In what US prosecutors describe an unprecedented attempt by the then-president to destroy the foundations of American democracy, Donald Trump entered a not-guilty plea on Thursday to federal accusations that he planned a plot to try to recoup his 2020 election loss.
The third plea for Trump in the past four months marks the beginning of months of pretrial legal battle that will take place against the backdrop of the 2024 presidential campaign, in which Trump is the front-runner for the Republican candidature to challenge Democratic President Joe Biden.
In a 45-page indictment on Tuesday, Special Counsel Jack Smith, who has overseen the investigation, accused Trump and his allies of promoting false claims the election was rigged, pressuring state and federal officials to alter the results and assembling fake slates of electors to try to wrest electoral votes from Biden.
Trump, 77, faces four counts, including conspiracy to defraud the US, to deprive citizens of their right to have their votes counted and to obstruct an official proceeding. The most serious charge carries a maximum prison sentence of 20 years.
The third plea for Trump in the past four months marks the beginning of months of pretrial legal battle that will take place against the backdrop of the 2024 presidential campaign, in which Trump is the front-runner for the Republican candidature to challenge Democratic President Joe Biden.
In a 45-page indictment on Tuesday, Special Counsel Jack Smith, who has overseen the investigation, accused Trump and his allies of promoting false claims the election was rigged, pressuring state and federal officials to alter the results and assembling fake slates of electors to try to wrest electoral votes from Biden.
Trump, 77, faces four counts, including conspiracy to defraud the US, to deprive citizens of their right to have their votes counted and to obstruct an official proceeding. The most serious charge carries a maximum prison sentence of 20 years.
