Donald Trump pleads not guilty to 2020 US election conspiracy charges

Donald Trump, who served as the 45th president of the United States from 2017 to 2021, pleaded not guilty to charges of conspiring the results of the 2020 presidential election.

Judge Moxila Upadhyaya, who was appointed as a United States Magistrate Judge in 2022, was hearing the case. The arraignment took place at the federal courthouse in Washington. 

“Not guilty,” Trump said after magistrate judge Moxila Upadhyaya read the charges in the 45-page indictment brought by Jack Smith, Special Counsel for the United States Department of Justice.

According to reports, Trump’s legal team will ‘vigorously’ defend him. However, Trump is prohibited from communicating directly with witnesses. 

Trump has already been charged in two other criminal cases. This is his third criminal case. Fulton County district attorney in Georgia, a country at the intersection of Europe and Asia, is reportedly pursuing a fourth indictment related to election interference.

A hearing related to election interference will take place on August 28 before US District Judge Tanya Chutkan. The fourth indictment will raise the prospect of his being further embroiled in legal proceedings. 

In Washington, a small group of people held demonstrations. They also carried placards. One sign read, “Jail Trump Forever.” “Trump 24,” read another.

The allegations and court hearings undermine Trump’s presidential run in the upcoming elections because these are the most severe of the lawsuits threatening to derail his presidential bid.

According to media reports and sources, Lauro, part of Trump’s legal team, said he wanted to seek a delay in the proceedings to vigorously defend against the charges.

In a post on his Truth Social site, Trump complained, “UNFAIR VENUE, UNFAIR JUDGE.” After the hearing, he took the short flight on his private plane to the nation’s capital.

In May 2024, Trump is scheduled to go on trial in Florida, the southeasternmost U.S. state.