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Former US President Donald Trump. Photo/REUTERS
WASHINGTON – Former President of the United States (US) Donald Trump has been charged with 37 criminal charges.
The charges included knowingly keeping classified documents after leaving office, conspiring to prevent them from being returned to federal authorities and disclosing state secrets to others.
The various indictments were opened on Friday (9/6/2023), detailing the government’s accusations against the former commander-in-chief.
CNN and other US media first reported the indictments on Thursday. Reports at the time said Trump faced seven charges. He is scheduled to appear in court in Miami on Tuesday.
The historic federal indictment, the first against a former US president, is deepening divisions in American politics at a time when Trump is polling as the top candidate for the Republican Party’s 2024 presidential bid.
Republicans accuse President Joe Biden of weaponizing the legal system to defeat his main political rival heading into next year’s presidential election.
It was revealed in January that Biden had improperly stored classified documents in various locations, including the garage at his Delaware home, over the years.
“Today is a truly black day for the United States,” said House Speaker Kevin McCarthy, the top Republican in Congress.
He warned, “It makes no sense for a president to impeach a major candidate who opposes him. Joe Biden kept secret documents for decades. I and every other American who believes in the rule of law stand with President Trump against this grave injustice.”
