Trump Pleads Not Guilty To Charges In Revised Election Interference Indictment

Former President Donald Trump pleaded not guilty on Thursday to revised charges in the federal criminal investigation into alleged election interference. This plea, made through his legal team, occurred during the first hearing in the Washington, D.C. case since the U.S. Supreme Court issued a ruling on presidential immunity.

Trump, who is the current Republican nominee for the November presidential election, was not present in federal court for the hearing. U.S. District Judge Tanya Chutkan presided over the status conference but did not set a trial schedule, indicating she hopes to do so later in the day.

The case pertains to Trump's actions following his loss to Democratic rival Joe Biden in the November 2020 presidential election, including his role in the January 6, 2021, insurrection at the U.S. Capitol. The Supreme Court's recent ruling narrowed the scope of the case by affirming that former presidents are entitled to broad immunity from criminal prosecution.

Judge Chutkan remarked that it has been nearly a year since she last saw the case’s lawyers, with proceedings having been paused while Trump pursued an appeal. The defense lawyer, John Lauro, lightheartedly commented on the prolonged absence, to which Chutkan responded with a touch of humor.

The not-guilty plea was entered in response to a revised indictment filed by Special Counsel Jack Smith’s team last week. This revision removed certain allegations to align with the Supreme Court's ruling. Prosecutors have indicated they are prepared to file a legal brief on how the immunity ruling affects the case.

Trump's defense is challenging the case's validity and plans to file multiple motions to dismiss, including arguments related to the constitutionality of Smith's appointment as special counsel, echoing a recent ruling by a Florida judge.

A trial in this case is not expected to take place before the November election. This case adds to the legal challenges facing Trump, who is also involved in a separate federal prosecution concerning the alleged illegal retention of classified documents at his Mar-a-Lago estate in Palm Beach, Florida. That case was dismissed in July by U.S. District Judge Aileen Cannon, who found Smith’s appointment unconstitutional; Smith’s team has appealed this ruling.

Trump's legal team has indicated that they will seek to dismiss the election interference case on similar grounds.