Trump pleads not guilty to 2020 election charges

Posted at 8:18 AM, August 3, 2023

(Scripps News) — Former President Donald Trump pleaded not guilty Thursday to charges related to his attempt to overturn the results of the 2020 presidential election.

Former President Donald Trump arrives at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport, Thursday, Aug. 3, 2023, in Arlington, Va., as he heads to Washington to face a judge on federal conspiracy charges alleging Trump conspired to subvert the 2020 election. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)

Trump arrived in Washington, D.C., about an hour before his hearing, and was driven directly to the E. Barrett Prettyman U.S. Courthouse.

Inside the courthouse, Trump went through the formal procedures ahead of the hearing. After entering a non-guilty plea, U.S. Magistrate Judge Moxila Upadyaha set the next hearing for Aug. 28, but Trump is not required to appear in person.

Trump was indicted on Tuesday on four counts, including conspiracy charges and obstructing or impeding the certification of the electoral vote.

Special counsel Jack Smith is leading the investigation into the alleged scheme to overturn the election and the events of January 6, 2021, when a group of Trump’s supporters stormed the U.S. Capitol in an attempt to stop Joe Biden from being certified as president.

Prosecutors allege that Trump orchestrated a scheme to stop the peaceful transfer of power after losing the 2020 presidential election.

Unlike the insurrection, only a handful of Trump supporters were seen outside the D.C. courthouse. No major disturbances were reported.

This story was originally published by Scripps News, an E.W. Scripps Company.