Donald Trump pleads not guilty on all counts
Donald Trump entered a plea of not guilty after the counts of the indictment were read to him by the judge, The Guardian reports.
The former president was arrested and arraigned on four felony counts outlined in special counsel Jack Smith’s indictment: conspiracy to defraud the United States, conspiracy to obstruct an official proceeding, obstruction of and attempt to obstruct an official proceeding and conspiracy against rights.
Trump has been defiant in his response to the indictment, but appeared quiet and restrained in the courtroom.
The former president sat at the defense table, folding and unfolding his hands. His plea of not guilty was quiet, almost imperceptible. In his remarks before and after his appearance in court, he was more of his usual self.
“When you look at what’s happening, this is a persecution of a political opponent,” he said at Ronald Reagan airport. “This was never supposed to happen in America.”
Smith this week said he was pursuing a “speedy trial”, and the magistrate judge seemed to follow suit.
Unlike Trump’s other legal cases, where the next court dates were scheduled for months later, the first hearing for this case will happen within the month. Trump’s lawyers challenged the swiftness of the proceedings but the date was not changed. “All we would ask, Your Honor, is the opportunity to fairly defend our client,” lawyer John Lauro said. “But in order to do that, we’re going to need a little time.”
Trump can still run for president if he is charged and even convicted.
The US constitution does not bar those convicted of a crime from running for president.
