Donald Trump stares down judge as he pleads not guilty to four federal charges in 2020 election interference case
FORMER President Donald Trump has pleaded not guilty as he appeared for his arraignment on charges related to efforts to overturn the 2020 presidential election.
Trump, who is facing his third indictment since leaving office in January 2021, appeared before Magistrate Judge Moxila Upadhyaya in Washington, DC, on Thursday as his string of legal troubles continues.
When asked to state his age, Trump, wearing his signature navy blue suit and red tie, stumbled, saying: “Seven-seven. 77.”
Judge Upadhyaya then asked if he had taken any medications or anything that would make him unable to respond, and he replied, “No, I have not.”
The former president sat between his attorneys, John Lauro and Todd Blanche, with a bleak expression as he stood up at the defense table, stared down the judge, and entered a not-guilty plea.
Trump will be released on the condition that he does not communicate with witnesses in the case.
'THIS WAS NEVER SUPPOSED TO HAPPEN'
After the hearing, Trump flew back to DC where he told reporters: "When you look at what's happening, this is a persecution of a political opponent."
"This was never supposed to happen in America," he continued.
"This is the persecution of the person that's leading by very, very substantial numbers in the Republican primary and leading Biden by a lot.
"So if you can't beat him, you persecute them or you prosecute him. We can’t let this happen in America."
Shouting matches erupted between supporters and protesters, who were seen screaming, "Lock him up!"
The former president was escorted out of the federal courthouse in a motorcade.
He is due back in court on August 28 at 10am.
"I AM NOW GOING TO WASHINGTON, D.C., TO BE ARRESTED FOR HAVING CHALLENGED A CORRUPT, RIGGED, & STOLEN ELECTION," Trump .
"IT IS A GREAT HONOR, BECAUSE I AM BEING ARRESTED FOR YOU. MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN!!!"
He also appeared to threaten revenge against the in a separate post.
"BUT SOON, IN 2024, IT WILL BE OUR TURN. MAGA!"
The former president has been charged with four counts, including conspiracy to defraud the , conspiracy to obstruct an official proceeding, obstruction of and attempt to obstruct an official proceeding, and conspiracy against rights.
If found guilty of all counts, Trump faces a maximum combined sentence of 55 years in jail.
The rally turned violent when the MAGA mob breached Capitol Hill, smashing through windows, doors and clashing with Capitol police officers.
Four rioters died during the siege, including Ashli Battitt, 34, a former Air Force veteran who was shot by a Capitol police officer, Kevin Greeson, 55, who suffered a heart attack during the breach, Rosanne Boyland, 34, and Benjamin Philips, 50.
Capitol police officer Brian Sicknick was also killed during the incident.
In the years since the siege, over 1,000 rioters were arrested and hit with a slew of federal charges, including assault on law enforcement officials, violent entry and disorderly conduct on Capitol grounds, trespassing, and disrupting Congress.
As of May, approximately 485 defendants have been sentenced - 277 have been sentenced to time behind bars, while 113 were sentenced to home detention.
TRUMP'S LEGAL WOES
Trump is also facing charges in a separate case brought by special counsel Jack Smith, where he's accused of mishandling national secret documents after leaving in 2021.
The executed a search warrant on Trump's Mar-a-Lago estate in on August 8, 2022, searching the residence for classified material the president is accused of taking after leaving office.
Federal officials found more than 80 boxes filled with classified documents in Trump's estate, including six with the highest level of classification in his office, according to court records.
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Meanwhile, over in , the former president was charged by a Manhattan district judge in connection with hush money payments to adult film star Stormy Daniels and Playboy model Karen McDougal ahead of the 2016 presidential election.
Trump has pleaded not guilty in all the cases.