Extract from ABC News
Former US president Donald Trump has plead not guilty to four charges, related to 2020 election interference.
Key points:
- Donald Trump pleaded not guilty to four charges, including conspiracy to defraud the US
- Supporters, critics and media flocked to the court appearance
- Mr Trump still leads Republican polls ahead of the 2024 election
Mr Trump, 77 , arrived in Washington on Friday in his Trump-branded private plane, touching down to a swarm of media and the public.
He pleaded not guilty to all four charges before federal Magistrate Judge Moxila Upadhyaya.
Prosecutors allege Mr Trump conspired to defraud the US by preventing Congress from certifying Joe Biden's victory and depriving voters of their right to a fair election.
His false claims of widespread voting fraud led supporters to attack the US Capitol on January 6, 2021.
The arraignment, which lasted about half an hour, took place just one kilometre from the US Capitol in the same court which has seen many of his rioters sentenced.
Mr Trump pleaded not guilty to charges of conspiracy to defraud the United States, conspiracy to obstruct an official proceeding, obstruction of and attempt to obstruct an official proceeding, and conspiracy against rights.
Upon leaving court, Mr Trump said it was a "very sad day for America".
"This is a persecution of a political opponent. This was never supposed to happen in America," he said.
However, he seemed more restrained in court, sitting with his hands clasped and whispering to lawyers, according to ABC North America bureau chief Jade Macmillan.
He also looked around the room at the media scrum, which included outlets who had been camped out overnight.
Mr Trump's case will appear before court again on August 28.
The former president has been given the option of not appearing in person on that date.
His lawyer John Lauro argued the magnitude of the case could require a lot of time.
"What we desire utmost is the opportunity to fairly defend President Trump in this matter," he said.
'The more charges, the more he goes up in the polls'
Mr Trump's many supporters and critics camped outside the court.
Supporter Don Cini travelled to Washington from New York for the court date.
He said Mr Trump did not need support and expected his popularity to only rise following the appearance.
"This will just help him in the polls. The more charges, the more he goes up in the polls," he said.
Demonstrator Nadine Seiler said she wanted Mr Trump to go to jail for "24 years at least. No less".
“I don't know why they allow themselves to be to be brainwashed by this sociopath," she said.
At one point a demonstrator ran out in front of Mr Trump's motorcade, with a sign saying 'your time is up'.
Third legal woe ahead of 2024 election
The plea — the third for Mr Trump in four months — kicks off months of legal woes that will unfold against the backdrop of the 2024 presidential campaign.
Mr Trump is the Republican front-runner expected to take on Democratic President Joe Biden.
His next hearing, on August 28, will come just five days after the first scheduled Republican primary debate.
Mr Trump has yet to say he will take part.
He has previously pleaded not guilty to federal charges he retained classified documents after leaving office in June.
In March, he also pleaded not guilty to New York state charges he falsified documents in connection with hush money payments to a porn star.
About half of Republicans said they would not vote for Mr Trump if he were convicted of a felony, according to a new Reuters poll.
But the same poll, taken after his indictment this week, also showed his remarkable resiliency in the Republican primary race.
He is supported by 47 per cents of Republicans.
Florida's Ron DeSantis stands at 13 per cent.
ABC/Wires
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