MIAMI-Donald Trump, the former US President , has touched down in Miami to confront federal criminal charges amidst allegations of illicitly hoarding national security documents and deceiving officials seeking their recovery. In a twist of political sentiment, a recent poll reveals that a substantial majority of his fellow Republicans perceive the case as politically motivated. With his sights set on the 2024 presidential election, Trump, currently the leading contender for the Republican nomination, is slated to make his debut in a Miami federal courthouse on Tuesday at 3 p.m. EDT . Asserting his innocence, Trump remains resolute in his quest to reclaim the presidency in the November 2024 election.
Amidst the backdrop of his 77th birthday, Donald Trump arrived in Miami aboard a private jet adorned with his name at 2:54 p.m. Supporters eagerly gathered outside his nearby golf club, where he intended to spend the night. Before departing from New Jersey, he voiced his thoughts on the "radical left" and their impact on America via his Truth Social social media platform.
Despite his legal troubles, Trump's popularity remains intact within the Republican Party. An Ipsos poll conducted by Reuters and released on Monday indicated that 81% of Republicans believe the charges against him to be politically motivated. Additionally, Trump continues to maintain a substantial lead over his rivals in the race for the Republican presidential nomination. Among self-identified Republicans, 43% expressed their preference for Trump as the candidate, while Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, Trump's closest competitor, garnered 22% support. It is noteworthy that Trump held a more commanding lead of 49% to DeSantis' 19% in early May, prior to DeSantis officially joining the race.
Trump alleges that President Joe Biden, a Democrat, is behind the federal case, claiming it to be a deliberate effort to undermine his own campaign. Meanwhile, President Biden has chosen to maintain a distance from the case and has refrained from making any comments about it.
During a CNN town hall on Monday night, Chris Christie, a former governor of New Jersey and an adviser to Trump's 2016 election campaign who is now running for the Republican presidential nomination, was asked whether he believed the Biden Administration was utilizing the Department of Justice as a weapon against Trump.
Former President Donald Trump is facing federal criminal charges and arrived in Miami, where he is scheduled for an initial court appearance. A Reuters/Ipsos poll shows that a majority of Republicans view the case as politically motivated. Trump continues to assert his innocence and campaign for the 2024 presidential election. Security concerns have arisen due to the Capitol assault, and Miami police are prepared for potential crowds. Special Counsel Jack Smith accuses Trump of unlawfully retaining national-security documents, while legal experts consider the case strong. Trump's trial may occur after the 2024 election, and he is also facing a separate trial in New York.