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Jul 27, 2023

Trump sneaks into courthouse using underground garage as ring of steel circles Capitol

Former president Donald Trump snuck into Washington using a secret underground garage as he arrived at his high-stakes court appearance, relating to four federal charges for his efforts to overturn

Former president Donald Trump snuck into Washington using a secret underground garage as he arrived at his high-stakes court appearance, relating to four federal charges for his efforts to overturn the 2020 election.

Police in Washington have imposed a security clampdown for the hearing, which will take place in a building that had a direct view of the violence that unfurled at the US Capitol on January 6, 2021.

Police set up barriers outside the federal court, a few blocks away from where Trump’s supporters stormed Congress in the deadly riot.

In addition, police officers and trained canines are patrolling the perimeter of the courthouse.

Anthony Guglielmi, a spokesperson for the Secret Service, said in a statement: “While the Secret Service does not comment on specific protective means or methods, we have the utmost confidence in the dedication and commitment to security shared by all of our law enforcement and government partners."

READ MORE: Trump could 'pardon himself' as President if convicted on charges

He added: “We are working closely with the Metropolitan Police Department, US Marshals Service, US Park Police, US Capitol Police and the Federal Protective Service to ensure the highest levels of safety and security for the former president, while minimizing disruptions to the normal court process.”

Trump travelled from his home in Bedminster, New Jersey to Newark to fly on his private plane - Trump Force One - into Washington's Reagan Airport. From there, a motorcade took him over the Potomac River and into the nation's capital.

The former Republican president is expected to plead not guilty to his four charges later today.

Secret Service warned of travel disruption in downtown Washington, as the judge in charge of the hearing has admitted to sleepless nights since being assigned the case - one of four that threaten Trump’s legal standing in the 2024 election.

District Judge Tanya Chutkan was told by a lawyer to “please be safe,” according to the Evening Standard. Chutkan said she is keeping her schedule clear “in case [she] can get out of town, which is increasingly looking like a good idea.”

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Unlike Trump’s other indictments, today’s hearing will play out in the E. Barrett Prettyman Federal Courthouse, the same place over 1,000 US Capitol rioters have faced justice.

Trump supporters who participated in the Capitol breach have gone through the motions of a first appearance hearing that the former president will go through himself today.

The courthouse has been where judges, defendants, lawyers, witnesses, jurors, and court officials have had to revisit the significance of the assault on Congress.

Judge Beryl Howell, who recently stepped down from her role as the DC district court’s chief judge, said at a January 2021 sentencing of a rioter: “Just outside this courthouse…are visible reminders of the January 6 riot and assault on the Capitol.”

Meanwhile, President Joe Biden has told CNN that he will not be following Trump’s arraignment today, as he is on a 10-day vacation in Rehoboth Beach, Delaware.