This courtroom sketch shows Donald Trump at his arraignment at a federal court in Miami, Florida. Reuters
This courtroom sketch shows Donald Trump at his arraignment at a federal court in Miami, Florida. Reuters
This courtroom sketch shows Donald Trump at his arraignment at a federal court in Miami, Florida. Reuters
This courtroom sketch shows Donald Trump at his arraignment at a federal court in Miami, Florida. Reuters

Trump indictment: What comes next for former president?


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Former US president Donald Trump has made unwanted history after becoming the first current or former president to face federal felony charges.

Mr Trump was arraigned in a federal court in Miami, Florida, where he pleaded not guilty to 37 charges related to his mishandling of classified documents since leaving office in 2021.

Special counsel Jack Smith has promised a speedy trial – as mandated by the constitution – but Mr Trump's legal team could slow down proceedings.

Here is how the timeline could unfold after the arraignment.

What happens next?

The timeline for Mr Trump's federal case is not too dissimilar to a separate case he is fighting in New York, where Manhattan prosecutors filed 34 felony charges against him over falsifying business records during the 2016 election.

Federal prosecutors and Mr Trump's defence team now enter the "discovery phase" of the trial, where both sides will collect evidence and gather witnesses. Prosecutors must provide the defence team with evidence it plans to use during the trial.

Lawyers will also seek depositions during this phase of the trial.

Pre-trial motions

Both sides can enter motions such as a change of venue or to dismiss the charges entirely.

Mr Trump's defence team can also file a motion to supress certain types of evidence. For example, his team can attempt to prevent prosecutors from using evidence collected from lawyer Evan Corcoran on the grounds of attorney-client privilege.

His team unsuccessfully used that tactic to prevent Mr Corcoran from testifying before a Florida grand jury. Mr Corcoran, who was not charged in the indictment, is seen as a central player in the prosecution's case against the former president.

Lawyers for Mr Trump can also file additional motions in the hope of delaying the trial until after the 2024 presidential election.

A 2024 campaign to run

Unlike other defendants facing federal charges, Mr Trump is the front-runner to win the Republican nomination for the 2024 election.

And, as he did in his case in New York, he has turned his arraignment into a campaign event by making stops at a Cuban restaurant in Florida and holding a rally in Bedminster, New Jersey, later that night.

Mr Trump was not ordered to surrender his passport, nor was he declared a flight risk, meaning he is free to campaign across the country in his attempt to return to the White House.

The constitution does not prohibit indicted persons or convicted felons to run for president, meaning Mr Trump can still run.

Candidates must be natural-born US citizens, be at least 35 years of age and been a resident of the US for 14 years. Candidates also must not previously have served two terms in office.

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Based: Dubai and Los Angeles
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'The worst thing you can eat'

Trans fat is typically found in fried and baked goods, but you may be consuming more than you think.

Powdered coffee creamer, microwave popcorn and virtually anything processed with a crust is likely to contain it, as this guide from Mayo Clinic outlines: 

Baked goods - Most cakes, cookies, pie crusts and crackers contain shortening, which is usually made from partially hydrogenated vegetable oil. Ready-made frosting is another source of trans fat.

Snacks - Potato, corn and tortilla chips often contain trans fat. And while popcorn can be a healthy snack, many types of packaged or microwave popcorn use trans fat to help cook or flavour the popcorn.

Fried food - Foods that require deep frying — french fries, doughnuts and fried chicken — can contain trans fat from the oil used in the cooking process.

Refrigerator dough - Products such as canned biscuits and cinnamon rolls often contain trans fat, as do frozen pizza crusts.

Creamer and margarine - Nondairy coffee creamer and stick margarines also may contain partially hydrogenated vegetable oils.

Milestones on the road to union

1970

October 26: Bahrain withdraws from a proposal to create a federation of nine with the seven Trucial States and Qatar. 

December: Ahmed Al Suwaidi visits New York to discuss potential UN membership.

1971

March 1:  Alex Douglas Hume, Conservative foreign secretary confirms that Britain will leave the Gulf and “strongly supports” the creation of a Union of Arab Emirates.

July 12: Historic meeting at which Sheikh Zayed and Sheikh Rashid make a binding agreement to create what will become the UAE.

July 18: It is announced that the UAE will be formed from six emirates, with a proposed constitution signed. RAK is not yet part of the agreement.

August 6:  The fifth anniversary of Sheikh Zayed becoming Ruler of Abu Dhabi, with official celebrations deferred until later in the year.

August 15: Bahrain becomes independent.

September 3: Qatar becomes independent.

November 23-25: Meeting with Sheikh Zayed and Sheikh Rashid and senior British officials to fix December 2 as date of creation of the UAE.

November 29:  At 5.30pm Iranian forces seize the Greater and Lesser Tunbs by force.

November 30: Despite  a power sharing agreement, Tehran takes full control of Abu Musa. 

November 31: UK officials visit all six participating Emirates to formally end the Trucial States treaties

December 2: 11am, Dubai. New Supreme Council formally elects Sheikh Zayed as President. Treaty of Friendship signed with the UK. 11.30am. Flag raising ceremony at Union House and Al Manhal Palace in Abu Dhabi witnessed by Sheikh Khalifa, then Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi.

December 6: Arab League formally admits the UAE. The first British Ambassador presents his credentials to Sheikh Zayed.

December 9: UAE joins the United Nations.

Updated: June 14, 2023, 2:34 PM