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Former President Donald Trump was arraigned on four charges related to Special Counsel Jack Smith's investigation at the E. Barrett Prettyman Courthouse in Washington, D.C., on Thursday (August 3) afternoon.
Last week a federal grand jury investigating the efforts to overturn the 2020 presidential election and the riot at the U.S. Capital, on January 6, 2021, indicted Trump on charges of 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 pleaded not guilty in front of Magistrate Judge Moxila A. Upadhyaya. Trump was ordered not to discuss the case with any witnesses except in the presence of legal counsel.
The first hearing for the case has been set for August 28.
The trial will be overseen by U.S. District Judge Tanya Chutkanb, who has previously imposed long sentences on people convicted of being involved in the Capitol riot.
As Trump arrived at the courthouse, well over 100 protesters and Trump supporters gathered outside. While both sides got into loud screaming matches, the scene has been mostly peaceful.
Trump is also facing a possible indictment in Georgia, where prosecutors are investigating his efforts to overturn the results of the election.
Despite being indicted three times since leaving office, Trump continues to hold a sizable lead over other challengers in the Republican presidential primary.