Former U.S President, Donald Trump is set to appear at the E. Barrett Prettyman Federal Courthouse in Washington, DC on Thursday, August 3, 2023, to face federal charges related to his effort to overturn the results of the 2020 United States presidential election
Trump was indicted on Tuesday, August 1, 2023. The 45-page indictment was filed in Washington DC, by Special Counsel Jack Smith and it is Trump’s third criminal indictment since March.
He faces four conspiracy and obstruction countsinclude one count of conspiracy to defraud the U.S, one count of conspiracy against rights, one count of conspiracy to obstruct an official proceeding and one count of obstructing an official proceeding.
He is expected to enter a not-guilty plea during the arraignment.
The arraignment will be handled before U.S. Magistrate Judge Moxila Upadyaha, but going forward, the case will be presided over by U.S. District Judge, Tanya Chutkan, an appointee of President Barack Obama
Prosecutors in Washington will outline the four conspiracy and obstruction counts and a judge will set bail conditions.
The magistrate judge, Moxila Upadhyaya, will set a schedule for pre-trial motions and discovery.
Earlier, Trump used his Truth Social platform to issue a call for a change of venue in the trial.
Calling it a “fake ‘case’” which has been “brought by crooked Joe Biden and deranged Jack Smith”, Trump suggested “politically unbiased” West Virginia as a venue, arguing it is impossible for him to get a fair trial in Washington, which he described as “95% anti-Trump”.
Dozens of police officers and vehicles were stationed near the courthouse. A number of reporters, protesters as well as Trump supporters gathered infront of the the Washington courthouse.
Meanwhile, a number of Republicans and rightwing media networks have criticised the indictment and expressed support for Trump’s defense.
In a post on X, formerly known as Twitter, Republican representative, Marjorie Taylor Greene called the indictment against Donald Trump a “political assassination.”
Experts claim that Trump’s latest indictment is the most damaging legally and politically.
“I NEED ONE MORE INDICTMENT TO ENSURE MY ELECTION”
Trump has been using the indictment to boost his presidential campaign.
Ahead of the arraignment, Trump took to Truth Social and noted in capital letters, “I AM NOW GOING TO WASHINGTON D.C, TO BE ARRESTED FOR HAVING CHALLENGED A CORRUPT, RIGGED, AND STOLEN ELECTION. IT IS A GREAT HONOR BECAUSE I AM BEING ARRESTED FOR YOU. MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN!!!”
The former U.S President then added, “I NEED ONE MORE INDICTMENT TO ENSURE MY ELECTION.”
Thursday’s arraignment will be his third time this year. Trump has called it the “final battle and urged his followers to join him, saying, “With you by my side we will demolish the deep state.”
At one point, his presidential campaign compared the indictment to Nazi Germany, writing on Truth Social; “The lawlessness of these persecutions of President Trump and his supporters is reminiscent of Nazi Germany in the 1930s, the former Soviet Union, and other authoritarian, dictatorial regimes.”
Aboard a plane from New Jersey to Washington, Trump echoed his earlier call for a change of venue in the trial.
“Biden and his family steal Millions and Millions of Dollars, including BRIBES from foreign countries, and I’m headed to D.C. to be ARRESTED for protesting a CROOKED ELECTION. UNFAIR VENUE, UNFAIR JUDGE. We are a Nation in Decline. MAGA!!!”
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