken
• Trump's lawyer Todd Blanche said: "we are certainly entering a plea of not guilty" to all charges
• Walt Nauta, Trump's aide, did not enter a plea and his arraignment was postponed
• Trump was ordered not to discuss the case with potential witnesses, including his co-defendant, Nauta
• Chaos erupted outside the courthouse when a protestor lunged toward the former president's motorcade
• Trump then made a quick visit to Cafe Versailles, a famous Cuban cafe in Little Havana, where supporters sang him happy birthday (he turns 77 tomorrow)
• Now the former president is headed to his golf course in Bedminster, New Jersey. He will make a speech and is expected to host a fundraising dinner

Will Biden comment on Trump's arrest? 'No'

Bernd Debusmann Jr

Reporting from the White House

I've just left another event in which President Joe Biden spoke - this time to a gathering of ambassadors and heads of diplomatic missions.

As Biden walked off, one of the reporters here yelled out - asking if he would comment on Trump's court appearance in Florida.

The answer came quickly: "no".

Bernd Debusmann

BBC Verify

Shayan Sardarizadeh

Trump supporters wary of joining protests

BBC

While some coverage had hinted at the possibility of mass rallies by Trump supporters in Miami today, the crowd outside the court turned out to be fairly small.

A few users on a pro-Trump online forum, which was used to organise the January 2021 Capitol riots, spoke of disappointment over the "dismal showing".

But the small crowd is consistent with general chatter on pro-Trump online circles prior to today's hearing.

The aftermath of the Capitol riots, which resulted in more than 1,000 arrests and several heavy prison sentences, has changed the way Trump supporters respond to what they say is unjust targeting of the former president.

There's fear and paranoia. Some of the far-right militia and conspiracy movements that were involved - like the Oath Keepers and Proud Boys - have seen their leading figures detained and jailed, leaving them with far less power and influence.

It will take something far more consequential for the former president's fans to once again put themselves on the frontline, as they did two years ago.

Who was among the pro-Trump crowd?

Mike Wendling

US disinformation reporter

BBC

Donald Trump has the support of millions of mainstream Republicans, but some of those who turned out to protest in Miami appear to be a fringe subset of fans.

A flag bearing the logo of conspiracy website Infowars flew over the protesters as Laura Loomer livestreamed on Twitter. Loomer is a failed hard-right congressional candidate known for performing stunts targeting politicians and social media companies.

Also broadcasting from the scene was Anthime Gionet, better known by his nickname "Baked Alaska", a white nationalist influencer who earlier this year was sentenced to two months in prison for unlawfully demonstrating during the January 2021 Capitol riots.

Members of the Proud Boys and QAnon believers - some wearing clothing referencing the sprawling conspiracy theory - were also spotted in the crowd.

There were more conventional figures as well. Vivek Ramaswamy, a Republican presidential candidate, made a speech pledging that if he's elected president, he'll pardon Trump.

Dramatic sketches show scenes inside courtroom

William J Hennessey Jr./ Reuters

Coutroom sketches have just been published that show former president Donald Trump.

Another sketch shows his co-defendant, Walt Nauta, surrounded by a legal team.

The drawings give us a glimpse inside the historic court proceeding, where cameras were not allowed.

Jane Rosenberg

Trump and Nauta’s demeanour

Madeline Halpert

Reporting from court in Miami, Florida

Sitting in the court overflow room alongside a dozen other reporters, I was able to watch a video of the arraignment proceedings with a front-row seat to Trump and Nauta’s expressions.

Both seemed relatively subdued during the entire process, looking straight ahead or staring down.

Trump occasionally stopped to twiddle his thumbs or cross his arms over his chest, hunched over.

He seemed similarly downcast as he was during his first arraignment in New York, on charges he falsified business records, in April.

Nauta seemed to look down with his arms at his sides for the whole arraignment process. Neither spoke during the hearing, nor did they look at one another.

Nauta arraignment postponed over legal technicalities

Earlier, we incorrectly reported Walt Nauta had entered a plea of not guilty on the conspiracy charge. We have removed that post.

Now we have more information from reporters, we can clarify that Trump's aide did not enter a plea. His arraignment was in fact postponed until 27 June over legal technicalities.

Although he had attorneys representing him, it was determined Nauta also needed a Florida lawyer in order to enter a plea.

Throughout the hearing, Nauta was seated to the right of his employer and co-defendant, Donald Trump.

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A BBC reporter's view from inside the courtroom

Kayla Epstein

Reporting from court in Miami, Florida

The press spent hours seated in a jury room, waiting for news of whether we would get in.

We were checked multiple times by US marshals and secret service, then sent to a large courtroom.

There were no phones, laptops, or recording devices allowed inside the building or courtroom. When we walked in, Trump was already there, seated on the right-hand side and flanked by his defence attorneys.

The first thing I saw walking in was his shock of straw-coloured hair, illuminated by overhead lights.

Trump looked stony and said little except whispered asides to his attorneys.

He shifted in his seat throughout the proceedings but otherwise appeared calm. When asked to enter Trump’s plea, his attorney Todd Blanche said: “We most certainly enter a plea of not guilty.”

Trump’s assistant-turned-co-defendant Walt Nauta was seated at the same table, but Trump barely looked at him throughout the proceedings.

When court adjourned, Trump walked out of court flanked by his security details.

The reporters immediately sprinted to a lift and we crammed ourselves in to be able to get back to file.

We then ran out of the courthouse to retrieve our phones and send our reports - like the one you’re reading now.

Donald Trump boards his plane

Donald Trump is now about to leave Miami on his private plane - dubbed "Trump Force One".

He's headed to his luxury golf club in Bedminster, New Jersey, where he's expected to make a public address on today's criminal proceedings at 20:15 (00:15 GMT).

PA Images from 2014

Inside Donald Trump's airplane dubbed 'Trump Force One'

Trump’s indictment played out in two courts today

Anthony Zurcher

BBC North America correspondent

Trump surprises guests in Cuban restaurant

Donald Trump’s indictment played out in two courts on Tuesday afternoon - a federal courtroom in Miami and the court of public opinion.

Inside the Miami courthouse, Trump and his legal team were demure. One of Trump’s lawyers told the presiding judge that the former president was pleading not guilty to all charges.

There was some back-and-forth over what kind of contact Trump could have with his co-defendant, Walt Nauta, and with potential witnesses in his case. The former president was released without any restrictions on his travel.

Outside the courthouse, and on social media, it was a very different scene.

Throughout the day, the former president posted to his Truth Social website, insulting Special Counsel Jack Smith and questioning why he wasn’t investigating alleged crimes by Democrats.

“One of the saddest days in the history of our country,” he wrote. “We are a nation in decline!!!”

That’s standard rhetorical fair for Trump, who tends to launch his fiercest attacks when he feels the most threatened.

The other message Trump sent following his arraignment was a more subtle political one. His motorcade stopped at Versailles, a Cuban restaurant and bakery popular with residents of the Little Havana neighbourhood and tourists alike.

While there, he shook hands, took pictures and made brief remarks, as patrons serenaded the soon-to-be 77-year-old former president with a rendition of Happy Birthday.

It looked and felt like a typical meet-and-greet for a campaigning politician in a key battleground state. It was a visible sign that, for Trump, his bid for the White House is moving forward, indictments be damned.

Trump stops at famous restaurant, customers sing him happy birthday

Diners sing happy birthday to Donald Trump

Trump's motorcade has stopped at Cafe Versailles, a famous Cuban restaurant in Little Havana.

Cell phones flew into the air as the former president stood among his fans, smiling for the slew of selfies.

Trump told the owner "food for everyone" and then the crowd burst into a rendition of happy birthday to the former president, who turns 77 tomorrow.

Tempers flare outside courtroom

Alexandra Ostasiewicz

Reporting from Miami, Florida

Tempers are running hot outside the courthouse. Earlier, a short verbal confrontation between a Trump supporter and a counter-protester drew a crowd of spectators. Advocates for the former president are in the majority here, but anti-Trump protesters, a vocal minority, are carrying signs with phrases like “lock him up”.

Reuters

Alexandra Ostasiewicz

BreakingProtester lunges towards motorcade as it leaves courthouse

Protester jumps in front of Trump's motorcade

There were no barriers between the pavements and SUVs as Trump's motorcade exited the courthouse.

One protester lunged into the street towards the motorcade, but was quickly dragged away by officials, ending a brief moment of chaos.

Donald Trump's extensive motorcade is now on its way to the airport.

EPA

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The court hearing has ended. Here's what happens next

The Miami court hearing has officially ended.

Donald Trump heard the charges against him and pleaded not guilty to each of the 37 counts.

He will now make his way back to his luxury golf course in Bedminster, New Jersey.

Trump told not to discuss the case with his co-defendant

Magistrate Judge Jonathan Goodman has told former president Donald Trump and his co-defendant, Walt Nauta, not to discuss the facts of the case between themselves. The judge said he recognised the two worked together, but any conversations about the case must go through their lawyers, he said.

Nauta serves as Trump's so-called "body-man" or personal valet and works closely with the president on a daily basis.