Trump is due to face a judge in DC over charges he tried to overturn the 2020 presidential election

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Donald Trump is set to appear in a federal court in Washington, DC this Thursday, where he faces charges related to attempts to reverse the outcome of the 2020 presidential elections. This appearance is taking place near the U.S. Capitol, a location that was infiltrated by his supporters in an attempt to prevent the smooth transition of power.

As part of an increasingly common but still shocking procedure, Trump will be processed by law enforcement, taken into custody, and will likely plead not guilty before a judge. Subsequently, he will be released to return to his campaign efforts to regain the presidency in 2024.

A recent indictment by Justice Department special counsel Jack Smith includes four felony charges against Trump tied to his attempts to undo his defeat in the 2020 presidential race. The events leading up to the January 6, 2021, Capitol riots form part of these charges, which encompass conspiracy to defraud the U.S. government and obstruct an official proceeding. If convicted, these charges could lead to a lengthy imprisonment.

The former Republican president is the sole individual facing charges in this case. However, the prosecution has identified six co-conspirators, mostly attorneys, who they claim collaborated with Trump. This includes a plan to involve fraudulent electors in seven key states won by Democrat Joe Biden, to submit deceptive certificates to the federal government.

According to the indictment, Trump, along with his Republican associates, launched an “attack on a foundational function of the U.S. government” by consistently lying about the election results in the two months following his loss. He also pressured Vice President Mike Pence and state election officials to support his attempt to hold onto power.

This marks the third criminal case against Trump in the past six months. Previous charges in New York accused him of manipulating business records related to a payoff to a porn actor during his 2016 campaign. Smith’s office has also brought 40 felony charges against him in Florida, accusing him of unauthorized possession of classified documents at his Palm Beach estate, Mar-a-Lago, and refusal to comply with government demands for their return. Trump has pleaded not guilty in both cases, which are set to go to trial the following year.

There is anticipation for additional charges in Fulton County, Georgia, where investigations into attempts to subvert election results are underway.

John Lauro, Trump’s attorney, has argued on TV that Trump’s actions fall under First Amendment rights to free speech and that he acted upon the advice of his legal team. Trump has baselessly alleged that Smith’s team is trying to disrupt the 2024 presidential election, in which Trump is currently a leading contender for the Republican nomination.

Special counsel Smith has publicly stated his intent for a swift trial, but Lauro intends to slow the process to enable the defense team to conduct its own investigation.

The initial court proceedings will be overseen by U.S. Magistrate Judge Moxila Upadyaha, but the case will ultimately be handled by U.S. District Judge Tanya Chutkan, an Obama appointee known for her tough stance on the Capitol rioters. Chutkan has ruled against Trump before, refusing to block the release of documents related to the January 6 committee in November 2021.

For more coverage on Donald Trump and the U.S. Capitol insurrection, follow the AP’s reports at their respective links.

Contributors to this report include AP writers Lindsay Whitehurst, Ellen Knickmeyer, Stephen Groves, Serkan Gurbuz, Rick Gentilo, Alex Brandon, Yihan Deng, Kara Brown, and Nathan Posner.

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• AP’s coverage of Donald Trump
• AP’s report on U.S. Capitol insurrection
• Detailed coverage on Trump’s indictment
• Overview of Trump’s criminal cases
• Background on U.S. District Judge Tanya Chutkan
• First Amendment rights