Trump greeted at his Doral hotel by supporters, protesters, day before his Miami court date

In the parking lot of the Carolina Ale House and across the street from the Trump National Doral hotel, a parked truck was decked out in “Trump 2024,” “Let’s Go Brandon,” and “Don’t Tread On Me,” flags.

A small poster featured pro-Trump bumper stickers for sale. A black Cadillac Escalade held up a giant white flag that featured “Trump Won” in blue letters and “Save America” in smaller, red letters.

Standing on the sidewalk, a group of about 40 people decked out in pro-Trump gear moved through bursts of “Trump is innocent” and “We love Trump” chants, waving at cars honking in support. Some were from Miami, with signs in Spanish; there was a father-son duo from Fort Lauderdale. Others came from out of state.

All were there Monday to get a glimpse of former President Donald Trump, who arrived at the hotel in a motorcade Monday afternoon, a day before he is expected to be arraigned in federal court in Miami Tuesday. He was indicted last week and faces 37 charges that accuse him of sharing defense secrets with unauthorized persons, mishandling classified documents after leaving office and obstructing the government’s efforts to retrieve the records from his Palm Beach estate, Mar-a-Lago.

As he entered through the hotel’s front lobby, alongside his son, Eric, supporters screamed, “We love you.” Trump waved and asked the small crowd, “Everyone good?”

Many of the supporters Monday called out President Joe Biden, alluding to the classified documents found in his Wilmington, Del., residence and at a think-tank office in Washington, D.C., that Biden used for a handful of years. (Experts have explained why the two cases are different.)

One said the indictment — “whatever is in it” — is “just one sided.” The detailed indictment outlined Trump’s alleged crimes.

Another, Pete Crotty, the driver of the pickup truck decked out in pro-Trump tchotchkes, said, “They [are] picking away at Trump.”

“I don’t think I’m a nut bag,” he said, “but this is like Russia and China where they have their political opponents arrested and persecuted.” Crotty, who drove from Orlando, said “bus loads” of supporters were expected at the Miami federal courthouse Tuesday.

While most people who came out Monday were supporters of Trump, there were a few counter protesters.

Xavier Presley, a Miami native, arrived wearing a suit jacket and cap covered with the words “[expletive] Trump.” The self-proclaimed anit-Trumper said he’s been to more than 100 rallies since 2016.

He said the indictment is “very serious,” but argued the former president is “going to get off.”

Domenic Santana shared similar sentiments. He called the charges “very serious and dangerous,” but said Trump already “has his spin,” which is that he is running for president in 2024.

“I came out today because this is the wolf’s den. I am not afraid of Trump’s mob or his cult,” he said. A native Cuban, Santana was carrying a plastic ball and chain and a sign that read, “lock him up.”

“I forgot the handcuffs, but I’ll bring those tomorrow.”

This story was originally published June 12, 2023 at 3:39 PM.