- Donald Trump was indicted for his wide-ranging attempts to overturn the 2020 election, the third time in four months that the former US president has been criminally charged. Listen to Reuters World News as Joseph Ax tells us what we learned from the indictment.
- What happens next: Trump is set to make his first court appearance on Thursday, when prosecutors will outline the charges against him and a judge will set his bail conditions. He might enter a plea at that time, but his arraignment could also come at a later date. This graphic shows Trump’s major legal woes. By Daniel Victor
- Former President Donald J. Trump appeared before a federal magistrate judge in Washington on Thursday, the third time in four months he has stood to face criminal charges. He pleaded not guilty to allegations that he illegally tried to hold on to power and overturn President Biden’s victory in the 2020 election. In June, he was arraigned in Miami on federal charges of mishandling government documents after he left the White House and seeking to block investigators. In April, he appeared in Manhattan to address accusations that he orchestrated a hush-money scheme. He pleaded not guilty to more than 70 charges. Thursday’s appearance was mostly straightforward. Here are some key takeaways.
- The conditions of his release will not prevent Mr. Trump from campaigning but could limit his communications. It was no surprise that Mr. Trump pleaded not guilty. As in the Miami case, the government did not request bail and did not place restrictions on his travel as a condition of his release. He was not asked to surrender his passport. Mr. Trump agreed to not discuss the case with anyone he knows to be a witness, except through counsel or in the presence of counsel. The same order was imposed in the case of the documents. He also agreed to not violate federal or state law and to appear in court as directed. Failure to comply could result in an arrest warrant and the conditions of his release being revoked, opening the possibility that he could be held until trial and charged with contempt of court. The judge, Magistrate Judge Moxila A. Upadhyaya, noted that Mr. Trump must not retaliate against witnesses or otherwise obstruct the administration of justice. Alina Habba, a lawyer for Mr. Trump, outside the Federal District Court in Washington on Thursday.
- Alina Habba, a lawyer for Mr. Trump, outside the Federal District Court in Washington on Thursday.Credit...Doug Mills/The New York Times The defense is expected to delay as much as possible. dates for the first hearing: Aug. 21, Aug. 22 and Aug. 28. Prosecutors requested the earliest date, while Mr. Trump’s lawyers requested the latest. The hearing was set for Aug. 28, five days after the first Republican debate in the 2024 presidential contest. Mr. Trump has not said yet whether he intends to participate. Judge Upadhyaya ordered the government to file a brief next week that would propose a trial date and estimate how long its case will take. Seven days after that, Mr. Trump’s lawyers will file their proposal.
- The timing of the trial is inevitably tied up in political concerns, as Mr. Trump will be expected to make courtroom appearances in his multiple trials while other Republican presidential candidates will be able to focus on debates and appearances in primary states. Once again, no visual images emerged from the proceedings. Mr. Trump entered and exited the courthouse through an entrance inaccessible to the public. His motorcade drove past a modest crowd of supporters each way without stopping.
- No visual images were publicly recorded of the events except for a court sketch: Photographers were not permitted inside the courtroom, and no mug shot was taken. Just a small handful of reporters were in the courtroom to observe. (Others were able to watch from a room nearby, but the live video was not available to the public.)
- It was similar to how events played out in Miami in June, during which the only images that later appeared were court sketches. After that hearing, Mr. Trump made a campaign stop at a popular Cuban restaurant.
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