Donald Trump pleaded not guilty on Thursday to charges he orchestrated a plot to try to overturn his 2020 election loss in what U.S. prosecutors call an unprecedented effort by the then-president to undermine the pillars of American democracy.
Special Counsel Jack Smith, who has overseen the federal investigation, looked on from the courtroom's front row as Trump entered his plea before U.S. Magistrate Judge Moxila Upadhyaya.
"Not guilty," Trump said, emphasizing the first word.
The arraignment, lasting about half an hour, took place in a Washington courthouse half a mile (1 km) from the U.S. Capitol, the building Trump's supporters stormed on Jan. 6, 2021, to try to stop Congress from certifying his defeat.
It was the third time Trump has pleaded not guilty since April, with months of pretrial legal wrangling expected against the backdrop of the 2024 presidential campaign, in which Trump is the front-runner for the Republican nomination to take on Democratic President Joe Biden.
In a 45-page indictment on Tuesday, Smith accused Trump and his allies of promoting false claims the election was rigged, pressuring state and federal officials to alter the results and assembling fake slates of electors to try to wrest electoral votes from Biden.
Trump, 77, faces four counts, including conspiracy to defraud the U.S., to deprive citizens of their voting rights and to obstruct an official proceeding. The most serious charge carries a maximum prison sentence of 20 years.
The next court date in the case will be Aug. 28 before U.S. District Judge Tanya Chutkan, though Upadhyaya said Trump would not be required to attend. Chutkan intends to set a trial date at that time, Upadhyaya said.
Trump's lawyer, John Lauro, registered an early objection, arguing that the magnitude of the case and the amount of materials involved could require a lot of time.
Prosecutor Thomas Windom countered that the case should proceed as normal, including with a speedy trial.
Trump was released without travel restrictions. One of his conditions of release is that he not discuss the case with any witnesses unless accompanied by his lawyers.
Trump has portrayed the indictment, as well as the other criminal cases against him, as a "witch hunt" intended to derail his White House campaign.
'SAD DAY FOR AMERICA'
"This is a very sad day for America," Trump told reporters after the hearing before boarding his private plane to return to his Bedminster, New Jersey, golf club. "This is a persecution of a political opponent."
Trump's first of two impeachments, in 2019, was for pressuring Ukraine to investigate Biden, his Democratic rival. Senate Republicans acquitted him of those charges.
Trump walked into the courtroom wearing a red tie and navy blue suit with an American flag lapel pin. About 10 Secret Service agents stood against the wall behind him.
He appeared to glance occasionally at Smith, who entered with his own security detail and the prosecutors assigned to the case.
When the court deputy read aloud the name of the case - "United States of America v. Donald J. Trump" - the former president shook his head in disapproval.
Trump previously pleaded not guilty to federal charges that he retained classified documents after leaving office and New York state charges that he falsified documents in connection with hush money payments to a porn star.
He may soon face more charges in Georgia, where a state prosecutor is investigating his attempts to overturn the election there. The Atlanta-area prosecutor, Fani Willis, has said she will file indictments by mid-August.
TRUMP STILL THE REPUBLICAN FRONT-RUNNER
Trump's legal woes have done little to damage his status as Republican front-runner. Forty-seven percent of Republican voters said they would support him in a new Reuters/Ipsos poll taken after Tuesday's indictment, extending his lead over second-place Florida Governor Ron DeSantis at 13%.
Three-quarters of Republicans said they agreed that the charges were "politically motivated," showing that Trump's claim that he is the victim of political persecution resonates with his base.
That said, the same poll found about half of Republicans said they would not vote for Trump if he were convicted of a felony, according to a new Reuters/Ipsos poll, underscoring the potential risks his legal entanglements pose for his candidacy.
Most prominent Republicans, including several competing with Trump for the White House, have either defended him or offered muted criticism, instead accusing the Biden administration of weaponizing the Justice Department against a campaign foe.
Biden declined to comment on the arraignment.
Many of the allegations in Tuesday's indictment had been well-documented in media reports and the investigation conducted by a U.S. House of Representatives select committee.
But the indictment featured some details that were not widely known, including several based on grand jury testimony and contemporaneous notes from former Vice President Mike Pence, who is also running for the Republican presidential nomination.
The indictment describes a phone call in which Pence told Trump there was no legal basis for the theory that Pence could block certification of the election.
"You're too honest," Trump responded, according to prosecutors.
Although Pence repeatedly told Trump he lacked the authority to reject electoral votes from certain states, Trump kept repeating the claim.
On Jan. 6, as he spoke to his supporters before they attacked the Capitol, Trump said: "If Mike Pence does the right thing, we win the election." Some rioters at the Capitol later chanted, "Hang Mike Pence!"
Far from deterred by the violence, Trump and his associates kept calling Republican members of Congress hours after the riot had ended, still intent on blocking certification, the indictment said.
Pence was one of the few Republicans to criticize Trump on Tuesday, saying that "anyone who puts himself over the Constitution should never be president."
© Thomson Reuters 2023.
76 Comments
Superlib
What a loser.
Bob Fosse
"I NEED ONE MORE INDICTMENT TO ENSURE MY ELECTION!" Trump wrote on his Truth Social media platform ahead of his Thursday court appearance.
Har! Yeah sure, go with that. Send him some money or you’re not a true American.
Newgirlintown
LOOOOOSER!
Yrral
Trump is clinical insane,like lots of his supporters,this judge will not have any nonsense from Trump
EFD
He has no defense because he did it. He's guilty AF.
He has no defense. This is not a free speech issue. Smith already cut the legs out of that one.
If he claims advice of counsel, it pierces attorney-client privilege and his co-conspirator lawyers go on the stand, which they may do anyway.
If he claims he just "believed" he won, there's multiple witnesses who can testify to the contrary. AND he would have to take the stand and we all know how that would go.
His only two defenses are insanity and stupidity.
u_s__reamer
The nightmare on Pennsylvania Avenue came down a swanky faux gold escalator and now with his fanciful "NOT guilty" plea he's found himself beginning his slide on a slippery slope down to a VIP cell in the pen.
bass4funk
I would think the Dems, the DOJ, and this admin are the ones that fit that description.
EFD
Such a political persecution that every significant witness is going to be a member of his administration that he named and who would have benefited from his re-election.
And they would agree to overturn the results of a free and fair election that he objectively demonstrably lost.
Some persecution.
Superlib
Bass' coping mechanism out of the gate.
EFD
He can't say "I didn't do these things" because he so obviously did.
He can't say "I was right because I won" because he demonstrably did not.
He's down to "I was lying but that's not a big deal" and "I'm being persecuted (by my former chief of staff and my former VP no less).
What a whining lows energy loser.
Cards fan
Haha one of the smartest and bestest posts I've read here. "I know you, but what am I?" Brilliant!
bass4funk
Nothing to cope
fxgai
This is unbecoming of America.
gcbel
Lock the grifter up.
Bob Fosse
Of course you would, you have to. Too late to admit otherwise now.
Still, this ‘admin’ won the election. That makes them by definition winners.
It’s deluded thinking that got your team into this mess, won’t help to get them out of it either.
If indictments help win the presidency maybe you shouldn’t go after Biden because apparently everyone loves a lawless maverick /s
EFD
No delays in this case.
No multiple defendants mucking up the schedule with multiple filings.
No classified information to be adjudicated.
No "inexperienced" judge in over her head.
This is a rocket docket jurisdiction which conservatives have always loved before.
This case is going to trial and we are very likely to get a verdict before the election.
Its going to be a guilty verdict and the American electorate (in the aggregate) is not going to elect a convicted felon with other felony indictments pending.
The American electorate is not going to elect a convicted coup plotter who is, not for nothing, also a convicted sex offender.
bass4funk
I don't have to do anything, it's evident to see what they're doing, but in the end, it does help the GOP going forward.
Nothing to admit.
Until the pendulum swings to the right again.
And it's the deluded thinking and the bombastic arrogant thinking of the Dems that think they are untouchable. Lol
Ahh, so just ignore the left and this President's growing crime allegations, you funny.
EFD
An homage to its idol the dear departed Prepare Herman no doubt.
Yrral
Bass4,you are clinical insane like Trump,you know a sitting judge would not let a prosecution go forward ,unless their is probably cause,the judge has seen the evidence and went over,but do have the power to declare him guilty,even if she knows he guilty
EFD
I like the part where the judge specifically warned defendant Trump that tampering with witnesses or retaliation against witnesses is a crime and required him to verbally acknowledge that he understood.
The judge also specifically warned him that while he could remain silent anything he says can be used against him.
In other words "Yap on social media and it can be entered into evidence against you."
That was telling.
EFD
Mike Peace is now selling "You're too honest" swag.
I kind of like snarky-Mike.
He will make a good witness. Mark Meadows too.
But Don has uno indicated co-conspirators Rudy, Sydney as well as the My pillow guy so I'm sure he'll be just fine.
Bob Fosse
No no. Don’t you see? Criminal indictments would only help him. You’d be sealing your fate and giving the Dems the next election on a silver platter. It’s obvious, right?
Despite the fact that more than half of Americans would disagree and oppose such weaponization of the DOJ in what would clearly be a political witch-hunt
Right? Is that how it goes?
Your pendulum is broken.
EFD
And all 5 Trump supporters who showed up made quite the impression, lol.
Yrral
Bass4,has no knowledge of law,but lawlessness
EFD
Don is getting fat again.
And where oh where is dear Melanie?
One would think she'd rush home to be by her man in his time of need?
Yeah, not so much.
bass4funk
Me? Actually, not sure if I should take that as a compliment or push harder against the swamp, thanks.
Uhh, I have been on this planet for a good minute now and if I have to revert to history, what you said is absolutely not true, it should be though, historically though....
Wouldn't that be prejudicial for predicting a person's innocence or guilt even before a trial has started?
Yrral
Judge generally know a person had committed a crime, because they usually issue the warrant
dagon
Deifying the Constitution is as bad as deifying a nonexistent spirit, both things Pence and the Republican Party are prone to.
Both are fallible human concepts, and require reflection and revision in light of current evidence.
Unfortunately I believe this is the strategy and he might not be wrong.
EFD
In his low energy whine before slithering away to his swap club, Don says "This is the kind of thing that is never supposed to happen in our country."
Also Don in 2016, "Lock her up!"
Also Don in 2020 demands that AG Barr arrest Joe Biden 5 weeks before the election.
Consistency, they name ain't Trump, lol.
Superlib
I want to see Trump's legal spending at $100 million by the end of the year, abd I want his supporters to pay fit every last dine of it. They can learn to do without a vacation this year.
wallace
Trump's PAC is broke. Holding just $4 million. Trump has spent $80 million on lawyers to date. Save America has spent over $20 million on legal fees this year.
Donald Trump PAC Broke Campaign Finance Laws—Former FEC Attorney
https://www.newsweek.com/donald-trump-pac-40million-save-america-legal-fees-1816552
EFD
An added benefit would be that if they gave all their money to Trump's legal "defense" fund, they wouldn't have any left for oxy. So in a way, Trump might be helping to fight the opioid epidemic as well!
EFD
Melanie better hurry and submit those "consulting" invoices while she still can!
gcbel
Not the sharpest tools in the shed these MAGA cultists.
bass4funk
But the Dems defying and trampling over it doesn’t concern you in the least??? Wow! Now that definitely woke me up, and I didn’t even have my Kilimanjaro yet.
Thankfully, there are a lot of us that can afford it.
He will be fine, this is why you want to learn about investments and then there are the donors and let’s not forget the media that’s trying to pain doom and gloom here, nice try.
EFD
It would if there were a scintilla of evidence, but there isnt, so its not.
You've got bunk with a slice of idiocy and a side order of crap.
"Kilimanjaro", eh? That's what they call it in certain circles?
wallace
Trump's third indictment.
lincolnman
Geez, that top picture really says it all...a tired, old, overweight senior citizen, weighed down with three serious criminal indictments...knowing a fourth one is imminent...each one having evidence of his own self-incrimination...
But the fleece must go on - he's burned through almost $100 million in lawyers fees - all scammed from his MAGA-flock who thought they were contributing to his campaign...
The so-called "billionaire" - who is forced to grovel for money at every campaign stop...
As bad as he looks, one wonders how long he is going to last at Leavenworth....
EFD
One more and he gets a 20% discount on Ozempic! Ask your Dr if Ozempic is right for you!
(Side effects include loss of bowel control, loss of sanity and public derision. If you have xenophobic thoughts or are vulnerable to idiot conspiracy theories, Ozempic might make them worse.)
He obviously needs it.
dagon
It is deifying no defying, and Trump does both.
Constitutional absolutism is a doctrine the Repubs use for the judiciary and legislation and leads to bad results like with the current 2nd Amendment issues and others.
Trump will wrap himself in the flag and Constitution, and also suspend it on a whim.
bass4funk
There is, bank records, video and audio tapes don’t lie, come on, try again.
You just summed up the DOJ in a nutshell.
Never compromise on quality, even if it’s a cupful.
EFD
His lawyers couldn't possibly be stupid enough to put him on the stand could they?
Because that's the only way to present a state of mind defense.
EFD
Every judge on the DC circuit wss in the court room to witness precedings today.
That never happens.
EFD
Bunk lies and crap.
Almost as much as when you claimed that "illegals" were voting, which is zero.
But you do have a fugitive from justice, so there's that.
Go with that. Lets see how that goes.
lincolnman
It's quite telling how consistent Trump's defense is in all of his indictments...
Stormy payoff case: I'm so dumb, I didn't know the check I was signing for $30K was going to the porn star I had a fling with...
Classified stash and steal: I'm so dumb, I didn't know the difference between the thick classified warplan I was waving around showing uncleared people and newspaper clippings...
Jan 6th: I'm so dumb, I was easily convinced by these kooky lawyers and hangers-on who came up with these hair-brained, crazy schemes to draft fake electors and seize voting machines....
Georgia election: I'm so dumb, I didn't know it was illegal to call the Sec of State and ask him to "find 10,740 votes" that didn't exist....
I have to say, the man makes an accurate self-assessment...though as a legal strategy, it just guarantees him a nice cell at Leavenworth...
bass4funk
Then the Dems should stop, no one told them to take this route.
I’m from California, that’s like saying Disneyland doesn’t exist.
And the GOP are working hard to to bring that person to Justice, give it time, the House Republicans are on it.
Most definitely.
wtfjapan
I would think the Dems, the DOJ, and this admin are the ones that fit that description.
how so, Trump is the one that has lost every case he went to court with over election fraud, over 70 cases,
he has yet to win one. even having to pay Hillary 100k for his frivolous lawsuit he lost. 1 million in fines
so far Trump org 17 counts guilty verdicts of tax fraud, and Trump guilty of sexual assault and defamation, 2nd defamation case still pending. this is just the start.
Hows that 7 month Hunter investigation going, GOP cant find any evidence that Joe was even involved.
House committee doesnt mean squat, cant indict, cant convict, only a court of law can do that. Just like Hillary investigations , 0 indictments 0 convictions. 7yrs of lock her up, nothing burger.
Trumps administration 240+ criminal indictments under his DOJ , LOL. Biden 0
if you think Trump is winning, id hate to think what losing is. LOL
EFD
The other judges weren't in court because they were curious. They were showing solidarity with the judge and to the rule of law.
I said on January 6th " There WILL be a reckoning."
One does not attempt a coup to overturn an election that one obviously and demonstrably lost and then just walk away as if it were a no-harm, no-foul type of thing.
The reckoning cometh.
dagon
No that happened with Reagan, neo-liberalism, Iran-Contra and the whole conservative putsch in the 80's in the good ole USA.
Trump is the metastasis of that.
Yrral
Wallace the DOJ has the power to investigate foreigner,who became American citizen for fraud
EFD
Any ideas on who co-conspirator #6 is?
I doubt it's Stevie 3-chins Bannon or Rodger Stone.
My money is on Boris Epstein or Steven "Paul Shore on meth" Miller.
Superlib
That's right, Bass. You can afford to fork over your money to a billionaire. It's just sweeter that way. Makes me amile.
wallace
Yrral
Once again you have no idea what you are talking about but continue to post these fake claims. Do you have something against me?
The DOJ has zero authority in Japan.
Nothing to do with the topic/
bass4funk
When we all work together, it helps buddy
wallace
Poor MAGA and Save America supporters will be handing over their dollars.
EFD
This is laughably false and in atrocious grammar as well.
Be quiet, Yarral. The adults are talking.
There's a good boy.
wtfjapan
And the GOP are working hard to to bring that person to Justice, give it time, the House Republicans are on it.
their latest witness clearly stated that Hunter and Joe never discussed business in his presence or on te phone, the prior 2 witnesses were being investigated by the DOJ for spying for the chinese, smuggling arms and oil for the Iranians, this is the GOP credible witness. LOL. try using those witness in a court of law, theyd be dismantled quicker than you can blink
republicans are on it LOL , they've got nothing, but hang one well get Hunter, just wait. just around the corner.
our opinions and disinformation will get him, LOL
House committee cant indict, cant convict, just scream out their hurt feelings.
remind me not to vote for Hunter next election, oops hold on LOL
wallace
bass4funk
you have posted your PAC donations?
lincolnman
Indeed....
"An analysis of Trump’s tax records by the Times shows that the President holds a previously unreported bank account in China that was not included on his public financial disclosures. The President’s tax records show he has invested at least $192,000 in five companies established to pursue projects in China over multiple years, according to the Times."
https://www.foxnews.com/politics/trump-china-bank-account-hotel-deals-tax-records
They sure don't...
"Wait a minute, let's see here. I just found, isn't that amazing?" Trump says. "Except it is like, highly confidential. Secret. This is secret information. Look, look at this. This was done by the military and given to me. As president I could have declassified, but now I can't."
https://abcnews.go.com/US/secret-information-trump-audio-recording-talks-declassifying-documents/story?id=99960824
Indeed you did - well done...
bass4funk
No difference than handing it to the left.
wtfjapan
When we all work together, it helps buddy
absolutely, as long as your opinions are supported by the facts and evidence.
lies, disinformation, misinformation only help Americans enemies especially when theyre instigated by Americans
EFD
Add some makeup, A bow tie and a nerdy bike and you could be Pee-wee.
Just stay out of the adult movie theaters and away from the kiddies.
sunfunbun
Bill Barr on Trump is very interesting. He is a staunch Republican, through and through. He was being used as a puppet in the Justice dept. by Trump, and that is a black mark on Barr to allow his judgment to be questioned in lieu of Trump's thinking that the FBI should be controlled by him and be loyal to whatever he wants. Which of course goes against the 3 branches of government in our system of checks and balances. That alone is an indicator Trump doesn't want our democracy, he wants a fascist govt. led by himself.(it's proof positive that anyone who agrees with him and attempt of his bullying of the FBI wants a fascist govt., and only one part of a multi faceted attack on democracy by Trump).
Barr is adamant that Trump is guilty on the indictments, that they are legal and warranted, and that Trump should not be raising money(he claims to be a multi billionaire) from people so they, the poor, can feed his legal fees. What a gaslight by Trump on his followers, and they're too ignorant to understand the lies.
He states Trump should not be allowed to be anywhere near the Oval Office. Barr is not a fan of Biden. Neither am I. For me, though, still a much better an option than Trump. Barr makes the statement of Trump should not be anywhere near the White House, yet, doesn't say he wouldn't vote for him in 2024. It doesn't sound like he would, but who knows with the right, many are quite insane. Barr can sound sane, but then he can turn on a dime as shown when he was kissing up to Trump.
bass4funk
Yes! That is precisely why I made that statement.
Well, that is why the House Republicans are going after the big guy and DOJ
Who?
What?
Yrral
Google DOJ Investigation Power Of American Living In Foreign Countries
wallace
bass4funk
The Democrats are not requesting donations for lawyers and legal funds.
EFD
Google off-topic irrelevant bunk.
Shhhh. The adults are talking.
wallace
Yrral
If you don't stop stalking me with your fake claims I will make a complaint.
bass4funk
What?
If that’s so then why do the Dems get all flustered and flipped out every time when the Republicans bring out some new evidence? Again, every single time.
The Senate is one seat away from flipping, careful now, if Harry Reid were alive he would caution Dems to not walk in his footsteps.
Not yet……
EFD
When (not if) don is convicted, this judge has a record of giving stiff sentences going above the prosecution request multiple times time.
Oops. That's not good news for the Ronald.
(So much for the "soft on crime" myth...)
bass4funk
Thank god for appeals, let’s not forget his constitutional rights to be sentenced later (if it even comes to that) after the election
More like bad news for this judge and the constitution.
Or political persecution
wtfjapan
Thank god for appeals, let’s not forget his constitutional rights to be sentenced later
actually in most cases sentencing is at the discretion of the judge
EFD
Appeals are for errors in the case. They aren't because you don't like the sentence.
Judges have wide latitude in imposing sentences and as long as the sentence isn't egregious, it stands.
All of her sentences have stood thus far.
You really don't know very much about the law.
wtfjapan
If that’s so then why do the Dems get all flustered and flipped out every time when the Republicans bring out some new evidence? Again, every single time.
thats just it, its not evidence its the GOP opinions and disinformation, THE Dems are doing a great job of calling them out for it and proving that their so called evidence isnt that. The GOP has had 7 months, all their evidence has resulted in 0 indictments and 0 convictions.
Look at the Dems committee all the evidence they accumulated was forwarded to the DOJ and now you're seeing the indictments as a result of that.
EFD
Snowflake goober-tears, lol.
Bob Fosse
How many appeals has 45 won so far?