WASHINGTON—Former President Trump has pleaded not guilty to a third set of criminal charges.
Wearing his trademark blue suit, white shirt, and red tie, Mr. Trump, 77, appeared before Magistrate Judge Moxila Upadhyaya on Aug. 3 in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia, in the nation’s capital.
Flanked by his attorneys, John Lauro on his left and Todd Blanche on his right, Mr. Trump sat at the defense table with a serious expression and occasionally looked at special counsel Jack Smith, the prosecutor who brought the charges against him.
A 45-page indictment, filed on Aug. 1 by Mr. Smith, charges Mr. Trump with criminal conspiracies to defraud the United States, to obstruct the certification of votes for President Joe Biden on Jan. 6, 2021, and against citizens’ right to vote.
Mr. Trump cracked a brief smile after he was sworn in; he listened and nodded as the judge spoke, reading aloud the charges and penalties he faces.
The former president rose to his feet and remained standing while Mr. Lauro went to a podium and began talking, saying that he waived the reading of the full indictment. Asked what his pleading was, Mr. Trump responded, “Not guilty.”
Unlike many other defendants in cases related to the Jan. 6, 2021, Capitol breach, Trump will not be detained, under an agreement between the government and his lawyers. But, under the agreement, he is prevented from discussing the case.
Prosecutors were ordered to file a brief within seven days to suggest a trial date and predict how long the trial might take.
“This case will benefit from normal order, including speedy trial,” Assistant U.S. Attorney Thomas Windom said. The judge replied that the trial will be “fair.”
But Mr. Lauro objected to the government’s proposal of a speedy trial, calling it “absurd.” He pointed out that the government had three years to investigate and accumulate information. Likewise, Mr. Trump’s lawyers need time to prepare a proper defense, he said.
Mr. Lauro also expressed concern over the possibility of “massive” amounts of information to digest, including electronic data, printed documents, and exculpatory information.
By Janice Hisle
