Trump Pleads Not Guilty to Reworked January 6 Charges

Former President Donald Trump has officially entered a not guilty plea in response to the retooled charges brought against him by special counsel Jack Smith. The charges, which stem from allegations of election subversion related to the January 6th Capitol riot, were updated following a recent Supreme Court ruling on presidential immunity.

In a court filing submitted on Tuesday, Trump waived his right to be physically present at the upcoming arraignment. Instead, he authorized his attorneys to enter the not guilty plea on his behalf. The filing included a bold, black signature from Trump, underscoring his intent to contest each count of the superseding indictment.

“I, President Donald J. Trump, the above-named defendant … do hereby waive my right to be present at Arraignment and I authorize my attorneys to enter a plea of not guilty on my behalf to each and every count of the superseding indictment,” Trump stated in the one-page document. He also confirmed that he had reviewed the indictment with his legal team.

The first court hearing in this revised case is scheduled for Thursday, presided over by Judge Tanya Chutkan of the DC District Court. This hearing marks the resumption of proceedings after they were paused to allow the Supreme Court to determine the extent of presidential immunity Trump may claim.

Although Trump has been excused from attending Thursday’s hearing, his attorneys will be present. Judge Chutkan will oversee critical decisions on how the case will proceed, including setting a timeline and determining whether prosecutors can call certain witnesses, such as former Vice President Mike Pence.

Despite the Supreme Court ruling that led to a reduction in the allegations against Trump, the former president still faces the same four criminal charges related to his actions surrounding the 2020 presidential election. The revised indictment, approved by a grand jury last week, necessitated Trump’s new plea.

As the legal battles continue, this case remains a pivotal moment in the ongoing scrutiny of Trump’s post-presidency conduct and his role in the events leading up to January 6th.