Former President Donald Trump has filed a plea of not guilty in response to the charges outlined in special counsel Jack Smith's revised election subversion indictment against him in federal court. The plea was submitted in a court filing on Tuesday, where Trump also requested to be excused from appearing in person at an upcoming court hearing scheduled for Thursday.
In the one-page filing, Trump stated, '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's legal team is expected to represent him at the hearing before DC District Court Judge Tanya Chutkan.
The upcoming court session marks the first hearing since the case was put on hold for the Supreme Court to determine the extent of presidential immunity that Trump may be entitled to. Judge Chutkan will need to make decisions regarding the progression of the criminal case related to efforts to overturn the 2020 election, including establishing a timeline and ruling on whether prosecutors can proceed to trial and call specific witnesses, such as former Vice President Mike Pence.
The revised indictment, which was endorsed by a grand jury last week, necessitates Trump to submit a new plea. Despite some reductions in the allegations against the former president following the Supreme Court's decision, Trump continues to face the same four criminal charges as previously stated.
