The former U.S. President, Donald Trump, declared his plea of not guilty in response to a four-count federal indictment. The charges alleged that he had engaged in illegal attempts to overturn his 2020 reelection loss and thereby extend his time in the White House for another four years.
Trump, who has consistently denied any wrongdoing amidst the array of allegations against him, made a rare appearance in the U.S. capital, 2½ years after being voted out of office after a single term.
Amidst heightened security at the U.S. Courthouse, Trump attended a half-hour arraignment, answering standard questions from U.S. Magistrate Judge Moxila Upadhyaya. He provided his full name, Donald John Trump, stated his age, 77, and affirmed that he was not under the influence of any drugs.
Upadhyaya read the charges against Trump, accusing him of conspiring against the United States to subvert the election results in favor of Democrat Joe Biden, who is now the U.S. President. The judge also informed Trump of the potential lengthy prison sentences he could face if found guilty.
In his usual dark blue suit and red tie, Trump expressed his plea of not guilty to the 45-page indictment, which was presented by the federal grand jury under the direction of Justice Department special counsel Jack Smith. During the hearing, Smith was present in the courtroom, but there was no apparent interaction between the two adversaries.
Trump sat attentively at the defense table, listening to the judge’s statements while clenching his hands. Before the hearing began, he remarked on the quiet atmosphere in the courtroom. Trump’s fingerprints had already been taken during the booking process, and his mug shot was waived, given his universal recognition.
The next hearing in the case is scheduled for August 28 and will be conducted by U.S. District Judge Tanya Chutkan, who was randomly selected to oversee Trump’s trial. Upadhyaya mentioned that Chutkan was willing to waive Trump’s appearance at the first hearing if he chooses not to attend.