Protests, counterprotests, police lines, political rivals and suspicious devices left the outside of a Miami courthouse a chaotic scene awaiting the arrival of former President Donald Trump as aides warned “there is going to be a disaster.”
Following a federal indictment Thursday containing 37 felony counts related to his possession of documents marked classified, the president was expected at the U.S. Federal Courthouse in Miami, Florida for a 3 p.m. arraignment.
Speaking with the Daily Beast, a confidant allegedly close to Trump expressed, “Inside of this event, there is going to be a disaster. There are going to be people that come out that don’t want to be peaceful.”
“You get the fanatics coming out,” the anonymous individual added as an adviser said, “I would hope it’s not a protest. I have never heard of anyone wanting to protest.”
Despite officials expecting anywhere from 5,000 to 50,000 demonstrators outside the proceeding, yellow caution tape appeared to be the only barricade.
So between 5 to 50,000 people…lol.
not a fan of downtown but I may need to go check this out in person. pic.twitter.com/eW8uuH8CSn
— PhotographicFloridian (@JackLinFLL) June 13, 2023
The @MiamiMayor promised there would be real security outside the Miami courthouse
There’s police tape
No barricades
Why did Franny lie? pic.twitter.com/QRXPDI0hE6
— Jack Poso (@JackPosobiec) June 13, 2023
Meanwhile, police were on the scene investigating a suspicious device reported to be a television for which ownership was not attributed.
They have shut down a portion of north Miami avenue to investigate the tv because no has claimed it. pic.twitter.com/Y9FEBPSUC0
— Naomi Feinstein (@naomifeinstein) June 13, 2023
BREAKING: Police are investigating a suspicious device found outside the Miami courthouse after evacuating media pic.twitter.com/3xTm5XKsO2
— Jack Poso (@JackPosobiec) June 13, 2023
Fox News confirmed authorities had given the all-clear after civilians had been temporarily removed from the scene out of safety concerns.
While many images appeared to show the differing sides peaceably attending the event to show their support or disfavor for the former president, outside the Trump National Doral golf club and resort where he had spent the night, a conflict had led to police involvement when one man was accused of having a gun.
Documentarian Ford Fischer shared footage from the interaction as a man with profanity written on his jacket behaved as though he was going to remove something from an inside pocket and said, “I got something in my pocket,” after apparent supporters of Trump told him to “get the f*ck out.”
Police checked the man and reportedly found no weapon on his person.
One man held anti-Trump signs. Trump supporters confronted him, telling him to “get the fuck out.”
The man reached into his jacket, and a Trump supporter told police (1:05 into this) “He’s carrying a gun!”
Police separated them and checked – the man had no weapon. pic.twitter.com/dXf5PWxtiE
— Ford Fischer (@FordFischer) June 12, 2023
Longtime Trump ally Roger Stone took to social media early on Tuesday to remind everyone to remain peaceful as he also warned against contradictory reports that might suggest anything other than lawful behavior was being tolerated in and around the courthouse.
“If you decide to go to Miami today to demonstrate your support for @realDonaldTrump I urge you AGAIN to conduct yourself peacefully, civilly and legally. There are fake media reports implying that I have said anything other than this and they are false and purposely omit everything I have said in this regard,” he wrote.
If you decide to go to Miami today to demonstrate your support for @realDonaldTrump I urge you AGAIN to conduct yourself peacefully, civilly and legally. There are fake media reports implying that I have said anything other than this and they are false and purposely omit…
— Roger Stone (@RogerJStoneJr) June 13, 2023
At the time of this posting, though there were some interesting characters on the scene including a man with an actual pig head on a stick there to “have fun,” images showed no immediate signs of flaring tension or conflict.
Man with a DEAD PIG HEAD outside Miami Federal Court where #Trump is expected to be arrested today pic.twitter.com/uFLt2ME1yX
— Oliya Scootercaster (@ScooterCasterNY) June 13, 2023
Support continues to grow in Miami, Florida ahead of President Trump’s arraignment in federal court today. pic.twitter.com/ZjvJSsxgdn
— Liz Willis (@LizWillis_) June 13, 2023
“Trump’s a dick” now being chanted. pic.twitter.com/pNT26hJa0U
— Naomi Feinstein (@naomifeinstein) June 13, 2023
It is getting rowdy pic.twitter.com/XMP9EKRbs5
— Naomi Feinstein (@naomifeinstein) June 13, 2023
Native of Brooklyn, NY, Kevin Haggerty is a graduate of Hunter College where he studied Cultural Anthropology and Geography. An avid reader and truth seeker, he currently resides in Texas with his wife and their dog and, when he isn't researching current events and their impacts, you'll find him spending time with friends and family or working on his next novel.
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