Donald Trump pleads not guilty on all counts Donald Trump entered a plea of not guilty after the counts of the indictment were read to him by the judge. The former president was arrested and arraigned on four felony counts outlined in special counsel Jack Smith’s indictment: 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. What happens if Trump goes on trial during the presidential primaries? A trial in the middle of the presidential primary would be a blockbuster moment in American politics. It would offer an unvarnished look at all of the ways Donald Trump knowingly tried to subvert the results of the 2020 election, with key aides and allies forced to testify under oath. The trial would not be televised, since federal courts do not allow cameras in the courtroom. Richard Hasen, an election law expert at the University of California, Los Angelos, wrote: A trial is the best chance to educate the American public, as the January 6 House committee hearings did to some extent, about the actions Trump allegedly took to undermine American democracy and the rule of law. Constant publicity from the trial would give the American people in the middle of the election season a close look at the actions Trump took for his own personal benefit while putting lives and the country at risk. Practically, it’s unclear what impact a trial would have on Trump’s campaigning. While it could pull him off the campaign trail, Trump favors large rallies that are typically held in the evening or on weekends. Trump’s legal schedule for next year remains unclear. He already has criminal trials scheduled in Manhattan in March over hush-money payments and another in May over his handling of classified documents. Jack Smith, the special counsel prosecuting the case, has sought a speedy trial. Donald Trump’s valet and co-defendant in the federal classified documents case, Walt Nauta, accompanied the former president to Washington, CNN’s Kaitlin Collins writes. Three police officers who defended the US Capitol against violent rioters on January 6th attended Donald Trump’s hearing in the Washington federal courthouse. Capitol police officer Harry Dunn, Metropolitan police officer Daniel Hodges, and former Sgt Aquilino Gonell of the US Capitol police all responded to the insurrection at the US Capitol on January 6 2021. In a statement, Gonell said “not prosecuting is far riskier than having no consequences for the alleged power grab attempts”. Donald Trump claims his arraignment is a "sad day for America" Donald Trump gave a brief statement to reporters after arriving at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport following his arraignment. The former president said it was a “sad day for America” and that it was also “very sad” to drive through Washington DC and see “the filth and decay”. “This is not the place that I left. It’s a very sad thing to see,” Trump said. When you look at what’s happening, this is a persecution of a political opponent. This was never supposed to happen in America. He went on to claim that it was “the persecution of the person who is leading by very substantial numbers in the Republican primary and leading Biden by a lot”. So if you can’t beat him, you persecute him or you prosecute them. We can’t let this happen in America. Donald Trump is currently on his way back to Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport. Here are the latest images from the newswires: The Guardian’s Washington bureau chief David Smith is outside the courthouse where Donald Trump was arraigned: Trump expected to speak after leaving courthouse Donald Trump’s motorcade has left the federal courthouse in Washington after his court hearing concluded after just under half an hour. The former president is expected to speak to reporters when he arrives at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport. He will then board his plane to return to him home in Bedminster, New Jersey. Trump lawyer John Lauro said the defense team will ask for the exclusion of the Speedy Trial Act in the Trump 2020 election interference case. Lauro said: All we would ask your honor is the opportunity to fairly defend our client but in order to do that, we’re going to need a little time. Judge Upadhyaya ordered Lauro to make a written filing in five days, with a DOJ response within five days after that. Donald Trump’s hearing is now over, and he has left the courtroom. The former president is expected to speak to reporters before he boards his plane back to Bedminster, New Jersey. Judge sets first hearing in case for 28 August US magistrate judge Moxila Upadhyaya has set the first hearing in the case for 10am Eastern time (15:00 BST) on 28 August. The judge said district judge Tanya Chutkan, who has been assigned to oversee the case against Trump for attempting to overturn the results of the 2020 election, was willing to waive Trump’s appearance at the first hearing if he wants. Judge Upadhyaya had offered up three potential dates. Prosecutors had asked for the earliest - 21 August - while the defense requested the latest date – 28 August. My colleague Hugo Lowell has some more detail on Donald Trump’s bail conditions, which the former president signed after being sworn in. Trump was warned that violating the conditions of his release could result in a warrant issued for his arrest, and that he may be held pending trial and receive a longer sentence. Donald Trump sat forward in his chair as the judge talked about the “term of imprisonment” he could face if convicted. Magistrate Judge Moxila Upadhyaya then said: At this time I will arraign Mr Trump. Trump’s team entered a plea of not guilty to all charges. Judge Upadhyaya to Trump: If you fail to comply with any of the conditions of your release, a warrant may be issued for your arrest. Donald Trump pleads not guilty on all counts Donald Trump entered a plea of not guilty after the counts of the indictment were read to him by the judge. The former president was arrested and arraigned on four felony counts outlined in special counsel Jack Smith’s indictment: 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. US magistrate judge Moxila Upadhyaya is reading each count against Donald Trump. The former president has been charged with four counts: Count 1: Conspiracy to defraud the United States Count 2: Conspiracy to obstruct an official proceeding Count 3: Obstruction of and attempt to obstruct an official proceeding Count 4: Conspiracy against rights Standing then sitting again, Trump tells judge his name and age: Yes, your honor. Donald J Trump. John. 77. Asked if he has taken a medication or substance in the last 24 hours that would impair his answers, Trump replies: No, I have not. Donald Trump’s response when asked his age by the magistrate judge: Seven-seven US magistrate judge Moxila Upadhyaya has entered courtroom for Donald Trump’s arraignment. The hearing has begun. Special counsel Jack Smith is around 15ft away from Donald Trump (the tables are 4ft wide), per person familiar with the room layout. At E Barrett Prettyman Federal Courthouse where video feed shows Donald Trump, in blue suit, white shirt and red tie, entering courtroom and sitting at table, folding and unfolding hands, unable to keep still. He picks up a document and quickly puts it down again.