3- August-2023- News Agencies
The overarching theme of the charges that Trump is facing is that he knowingly and repeatedly lied while attempting to overturn his defeat in the 2020 election.
Former US President Donald Trump has pleaded not guilty to federal charges related to his effort to overturn the 2020 United States presidential election.
Trump heard the four charges against him during a brief arraignment hearing in federal court in Washington, DC.
The former president has denied any wrongdoing and said he is the victim of a political “witch hunt”.
With Trump inside, carnival atmosphere continues outside courthouse
With Trump inside the courthouse in Washington, DC, a carnival atmosphere has continued outside the building.
On one side of the court, an impromptu punk band’s electric guitar was churning over lyrics condemning the former president and cursing white supremacy. On the other, a man dressed in American revolutionary garb was singing “God bless America” in support of the former president.
Behind the building, near the garage entrance where Trump’s car came through, anti-Trump protesters were dancing to Pharrell Williams’ “Happy” on a loud speaker.
The crowd where we are outside the courthouse is loud. Really, really loud.
Some of the language being used by Donald Trump’s supporters and detractors cannot be repeated.
But while you can’t measure it, you can certainly feel the atmosphere in this normally quiet area from both protesters and curious onlookers.
A reminder of the charges
Trump has arrived at court. There are no cameras allowed in the courtroom but we’ll bring you updates as our reporters send them from inside the building.
The overarching theme of the charges that Trump is facing is that he knowingly and repeatedly lied while attempting to overturn his defeat in the 2020 election.
He is accused of four counts:
conspiracy to defraud the US
conspiracy to obstruct an official proceeding
obstruction of an official proceeding
conspiracy against the rights of citizens
The first count refers to alleged attempts to obstruct the collection, counting and certification of votes.
The second and third deal with alleged attempts to obstruct the certification of electoral college votes in the US Congress on 6 January 2021, which culminated in the Capitol riot.
The fourth charge is about alleged attempt
