Trump stops at famed Miami Cuban restaurant Versailles after federal arraignment
Trump's motorcade left the federal courthouse and headed straight to the restaurant on Southwest 8th Street in Little Havana
By NBC6 ••
NBC Universal, Inc.
Former President Donald Trump made a quick stop at famed Miami Cuban restaurant Versailles shortly after leaving a federal courtroom where he pleaded not guilty to dozens of felony counts. NBC6’s Jessica Vallejo reports
Former President Donald Trump made a quick stop at famed Miami Cuban restaurant Versailles on Tuesday, shortly after leaving a federal courtroom where he pleaded not guilty to dozens of felony counts that accused him of hoarding classified documents and refusing government demands to give them back.
Trump's motorcade left the federal courthouse and headed straight to the restaurant on Southwest 8th Street in Little Havana.
He was greeted by supporters who took photos with and even sang "Happy Birthday" to Trump, who will be celebrating his 77th birthday on Wednesday.
“Some birthday. Some birthday,” he said. “We’ve got a government that is out of control.”
Trump joined in a prayer inside the packed eatery then spent a few minutes chatting with people including Florida State Sen. Ileana Garcia and former UFC fighter Jorge Masvidal before leaving the restaurant.
“The atmosphere was electric. Everyone’s favorite president of all time just walked in through the doors," Masvidal told NBC6.
The fighter was one of the many inside the restaurant who feel this is a political witchhunt.
“Trump being indicted for the second time shows how much they don’t want him to be in power because he’s the only one that will fight for us," Masvidal said. "And the higher-ups, the ones that control the world, don’t want to see him have that type of power again.”
Versailles began as a small coffee shop in 1971 but quickly became a social, cultural and political hot spot in Miami, as well as a required stop for high-profile politicians who visit the city.
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Former US President Donald Trump arrives to the Wilkie D. Ferguson Jr. United States Courthouse in Miami, June 13, 2023.
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Former President Donald Trump arrives at the Wilkie D. Ferguson Jr. United States Federal Courthouse where he is scheduled to be arraigned on June 13, 2023 in Miami. Trump is scheduled to appear in federal court for his arraignment on charges including possessing national security documents after leaving office, obstruction and making false statements.
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Former President Donald Trump and his motorcade arrives at the Wilkie D. Ferguson Jr. United States Courthouse in Miami, June 13, 2023.
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The motorcade for former President Donald Trump arrives to the Wilkie D. Ferguson Jr. United States Courthouse in Miami, June 13, 2023.
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Trump supporters gather outside the Wilkie D. Ferguson Jr. United States Federal Courthouse as former President Donald Trump appears for his arraignment on June 13, 2023, in Miami.
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Trump supporters and protesters hold signs in front of the Wilkie D. Ferguson Jr. United States Courthouse before the arraignment of former President Donald Trump in Miami, June 13, 2023. Trump is appearing in court for an arraignment regarding 37 federal charges, including violations of the Espionage Act.
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Alina Habba, lawyer for former President Donald Trump, right, arrives at Wilkie D. Ferguson Jr. United States Federal Courthouse in Miami, June 13, 2023.
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Miami police officers walk past onlookers gathered outside the Wilkie D. Ferguson Jr. United States Federal Courthouse in Miami, June 13, 2023.
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Trump supporters in front of the Wilkie D. Ferguson Jr. United States Courthouse before the arraignment of former President Donald Trump in Miami, June 13, 2023.
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Supporters of former President Donald Trump outside the Wilkie D. Ferguson Jr. United States Courthouse in Miami, Florida, June 13, 2023. Trump is due in a Miami federal court to face charges alleging he jeopardized national security by violating the Espionage Act, even as he leads the Republican field for next year’s presidential race.
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A protester holds a sign in front of the Wilkie D. Ferguson Jr. United States Courthouse before the arraignment of former President Donald Trump in Miami, June 13, 2023.
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Miami police officers investigate a suspicious item near the media area outside the Wilkie D. Ferguson Jr. United States Federal Courthouse where former President Donald Trump is scheduled to be arraigned later in the day on June 13, 2023 in Miami.
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Miami police cordon off an area due to a suspicious device near the Wilkie D. Ferguson Jr. United States Federal Courthouse where former President Donald Trump is scheduled to be arraigned later in the day on June 13, 2023 in Miami.
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A Trump supporter shows his support in front of the Wilkie D. Ferguson Jr. United States Courthouse before the arraignment of former President Donald Trump in Miami, June 13, 2023.
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Republican presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy talks to the media about the FOIA request regarding former President Donald Trump’s indictment case outside of the Wilkie D. Ferguson Jr. United States Federal Courthouse, June 13, 2023 in Miami. The long shot GOP hopeful have pledged to pardon Trump if he were to win the 2024 presidential election.
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A protestor holds a “Lock Him Up” sign outside the Wilkie D. Ferguson Jr. United States Courthouse in Miami, Florida, June 13, 2023. Former President Donald Trump is due in a Miami federal court to face charges alleging he jeopardized national security by violating the Espionage Act, even as he leads the Republican field for next year’s presidential race.
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A supporter of former President Donald Trump demonstrates outside of the Wilkie D. Ferguson Jr. United States Courthouse in Miami, June 13, 2023.
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A supporter of former President Donald Trump demonstrates outside of the Wilkie D. Ferguson Jr. United States Courthouse in Miami, June 13, 2023.
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A “Homeless 4 Trump” sign hangs on a makeshift tent outside the Wilkie D. Ferguson Jr. United States Courthouse in Miami, June 13, 2023.
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Supporters of former President Donald Trump gather outside of Trump Tower in New York City on June 13, 2023. The former president and 2024 presidential hopeful is appearing in court in Miami for an arraignment regarding 37 federal charges, including violations of the Espionage Act, making false statements, and conspiracy regarding his mishandling of classified material after leaving office.
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A Department of Homeland Security police officer stands near the Wilkie D. Ferguson Jr. United States Federal Courthouse before the arraignment of former President Donald Trump on June 13, 2023 in Miami, Florida.
The Versailles gathering was a stark contrast from his earlier court appearance, when Trump became the first former president to face a judge on federal charges. The history-making arraignment kickstarts a legal process that will unfold at the height of the 2024 presidential campaign.
Trump has denied wrongdoing and slammed the prosecution as politically motivated. He's expected to return later Tuesday to New Jersey, where he’s scheduled a press event to publicly respond to the charges.
