Trump claims third indictment is political persecution.
Former President Donald Trump Pleads Not Guilty in 2020 Election Indictment
Former President Donald Trump expressed his dismay as he pleaded not guilty during his arraignment on Thursday. The charges against him are related to the 2020 election, and Trump referred to it as a “very sad day for America.”
“This is a persecution of a political opponent,” Trump told reporters on the airport tarmac. “This was never supposed to happen in America.”
Timeline of 2020 Election Investigations
Trump appeared in Washington’s federal courthouse, facing four felony counts brought by special counsel Jack Smith. The charges include 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.
“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,” Trump said.
During his statement, Trump criticized the state of Washington, D.C., highlighting the deterioration of its buildings and streets since he left office.
“It was also very sad driving through Washington, D.C., and seeing the filth and the decay and all of the broken buildings and walls and the graffiti,” Trump expressed.
Magistrate Judge Moxila Upadhyaya presided over the arraignment and outlined several conditions for Trump to comply with. One of the conditions is to refrain from contacting any witnesses related to the case unless his lawyers are present.
Interestingly, the same courthouse where Trump appeared has seen thousands of his supporters charged with federal crimes for their involvement in the January 6, 2021, riot at the U.S. Capitol.
This marks Trump’s third indictment this year, and the latest case involves six alleged co-conspirators, including attorneys and a Justice Department official.
Click here to read more from The Washington Examiner.
In early 2022, the Department of Justice initiated an investigation into Trump for retaining classified documents after leaving the White House. Smith indicted Trump in June, and the former president pleaded not guilty. Additionally, a Manhattan grand jury voted to indict Trump in March on charges of falsifying business records related to an alleged hush money payment to porn star Stormy Daniels.
The next hearing for Trump’s 2020 election indictment is scheduled for August 28, with U.S. District Judge Tanya Chutkan presiding. Judge Chutkan is known for delivering strict sentences in Capitol riot cases.
" Conservative News Daily does not always share or support the views and opinions expressed here; they are just those of the writer."
*As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases
