Live updates: Trump’s momentous day in Miami ends with a plane ride to New Jersey

Former President Donald Trump appears inside a Miami federal court Tuesday to respond to a 37-count indictment that accuses him of keeping classified documents at Mar-a-Lago in Palm Beach.

Here’s what‘s happening now:

Trump departs from Miami, heading to New Jersey

Donald Trump boarded his private plane at Miami International Airport around 4:40 p.m. and departed shortly after for Bedminster, New Jersey, Miami Herald News Partner CBS4 reported.

The former president is expected to make a speech Tuesday night in New Jersey.

Around the time of his departure Trump posted on Truth Social, “Thank you Miami. Such a warm welcome on such a SAD DAY for our Country!”

Donald Trump at Versailles

Donald Trump visited Versailles, the landmark Cuban restaurant and bakery on Eighth Street, to shake hands with supporters gathered there after Trump’s “not guilty” plea at Miami’s federal courthouse at 3 p.m. Tuesday.

“Are you ready? Food for everyone!” Trump reportedly told fans at Versailles as many prayed for him and sang “Happy Birthday.”

Trump turns 77 on Wednesday.

Trump left after about 15 minutes, likely heading to the Miami airport to depart for New Jersey, where he is expected make a speech Tuesday night.

— OMAR RODRIGUEZ ORTIZ

Trump’s plea

Donald Trump pleaded not guilty Tuesday on the 13th floor of a packed Wilkie D. Ferguston Jr. Courthouse in downtown Miami.

“We most certainly enter a plea of not guilty,” said Trump’s attorney Todd Blanche, to the 37-count indictment accusing the former president and GOP front runner for the 2024 presidential race of deliberately keeping at his Palm Beach estate government documents that contained highly sensitive material.

Trump, 76, appeared before a magistrate judge.

Trump on scene

Donald Trump arrived at Miami’s federal courthouse to rapturous cheers, chants and an off-key rendition of “God Bless America” from more than 200 of his supporters, who had spent most of the morning hoping to catch a glimpse of the former president ahead of his arraignment.

En route to the courthouse, Trump took to his social media account, Truth Social, to post to his site’s 5.4 million followers. In caps, he pronounced the indictment a “witch hunt” and “one of the saddest days in the history of our country.”

Oddities on the streets

Paper towels back at’cha: Outside the federal courthouse, one spectator had an unusual prop: a roll of paper towels.

“I’m not against or in favor of Donald Trump but I just wanted to give these back to him,” said Remigio Echevarria, a 52-year-old handyman from Añasco, Puerto Rico.

“I’m here to return them , we don’t need them anymore. We have God’s support.”

President Trump famously tossed rolls to a crowd in San Juan in October 2017 after Hurricane Maria devastated the island.

One towel read, “Here Trump, back to you. Puerto Rico respects itself.”

Uncle Sam chilling: Even Uncle Sam needs a break from all that patriotism.

A “Florida based” impersonator was seen waiting in line at the Starbucks near the federal courthouse, where Donald Trump was arraigned at 3 p.m. Tuesday.

All dressed up in red, white and blue, the entertainer who did not wish to give his real name, said he was happy to be here on this historic day for the country, no matter the outcome.

“I want you!” he said to a random woman in line, then: “Only I can get away with saying that.”

His order? A tall lemonade.

“What’s more American than that?” the woman joked. “See if they have apple pie.”

— MADELEINE MARR

What people are saying

▪ Miami Mayor Francis Suarez: In an interview with CNN’s Kaitlan Collins Tuesday, Miami Mayor Francis Suarez said he is confident that the security measures taken by the city will be sufficient for handling the crowds gathering outside the federal courthouse today.

Suarez arrived at the courthouse Tuesday afternoon where he was seen mingling with police officers and members of the media.

“So far what we’ve seen is people exercising their constitutional right,” Suarez told CNN. “From my perspective, things have been peaceful. Every once in a while you have one or two people who maybe become disrespectful. But that hasn’t gone beyond disrespect to violence.”

The mayor said he wasn’t aware of any arrests outside the courthouse so far.

“There’s an erosion of our institutions,” Suarez said. “And I think that’s something that worries me. It worries me as a Republican and it worries me as an American. We have to get back to a positive conversation.”

— SARAH BLASKEY

▪ After 2 p.m. the mood outside turned more rambunctious as cars and trucks with Trump flags blared their horns as they drove past about 100 people rallying for the former president on Fifth Street, north of the courthouse.

“Donald Trump is king!” the driver of a dump truck said as he leaned on the horn and drove by.

Bob McGuire drove from the Daytona area to attend the rally after learning about it from the Florida Republican Assembly. “Our message is we support our president,” the 66-year old said while holding an American flag and a sign saying “Defend the Constitution.”

— DOUGLAS HANKS

Trump motorcade arrives downtown from Doral

Former President Donald Trump’s motorcade arrived in downtown Miami just before 2 p.m. Tuesday after a 20-minute motorcade journey from Doral.

The former president left his Doral golf resort for the federal courthouse around 1:30 p.m. Doral police blocked access to the resort as the train of SUVs rolled out of the complex and hit the streets.

The 12-mile trip took a little less time than the usual commute because roads will be closed as the motorcade approaches.

At 1:50 p.m., a motorcade of black SUVs flashing police lights pulled into the southwest entrance of the courthouse, in a closed off section of First Avenue. Supporters lined up behind a police line cheered “We love Trump” as the vehicles entered and the gates closed again.

Trump’s arraignment is scheduled for 3 p.m.

Miami police checking out suspicious object

Clearing the streets: Miami police assisted Homeland Security concerning a suspicious object spotted near North Miami Avenue between Third and Fourth streets after 10:30 a.m. Traffic was temporarily shut down in that area up to Fifth Street.

— DAVID J. NEAL

How Trump’s appearance in Miami will unfold

Doral: Former President Donald Trump is waking up at his Doral golf resort Tuesday morning. He will climb into a black SUV early afternoon as his motorcade winds through the resort, passes the Miami airport and heads to downtown Miami.

Court appearance: Trump is scheduled to be in Miami federal court at 3 p.m. Tuesday.

Location: Wilkie D. Ferguson U.S. Courthouse at 400 N. Miami Ave. in downtown Miami.

What will happen: Trump, making his first court appearance in the case, will surrender for booking and processing at the federal courthouse prior to his hearing before Magistrate Judge Jonathan Goodman. Trump’s appearance won’t be on video or on TV because cameras aren’t allowed inside the federal courthouse.

Waiting for a seat in federal court

Supporters: Lazaro Encenarro said he has been in line for a seat at Trump’s court appearance since Monday afternoon. The Miami native in a Make America Great Again red cap and a black Trump 2024 T-shirt said Tuesday morning he’s here outside the federal courthouse to support the former president as he faces unfair criminal charges.

“We may not like his attitude or his demeanor,” said Encenarro, 48, who was in Miami from Oklahoma for a medical procedure on his eye. “But at the end of the day, he is an innocent man.”

— DOUGLAS HANKS

Non-supporters: “I am here expressing my joy, because in the end the system works. I am here living a historic moment. It is a unique moment, a president who is taken to court for a criminal act, and whether he is guilty or not will be seen,” said Osmani Estrada, 40, who was outside the federal courthouse. “I am an intelligent Cuban. I am not here to support Trump. The best argument against democracy is this: how can you ask the Cuban government to be democratic if you are supporting a person who is against democracy?”

— CARLA SANTIAGO

READ MORE: Supporters and non-supporters gather outside the courthouse

Will streets and mass transit be disrupted in Miami?

KNOW MORE: Traffic alert: How will Trump’s travel affect Miami roads? Depends on route and commute

Roads: It’s likely drivers will face delays as Trump’s motorcade travels from Doral to downtown Miami. Highways affected could be State Road 112 (Airport Expressway), State Road 836 (the Dolphin Expressway), State Road 826 (Palmetto Expressway), as well as I-95 ramps leading to the dense downtown area.

Northeast First Avenue between Third and Fifth streets in downtown Miami will be shut down. “Traffic will be an absolute nightmare,” said Keith Jones, reporting on the street for CBS News Miami.

Mass transit: Miami-Dade Transit say Metromover and Metrorail will operate normally, although the county agency says it’s “placing special attention” on downtown stations “to ensure safe and smooth operations.” Several bus routes face delays, the agency says.

PHOTOS: Scene at Trump’s hotel before his Miami court date

What are the plans for protests for Trump appearance?

Security: Miami police are preparing for protests and rallies in downtown Miami, with crowds from 5,000 to 50,000, the chief and mayor say. Security is being coordinated on local, state and federal levels, although authorities have not released specifics. The U.S. Marshals will take the lead in securing the courthouse. Possible protesters include members of the Proud Boys. Leaders of the extremist group were convicted of seditious conspiracy for planning to storm the Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021.

Weather: Protesters will face heat and rain in the forecast. The National Weather Service in Miami predicts a 60% chance of rain, mainly after 1 p.m. Tuesday. Temperatures will reach about 90, but it will feel like 102 outside, according to the weather service.

READ MORE: Trump may not sweat or get wet in Miami’s weather, but it doesn’t look good for others

What the indictment says