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WASHINGTON — Donald Trump and his legal team have entered the courtroom, with many U.S. marshals standing nearby.
Trump sat at the defense table in the middle of his attorneys, Todd Blanche and John Lauro.
This is a breaking news update. A previous version of this report is below.
Former President Donald Trump has been charged in connection with his alleged attempts to overturn the result of the 2020 presidential election.
A 45-page federal indictment, unsealed Tuesday, accuses Trump of four felony counts: 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. The former president, who is currently the Republican front-runner in the 2024 race, has been summoned to appear in court in Washington, D.C., on Thursday.
It’s the third time that Trump has been indicted on criminal charges. He has pleaded not guilty to all charges in the two other cases, decrying the investigations as political witch hunts. He continues to insist that the 2020 vote was rigged and, speaking to ABC News on Tuesday, described the latest charges as a “pile-on” and “election interference.”
Here’s how the news is developing. All times Eastern.
Special counsel Jack Smith enters courtroom
Aug 03, 3:49 PM EDT
Special counsel Jack Smith and his team have entered the courtroom ahead of former President Donald Trump’s initial appearance and arraignment.
Smith is not sitting at the prosecutors’ table, but sitting nearby. Special counsel prosecutors Molly Gaston and Tom Windom are sitting at the table, along with another female prosecutor.
Smith also attended Trump’s arraignment in the classified documents case he brought in Florida.
-ABC News’ Mike Levine
Trump arrives at court
Aug 03, 3:08 PM EDT
Former President Donald Trump has arrived at the E. Barrett Prettyman federal courthouse in Washington, D.C., for his court appearance.
Trump in motorcade alone on way to courthouse
Aug 03, 3:08 PM EDT
Former President Donald Trump’s motorcade is now en route from Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport to the E. Barrett Prettyman federal courthouse in Washington, D.C.
Trump is in the motorcade alone with just his Secret Service detail.
No family is traveling with him.
This marks only the second time Trump has returned to D.C. since leaving office.
Trump touches down in DC
Aug 03, 2:49 PM EDT
Former President Donald Trump’s plane has touched down in Washington, D.C., ahead of his federal court appearance.
Trump en route to DC
Aug 03, 2:11 PM EDT
Former President Donald Trump’s plane is wheels-up at Newark Liberty International Airport and en route to Washington, D.C., for his Thursday afternoon court appearance.
The former president walked alone up the steps to his plane and boarded without speaking.
Supporters, protesters display signs outside court
Aug 03, 12:41 PM EDT
A handful of supporters and protesters, law enforcement from multiple agencies and dozens of press cameras and satellite trucks are waiting outside the E. Barrett Prettyman federal courthouse in Washington, D.C., for former President Donald Trump.
In the mix of the officers and dozens of cameras is a small group of Trump supporters carrying campaign flags saying “Trump for President 2024” and “Finish The Wall.”
Some protesters were seen holding signs reading “clear and present danger” and “lock him up.”
No large protests have formed outside, but officials have been passing out emergency number cards to contracted security guards to report anything suspicious.
Read the full indictment here
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