A circuslike atmosphere spread across the grounds of the federal courthouse where former President Donald J. Trump was set to appear on Tuesday, with
A circuslike atmosphere spread across the grounds of the federal courthouse where former President Donald J. Trump was set to appear on Tuesday, with hundreds of reporters in downtown Miami alongside those who wanted to be seen and heard.
The small but colorful crowd included dozens of Trump supporters and a handful of critics, many dressed eccentrically to get their messages across on camera.
There was the Uncle Sam who sped around the courthouse grounds on a two-wheeled hoverboard singing pro-Trump songs, the woman with a unicorn horn affixed to her forehead who wore an “Aunt-ifa” shirt and chanted derisively about the former president, and the man in a black-and-white jail jumpsuit carrying a sign that read, “Lock Him Up.”
Adding to the buzz of the sunbaked scene — temperatures had reached 88 degrees by lunchtime — were trucks with flags and loudspeakers, and several people on foot with selfie sticks who broadcast live video streams to thousands of viewers while weaving in and out of the crowds.
“This is craaaazy,” shouted one pro-Trump streamer, Rafael Gomez, as he walked among the palm trees in front of the tall, shimmering courthouse. “Welcome to the banana republic of Miami!”
Also seeking to capture an audience were more established conservative figures, such as the Republican presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy, who held a news conference in front of the courthouse defending Mr. Trump and said that he would pardon his campaign rival if elected.
In an interview following his news conference, Mr. Ramaswamy said that despite his defense, he would not have done what Mr. Trump is accused of. “I wouldn’t have taken the boxes,” he said. “I’m not a memento guy. Not my style.”
There were some brief verbal arguments between Trump supporters and critics, but no serious confrontations by lunchtime. The police largely stayed out of the way, observing from close by while a helicopter circled overhead.
At one point, however, Homeland Security and Miami Police officers urgently closed in and began clearing a large area of the courthouse grounds. They investigated a large TV that had been affixed to a pole on the sidewalk and bore a message criticizing what it called “the Communist controlled news media.” About an hour later, the police removed the television and reopened the area.
Nearby, Carlos Brito, 66, sold American flags for $5. Mr. Brito, who immigrated from Cuba in 1980, said he supported Mr. Trump and criticized President Biden for sending money to support Ukraine while Americans struggled financially. “Look how much a cup of coffee costs here,” he said. “We need help here at home.”
A Trump critic, Scott Linnen, 61, of Miami, said he came to the courthouse because he has grown distraught over the direction of the country. As a gay man, he said he has seen a rise in anti-L.G.B.T. rhetoric, hate speech and extremist behavior on the right.
“This man tried to overthrow the 247-year-old American experiment,” he said of Mr. Trump’s efforts to overturn the 2020 election. “I don’t understand why more people’s hair isn’t on fire.”
www.nytimes.com