In Washington In one of the most important trials of the U.S. Constitution and its criminal justice system, former President Donald Trump entered a not guilty plea on Thursday to charges that he participated in criminal conspiracies to rig the 2020 presidential election results and maintain his power.
Trump not guilty overturn election loss: Trump was charged with conspiracy to defraud the United States, obstruction of justice, conspiracy to hinder an official investigation, and conspiracy against the right to vote and have one’s ballot counted when he was arraigned.
During the hearing, special counsel Jack Smith, who filed the case against Trump, was seated in the front row, roughly 10 feet away from the former president, who has called him a “deranged prosecutor.” Smith was in Trump’s line of sight, but Trump didn’t seem to want to look at him.
When asked to enter a plea, Trump stood and replied, “not guilty” on all charges.
Another unusual and unheard-of event in American history, the arraignment saw a former president and current front-runner for the Republican presidential nomination accused with attempting to undermine the foundation of democracy, a free and fair election. Trump has now been indicted in three different cases in three different locations over the past four months, making him the only former president to ever face criminal charges.
After the hearing, Trump told reporters at the airport that “this is a very sad day for America.” Trump has always denied any wrongdoing.
He declared, “This is the persecuting of a political rival.” In America, “this was never supposed to happen.”
American government vs. Donald J. Trump
The prosecution urged for a speedy trial in court, but Trump’s attorney John Lauro opposed the request. He cited the expected “massive” amount of information that they anticipate receiving from Smith’s team as a reason for the objection.
As soon as a protective order is issued, according to prosecutor Thomas Windom, the government will turn over a “substantial volume of discovery, including discovery that we are not currently obligated to turn over.”
Before U.S. District Court Judge Tanya Chutkan, who will be presiding over the case, Magistrate Judge Moxila A. Upadhyaya set a return date of August 28th. Trump can choose not to attend that session, according to her, and Chutkan hopes to set a trial date there.
Upadhyaya allowed the defence five days to respond after instructing Smith’s office to provide a proposal in seven days outlining their plan for when a trial should be established and how long they anticipate it would last.
Before the hearing began, Trump talked with his two attorneys, Todd Blanche and Lauro, who were seated next to him at the defence table. Trump had his hands clasped.
“Court Clerk Introduces ‘United States of America vs. Donald J. Trump’ Case with Release Terms Outlined by Judge”
The case was introduced by the court clerk as “United States of America vs. Donald J. Trump” and was heard by Upadhyaya for just under 30 minutes.
The government’s terms of release were outlined by Windom, among them the requirement that “the defendant must not communicate about the facts of the case to any individual known to be a witness except through counsel or in the presence of counsel.”
The judge further cautioned Trump, saying: “It is a crime to try to influence a jury or to threaten or attempt to bribe a witness or any other individual who may have information about your case, or to retaliate against anyone for providing information about your case to the prosecution, or to otherwise obstruct the administration of justice. Do you comprehend these cautions and repercussions, sir?
“Yes,” Trump answered.
If he disregarded the terms of his release, the judge said, “You may be held pending trial in this case.”
Three officers who worked on Jan. 6 — Metropolitan Police Department Officer Daniel Hodges, former Capitol Police Officer Aquilino Gonell, and Capitol Police Officer Harry Dunn — watched the arraignment from an overflow room at the courthouse. At least three federal court judges were spotted sitting in the back row of the courtroom for the proceeding.
Before the hearing, Trump was processed and his fingerprints were taken at the E. Barrett Prettyman Courthouse.
Soon after 2 p.m. ET, Trump left New Jersey, where he had been residing throughout the summer.
Soon after midday, Trump posted in all caps on his social media platform Truth Social, “I am now going to Washington, D.C. to be arrested for having challenged a corrupt, rigged & stolen election.” Just before 3 p.m., he arrived at Reagan National Airport on his personal aircraft bearing his last name.
“Not suitable”
Security was heightened in the area surrounding the courthouse. The measures were taken in preparation for the former president’s arrival. There were concerns about potential protests from both his supporters and adversaries.
According to a statement posted on social media on Wednesday, Secret Service spokesman Anthony Guglielmi said his organisation was “working closely with the Metropolitan Police Department, U.S. Marshals Service, U.S. Capitol Police, and the Federal Protective Service to ensure the highest levels of safety and security for the former president, while minimising disruptions to the normal court process.”
Trump will be digitally fingerprinted as part of the booking process, according to a Marshals Service official, but no mugshot will be taken. As his arrest photo, officials will use an already-existing image of the frequently photographed former president.
About 50 people, including numerous news organisations, had already gathered outside by 5 p.m. ET on Wednesday to watch the events.
Shortly after Trump entered the courtroom, a legal representative for his Save America PAC, Alina Habba, talked to reporters outside and insisted that Trump “used the law in an appropriate manner” in the weeks following the election. Habba pointed to the situation outside the courthouse and stated, “This is not appropriate.”
A third of a mile and about a block separate the courthouse from the Capitol complex and the U.S. Capitol building, respectively. On January 6, 2021, enraged Trump supporters stormed the Capitol building in an effort to stop the certification of their candidate’s defeat.
Smith’s office conducted a thorough investigation into Trump’s efforts to retain power after losing the election. On Tuesday, a federal grand jury made the decision to prosecute him based on the findings.
“Indictment Alleges Trump Involved in Three Criminal Schemes to Maintain Power”
According to the indictment, Trump participated in three criminal schemes that were all intended to maintain him in power.
Each of these conspiracies, according to the indictment, “targeted a bedrock function of the United States federal government: the nation’s process of collecting, counting, and certifying the results of the presidential election.” These conspiracies “built on the widespread mistrust the Defendant was creating through pervasive and destabilising lies about election fraud.”
This is the second lawsuit Smith has filed against Trump in the last two months. Smith indicted Trump on 37 counts in June Florida on suspicion of tampering with national security secrets and obstructing justice. Trump has entered a not guilty plea in this case, which he has dubbed “the boxes hoax.” Last Monday, Trump was charged with new counts in the case.
Trump was also charged with 34 felony counts of falsifying business records in New York criminal court in April after being hauled there for his alleged involvement in hush money payments towards the conclusion of his 2016 presidential campaign. There, he entered a not guilty plea to all of the charges.
In the three cases, Trump has been charged with 78 felonies in total.
In Fulton County, Georgia, a prosecutor is contemplating filing charges against Trump for attempting to overturn his election loss. This possible legal action is being carefully evaluated, and a decision could be made in the upcoming weeks. The discussions surrounding the case contribute to the ongoing debates regarding the former president’s actions and potential consequences.
On Thursday, Trump posted a remark on Truth Social that appeared to be an insult directed at Willis. The message stated, “I need one more indictment to ensure my election!”