Former President Donald Trump was arrested and charged with 37 federal counts of mishandling classified documents on Tuesday. The charges stem from an investigation into Trump's handling of classified documents at his Florida resort, Mar-a-Lago.
Trump was arrested at his Mar-a-Lago resort and taken to the Wilkie D. Ferguson Jr. federal courthouse in Miami. He pleaded not guilty to the charges during an arraignment hearing.
The charges against Trump include:
- 17 counts of violating the Presidential Records Act
- 10 counts of making false statements
- 10 counts of obstruction of justice
If convicted, Trump could face up to 20 years in prison on each count.
The investigation into Trump's handling of classified documents began in 2021, after the FBI found classified documents at Mar-a-Lago. The FBI also found that Trump had told his lawyers to "get rid of" the documents.
Trump's arrest is a major development in the ongoing investigation into his activities while in office. It is also the first time that a former U.S. president has been arrested on federal charges.
The charges against Trump have been met with mixed reactions. Some have praised the Justice Department for taking action against Trump, while others have criticized the charges as politically motivated.
The case against Trump is likely to be a lengthy and complex one. It is possible that the case could go to trial, but it is also possible that Trump could reach a plea deal with the Justice Department.
The arrest of Donald Trump is a significant event in American history. It remains to be seen what the long-term consequences of the arrest will be.