Trump pleads not guilty to federal charges in 2020 election case

Former US President Donald Trump has pleaded not guilty to federal conspiracy charges alleging him of plotting to overturn his 2020 election defeat.

Trump appeared Thursday before a judge at the federal courthouse in Washington, D.C., just two days after being indicted on four felony counts by Justice Department special counsel Jack Smith.

Charges against Trump include conspiracy to defraud the United States and obstruct Congress’ certification of Democrat Joe Biden’s victory.

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Almost two months ago, Trump pleaded not guilty to dozens of federal felony counts accusing him of hiding classified documents and hindering the government from retrieving them.

Trump, who is the frontrunner for the 2024 Republican presidential nomination, has said he is innocent. His legal team argues the latest case is an attack on his right to free speech.

Another hearing for Trump’s 2020 election conspiracy case has been scheduled for Aug. 28, only five days after the first debate in the 2024 Republican presidential primary debate.

– With files from The Canadian Press

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