In Miami, Donald Trump pleaded not guilty and campaigned.
The Republican contender rejected 37 federal allegations of keeping sensitive materials and refused to relinquish them.
Mr. Trump sat calmly in court with his arms crossed after posting on social media and attacking the prosecution for political reasons.
Mr. Trump, who also faces hush money allegations in New York and investigations in Washington and Atlanta, filed a not guilty plea through a lawyer and did not have to submit his passport or travel restrictions.
The 45th US president rejected 37 federal allegations of keeping confidential materials and refusing to relinquish them.
Former president Donald Trump gestures after addressing to fans at Trump National Golf Club Bedminster on Tuesday (Mary Altaffer/AP).
After being indicted, Donald Trump campaigns
The former president addressed fans at Trump National Golf Club Bedminster yesterday (PA).
In Miami, Donald Trump pleaded not guilty and campaigned.
The Republican contender rejected 37 federal allegations of keeping sensitive materials and refused to relinquish them.
Mr. Trump sat calmly in court with his arms crossed after posting on social media and attacking the prosecution for political reasons.
Mr. Trump, who also faces hush money allegations in New York and investigations in Washington and Atlanta, filed a not guilty plea through a lawyer and did not have to submit his passport or travel restrictions.
The court appearance began a legal procedure that will play out during the 2024 presidential election, according to the Associated Press. A day before his 77th birthday, the former president returned to campaigning at Cuban restaurant Versailles, where fans shouted Happy Birthday.
When he returned to his Bedminster, New Jersey, resort, he called prosecutors “thugs” and promised to appoint a special prosecutor to investigate President Joe Biden and his family if he won a second term.
Mr. Trump has attacked special counsel Jack Smith, who was appointed by attorney general Merrick Garland and sat in the front row behind his prosecutors at Tuesday’s arraignment.
During the court session, Mr. Trump clasped his hands on the table in front of him and spoke to his counsel.
While he was not compelled to give a passport, the presiding magistrate ordered him not to discuss the matter with specific witnesses, including Walt Nauta, his valet who was arrested last week for moving boxes of papers at Mr. Trump’s request and lying to the FBI.
Mr. Nauta did not plead on Tuesday.
“Many of the people he interacts with on a daily basis — including the men and women who protect him — are potential witnesses in this case,” attorney Todd Blanche said.
At the hearing, Mr. Trump appeared before a federal magistrate, but he nominated the District Court judge.
A federal appeals panel overruled Aileen Cannon’s determination last year that an independent special master may analyze the confiscated sensitive materials.
The indictment accuses Mr. Trump of illegally keeping national security documents he brought from the White House to Mar-a-Lago in Florida after leaving office in January 2021.
Prosecutors allege he kept nuclear programs, US and foreign defense and weapons capabilities, and a Pentagon “attack plan.” He is suspected of presenting some to non-security-cleared personnel.
He also suggested to his counsel that he hide or destroy Justice Department subpoenaed records, according to the accusation.
The city braced for turmoil, yet there was little unrest.