Media outnumber protesters at Miami court before Trump’s appearance

Miami mayor Francis Suarez has said the city is ready to handle any protests, and that local law enforcement has experience handling large demonstrations.

Journalists line up to be admitted to the building (Rebecca Blackwell/AP)

Hundreds of journalists from around the world gathered on Tuesday outside the court in central Miami where former US president Donald Trump will make his first appearance on criminal charges that he improperly held on to classified documents.

Protests were scheduled for later in the day by Trump backers who have criticised the felony charges, though the number of supporters and those opposing him were a fraction of the crowd compared with the media.