By Andrew Goudsward
Former U.S. President Donald Trump entered a plea of not guilty on Thursday to criminal charges in a revised federal indictment, accusing him of attempting to overturn his defeat in the 2020 election. Trump's lawyers made the plea on his behalf at a court hearing in Washington, following a U.S. Supreme Court ruling granting former presidents broad immunity from criminal prosecution.
The new indictment, issued in August, includes four charges related to Trump's alleged use of false claims of voter fraud to undermine the election results and prevent the certification of his defeat to Democratic President Joe Biden. The case, which had been delayed as Trump pursued his immunity claim, is unlikely to go to trial before the upcoming election.
Special Counsel Jack Smith, who brought the charges against Trump, is seeking to move the case forward, while Trump is pushing for a delay until after the election. The Supreme Court directed U.S. District Judge Tanya Chutkan to determine if any other parts of the case should be dismissed.
Smith argues that the remaining allegations are not covered by the immunity ruling and should proceed to trial, while Trump's lawyers claim the prosecution is politically motivated and aim to have the case dismissed based on the appointment of Smith as special counsel.
If Trump wins the election, he is expected to direct the Justice Department to drop the charges against him. However, the case could have significant implications for Trump's future and the outcome of the election.
Stay tuned for updates on this developing story as it unfolds.
