By Athena Papakosta

“Jesus Christ is my savior, Donald Trump is my president.” With this slogan printed on a short sleeve, a supporter of the former president of the United States explained speaking to the Associated Press news agency that he is Trump cannot be guilty in the case of classified documents found a year ago at his Mar-a-Lago Florida mansion.

He added that, even if he was guilty, he would continue to support him while questioning how fair the Justice is towards Trump compared to the “relaxed”, as he said, attitude of the prosecutors towards the current president of the country, Joe Biden and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton.

At the same time, the former president of the United States became the first ex-president of the country to face federal charges while, two months earlier, criminal charges had been brought against him for falsifying business records in the context of financing former porn star Stormy Daniels. And this time, Donald Trump has pleaded not guilty and as he is not considered a fugitive, he will continue to walk free with restrictive conditions until the case is finalized.

Journalists, television cameras and photographic lenses were not allowed inside the Federal Courtroom in Miami. But the Republican candidate created the opportunity to put on a show of his own. It started with a simple greeting outside the courtroom and continued with treats as he celebrates his 77th birthday today. After all, he himself is in the middle of his election campaign for the primaries of the Republican party.

The motorcade carrying him was broadcast in real time by major news media around the world.

Outside the court were gathered many of his supporters but also less anti-Trump. Some waved “Trump 2024” flags in support of his bid for the presidency, and others came to the scene calling for him to be jailed. During the day a mini-war of words broke out between the two camps.

At the same time, security measures were tight with police keeping the crowd at bay while Trump, behind the window of the SUV carrying him, had little interaction with the crowd until, now released after being charged with a total of 37 charges, he headed to Miami’s famous Cuban restaurant-café, Versailles, where all visiting politicians always stop. There his assembled fans sang Happy Birthday to him and he replied “What a birthday… This government is out of control”. He then headed back to the airport to fly his personal jet to New Jersey.

Trump faces a total of 37 charges including conspiracy, obstruction of justice, possession of classified documents, among others. He is accused of endangering the national security of the United States of America by possessing classified documents, including military secrets and information on the country’s nuclear weapons, after he had now left the White House after his defeat in the 2020 presidential election.