Trump news today: Jack Smith seeks protective order over Truth Social ‘threat’

Federal prosecutors in Donald Trump’s latest indictment are seeking a protective order after he posted a perceived threat on Truth Social.

A day after being arrested and pleading not guilty to four federal charges for allegedly conspiring to overturn the 2020 presidential election, Mr Trump wrote on his social media site: “IF YOU GO AFTER ME, I’M COMING AFTER YOU!”

The Department of Justice cited that post in asking District Court Judge Tanya Chutkan for a protective order that would limit what discovery evidence Mr Trump and his legal team can share publicly.

Special counsel Jack Smith’s team said such an order could help prevent a “harmful chilling effect on witnesses”.

The Trump campaign then issued a statement insisting his post was not a threat of revenge but rather “political speech”.

“The Truth post cited is the definition of political speech, and was in response to the RINO, China-loving, dishonest special interest groups and Super PACs, like the ones funded by the Koch brothers and the Club for No Growth,” the campaign said.

Judge Chutkan is giving Mr Trump and his attorneys until Monday to respond to the protective order request.

Key points

• DoJ requests protective order after Trump threatens revenge in Truth Social post

• Trump pleads not guilty to federal conspiracy charges in plot to overturn 2020 election

• Trump demands case be moved to ‘unbiased’ West Virginia

• Donald Trump indicted with four criminal charges relating to 2020 election interference

• Read Trump’s indictment from the Jan 6 grand jury in full

Trump demands Judge Tanya Chutkan be removed from election case after ruling against him

16:30 , Ariana Baio

Donald Trump has called for the judge in his most recent federal indictment to be removed from the case after she issued a ruling against him.

The ex-president launched his attack on District Court Judge Tanya Chutkan on Sunday morning, days after he appeared before her in court to plead not guilty to four federal charges stemming from a Department of Justice investigation into his alleged efforts to overturn the 2020 election and the subsequent January 6 attack on the Capitol.

Ariana Baio and Megan Sheets report:

Trump demands Judge Tanya Chutkan be removed from election case

Trump looking to play First Amendment card

16:00 , Ariana Baio

Donald Trump and his attorneys are looking to use the First Amendment as a defence against the indictment which charged the ex-president with four federal charges.

Last week, Mr Trump’s attorney went on several network news shows to explain that Mr Trump’s words after the 2020 election and leading up to the January 6 insurrection were protected by the First Amendment right to free speech and therefore cannot be illegal.

On Truth Social, Mr Trump wrote: “THERE IS NO WAY I CAN GET A FAIR TRIAL WITH THE JUDGE “ASSIGNED” TO THE RIDICULOUS FREEDOM OF SPEECH/FAIR ELECTIONS CASE. EVERYBODY KNOWS THIS, AND SO DOES SHE! WE WILL BE IMMEDIATELY ASKING FOR RECUSAL OF THIS JUDGE ON VERY POWERFUL GROUNDS, AND LIKEWISE FOR VENUE CHANGE, OUT IF D.C.”

In the indictment, prosecutors acknowledged that Mr Trump had the right to say whatever he wanted but his actions were allegedly unlawful as he tried to use several people, including the vice president, to exercise power they were not authorised to in order to change results.

Trump rants about indictment on Truth Social claiming it is a ‘Bidin opponent case’

15:30 , Ariana Baio

Sunday morning Donald Trump took to Truth Social to rant about the most recent federal indictment against him which he claims is an act of political retaliation.

“DERANGED JACK SMITH AND OUR HIGHLY PARTISAN, AND VERY CORRUPT, DEPARTMENT OF INJUSTICE, COULD HAVE BROUGHT THIS BIDIN “OPPONENT” CASE YEARS AGO, BUT CHOSE TO WAIT AND BRING IT RIGHT IN THE MIDDLE OF MY ELECTION CAMPAIGN,” Mr Trump wrote.

The ex-president believes President Joe Biden encouraged the indictment which charged Mr Trump with four federal charges related to his alleged efforts to overturn the 2020 election.

Special Counsel Jack Smith in the Department of Justice (DoJ) has been investigating Mr Trump for his actions that led up to the January 6 insurrection.

Biden 2024 campaign embraces ‘Dark Brandon’ meme

15:00 , Oliver O'Connell

The Biden campaign has coopted the Dark Brandon meme and most of their merch sales come from products that incorporate it.

On Thursday, the Biden campaign posted a video of the president having a cup of coffee with the mug featuring an image of Mr Biden with laser eyes in the style of the widespread meme.

“I like my coffee dark,” Mr Biden says in the short clip.

As Mr Biden has struggled to gain online attention, the Dark Brandon meme has helped him go viral.

Gustaf Kilander has the story.

Biden campaign embraces ‘Dark Brandon’ meme with new merch

Trump goes on erratic tangent about washing his hair

14:30 , Ariana Baio

Donald Trump gave a speech in South Carolina on Saturday night that included a long-winded tangent about washing his “gorgeous head of hair” and water pressure.

The ex-president spoke at the Silver Elephant Gala where he spoke about his recent federal indictment, the economy and jobs. But while speaking about jobs under the Biden administration Mr Trump used how he washes his hair to describe the difference in his administration’s regulations.

“You know I have this gorgeous head of hair. When I take a shower I want water to pour down on me. When you go into these new homes the water drips down slowly,” Mr Trump said.

“Slowly. You have suds, beautiful, nice, wonderful suds – lot of money, Procter and Gamble, all of that crap they say is good. Probably cost them about two cents and they sell it for $10.”

He added: “But it takes you 10 minutes to wash your hair. You know what you do? You just stay in the shower about 10 times longer than you would’ve. It’s the same. You probably use more water. I broke all of that up.”

Trump’s own lawyer ‘admits’ to indictment charge live on TV

14:00 , Ariana Baio

A lawyer for former President Donald Trump, John Lauro, seemed to admit to a charge listed in the indictment related to January 6 and the efforts to overturn the 2020 election.

Kelly Rissman has the story.

Moment Trump’s own lawyer ‘admits’ to indictment charge live on TV

Democrats are calling for Trump’s trial to be televised

13:30 , Ariana Baio

Federal court proceedings are rarely televised.

But Democrats are pushing for the trial to be televised; they wrote a letter on Thursday to Judge Roslynn Mauskopf, the director of the Administrative Office of the US Courts.

The letter, led by Rep Adam Schiff and signed by 37 other Democratic lawmakers, pressed that the trial be shown “unfiltered, to the public.”

The letter asks for the trial to be broadcasted, as it “ensures timely access to accurate and reliable information,” emphasising “the extraordinary national importance to our democratic institutions and the need for transparency.”

“Given the historic nature of the charges brought forth in these cases, it is hard to imagine a more powerful circumstance for televised proceedings,” the Democrats wrote. “If the public is to fully accept the outcome, it will be vitally important for it to witness, as directly as possible, how the trials are conducted, the strength of the evidence adduced and the credibility of witnesses.”

Ex Secret Service agent describes how Trump could have security detail in prison

13:00 , Ariana Baio

ICYMI: DoJ requests protective order after Trump threatens revenge in Truth Social post

12:00 , Ariana Baio

Prosecutors in the Department of Justice asked the judge overseeing Donald Trump’s most recent federal indictment for a protective order after the ex-president issued a seemingly threatening statement on Truth Social.

The day after Mr Trump’s arraignment he took to his social media platform where he seemingly threatened revenge on those pursuing him.

“IF YOU GO AFTER ME, I’M COMING AFTER YOU!” the ex-president wrote.

Hours after his post, federal prosecutors asked District Court Judge Tanya Chutkan to issue an order that would limit what discovery evidence Mr Trump and his legal can share

DoJ requests protective order after Trump threatens revenge in Truth Social post

Those closest to Trump could be called to testify

11:00 , Ariana Baio

Several former and current aides to Donald Trump could soon be called to testify against their boss as the ex-president faces three criminal indictments.

According to a report from The Washington Post several of Mr Trump’s current advisers are named in one of three indictments or have been interviewed by prosecutors – all while working on his 2024 campaign.

This includes his top adviser, senior communications aide and other staffers, according to The Post.

Mr Trump’s former personal aide, Walt Nauta, was recently named as a co-defendant in the classified documents probe. Carlos De Oliveira, a Mar-a-Lago property manager, was also named as a co-defendant.

In the January 6th and 2020 election conspiracy probe, six unnamed co-defendants were named alongside Mr Trump – most likely those closest to the former president while he was in office.

Nikki Haley speaks about Trump indictment

10:00 , Ariana Baio

Ex-South Carolina governor and 2024 presidential candidate Nikki Haley spoke about Donald Trump’s indictment on Thursday, two days after Mr Trump was indicted.

“Unlike the other candidates, I didn’t rush out with a statement yesterday on Trump’s indictment for one simple reason — like most Americans, I’m tired of commenting on every Trump drama. I’ve lost track of whether this indictment is the third or fourth or the fifth,” Ms Haley said on Good Morning New Hampshire with Jack Heath.

She added: “We should be focusing on how to stop China. We should be focusing on how to close the border. We need to be reversing Bidenomics. Putting a 77-year-old former president in prison doesn’t do any of that. We’ve got to move on already.”

Explained: Trump, January 6 and a conspiracy to overturn the 2020 election

09:00 , Ariana Baio

Alex Woodward reports on how a sprawling Justice Department probe into Donald Trump and his allies yielded four criminal charges in a stunning indictment outlining a path to power at whatever cost...

The federal investigation into Trump and January 6, explained

Trump moans it must be ‘unconstitutional’ for criminal cases to keep him from campaigning

07:15 , Oliver O'Connell

Donald Trump is now complaining that the myriad of criminal cases against him are keeping him from the campaign trail, claiming that it must be “unconstitutional”.

Gustaf Kilander has the story.

Trump moans criminal cases are keeping him from the campaign trail

In Photos: Trump appears for arraignment on Friday

05:00 , Ariana Baio

DeSantis finally says Trump’s claims of stolen 2020 election weren’t ‘true’

03:00 , Ariana Baio

Florida governor and 2024 presidential candidate Ron DeSantis said on Friday that Donald Trump’s claims that the 2020 election was rigged are not true.

“All those theories that were put out did not prove to be true,” Mr DeSantis told The New York Times during a campaign stop in Iowa.

Josh Marcus reports.

Ron DeSantis says Trump’s claims of stolen 2020 election weren’t ‘true’

Explained: Why Trump is charged under a civil rights law used to prosecute KKK terror

01:00 , Ariana Baio

Mr Trump has been charged with three criminal conspiracies – including a conspiracy to deprive Americans’ right to vote and to have their votes counted, a statute rooted in bedrock civil rights protections enacted in the brutal aftermath of the US Civil War.

A crime of conspiracy against rights invokes Section 241 of Title 18 of US Code, among criminal codes that came from the Enforcement Acts, also known as the Ku Klux Klan Acts. Those laws were designed to protect Americans’ newly enshrined rights under the 13th, 14th and 15th Amendments – allowing the federal government to protect the rights of newly enfranchised Black people to vote, hold office, serve on juries and receive equal protection under the law against white supremacist terror.

Why Trump is charged under a civil rights law used to prosecute KKK terror

ICYMI: DoJ and Trump attorneys go back-and-forth over proposed protective order

23:00 , Ariana Baio

Prosecutors in the Department of Justice and Donald Trump’s attorneys have gone back and forth with each other in filings sent to Judge Tanya Chutkan over a proposed protective order response.

The requested order, proposed by federal prosecutors, was filed on Friday and asks Judge Chutkan to prevent Mr Trump and his attorneys from revealing specific information about the January 6th and alleged election conspiracy indictment publicly.

Judge Chutkan initially asked Mr Trump’s attorneys to respond by Monday at 5pm ET but the lawyers responded asking for a delay until Wednesday.

The DoJ filed a statement to Judge Chutkan saying Mr Trump’s motion “should be denied.”

“The Government wants to provide discovery to the defendant. By his motion, the defendant seeks to delay that process,” the statement reads.

Watch: Nancy Pelosi says Donald Trump looked like a ‘scared puppy’ during arraignment

22:30 , Ariana Baio

Mike Pence heckled by Trump supporters at town hall after rolling out mocking merch

22:00 , Ariana Baio

Former vice president and 2024 candidate Mike Pence is capitalising on Donald Trump’s recent federal indictment by drawing positive attention to his own campaign with joking merchandise and snapping back at hecklers.

While on the campaign trail in New Hampshire this past week, Mr Pence was confronted by a group of Mr Trump’s supporters who called him a “sellout” and “traitor” for refusing to falsely and unlawfully certify the 2020 election results in Mr Trump’s favor.

“Why didn’t you uphold the Constitution?” one protester shouted at Mr Pence on Friday.

Mr Pence notoriously refused to engage in Mr Trump’s alleged efforts to overturn the 2020 election which ultimately made him a target during the Capitol riots.

The ex-vice president calmly turned to the group of Trump supporters and responded, “I upheld the constitution. Read it.”

Ariana Baio reports:

Mike Pence heckled by Trump supporters at town hall after rolling out mocking merch

Federal prosecutors accuse Trump of seeking to ‘delay the process’ in Jan 6 case

21:30 , Ariana Baio

Federal prosecutors accused Donald Trump and his attorneys of trying to delay the process in his January 6 case by filing a motion to delay the time they are given to respond.

“The Government wants to provide discovery to the defendant. By his motion, the defendant seeks to delay that process,” the filing from the Department of Justice on Saturday reads.

Prosecutors urged Judge Tanya Chutkan to deny Mr Trump’s motion to delay the date of response.

Mr Trump’s attorneys asked the judge to move the date from Monday until Wednesday to give them more time to consider the proposed protective order.

ICYMI: Inside the courtroom, it was clear this indictment is different for Donald Trump

21:00 , Ariana Baio

Voices

“If one was to judge Donald Trump’s mood by the various missives he posts to his bespoke social media platform, it’s possible to come away with the impression that the latest indictment filed against him — the third of a possible four criminal cases he could face before next year’s election — is nothing but a boon to his re-election hopes.”

Andrew Feinberg writes:

Inside the courtroom, it was clear this indictment is different for Donald Trump

Texas man who threatened election poll workers is sentenced to 3 1/2 years

20:30 , Ariana Baio

Frederick Francis Goltz, a man who advocated for a mass shooting of poll workers and threatened two Arizona officials and their children, has been sentenced to 3 1/2 years in federal prison.

Prosecutors said court documents showed that Mr Goltz threatened several people including a lawyer with the Maricopa County Attorney’s Office and a Maricopa County elections official, on far-right social media platforms.

In plea papers, Goltz admitted that on 21 November 2022, he posted the lawyer’s name, home address and telephone number on social media, writing: “It would be a shame if someone got to this children.” On the same date, in response to another post referring to other Maricopa County officials, he wrote: “Someone needs to get these people AND their children. The children are the most important message to send.”

After former President Donald Trump falsely claimed that the 2020 election was stolen from him, there was a rise in threats against elections officials.

Associated Press contributed to this report.

Mike Pence heckled by Trump supporters outside of town hall

20:00 , Ariana Baio

Who is Tanya Chutkan, the judge overseeing Trump’s 2020 election probe case?

19:30 , Ariana Baio

The DC district judge assigned to oversee Donald Trump’s second federal indictment is Tanya Chutkan, a court docket revealed prior to Mr Trump’s arraignment on Thursday 3 August, at which he entered a not guilty plea to all charges.

Judge Chutkan is an appointee of former president Barack Obama and was first appointed to the US District Court for the District of Columbia in June 2014.

Tanya Chutkan: Who is the judge overseeing Trump’s 2020 election probe case?

Trump attorneys ask judge to extend protective order response deadline

19:00 , Ariana Baio

Donald Trump’s attorneys answered Judge Tanya Chutkan’s request to respond to the protective order that prosecutors in the Department of Justice requested and asked Judge Chutkan for an extension.

Judge Chutkan initially told Mr Trump and his attorneys that he had until Monday to respond with any disagreements or changes to the protective order.

But Mr Trump’s attorneys filed a request to extend that until Wednesday, 10 August.

Lawyers for the ex-president said it would give them more time to review the proposed order and give feedback as they believe it is too complex to agree to upfront.

“Discovery in this case will be extensive and likely present numerous complex issues. For that reason, it is essential to structure the parties’ discussion in a methodical and, ideally, cooperative manner,” Mr Trump’s attorney wrote.

They went on to call the restrictions laid out by the DoJ “wholly unproductive” and “undermine the potential for party-driven resolutions.”

DoJ requests protective order after Trump threatens revenge in Truth Social post

18:30 , Ariana Baio

Prosecutors in the Department of Justice asked the judge overseeing Donald Trump’s most recent federal indictment for a protective order after the ex-president issued a seemingly threatening statement on Truth Social.

The day after Mr Trump’s arraignment he took to his social media platform where he seemingly threatened revenge on those pursuing him.

“IF YOU GO AFTER ME, I’M COMING AFTER YOU!” the ex-president wrote.

Hours after his post, federal prosecutors asked District Court Judge Tanya Chutkan to issue an order that would limit what discovery evidence Mr Trump and his legal can share publicly, citing Mr Trump’s love for ranting on social media.

Ariana Baio reports:

DoJ requests protective order after Trump threatens revenge in Truth Social post

Former Trump press secretary calls Trump’s posts ‘chilling'

18:00 , Ariana Baio

Ex-White House press secretary Stephanie Grisham criticised her former boss’ posts on Truth Social, claiming they could be considered intimidating to the federal prosecution overseeing his 2020 election lies case.

“I just don’t understand does somebody have to get hurt before people take this kind of online intimidation seriously?” Ms Grisham said on CNN.

Mr Trump posted on Truth Social on Friday seemingly threatening those who come after him saying, “IF YOU GO AFTER ME, I’M COMING AFTER YOU!”

Prosecutors filed a request for a protective order so Mr Trump and his legal team are prevented from sharing too much information about the case.

“Legally, it doesn’t seem like it’s very smart but how is that not intimidation?” Ms Grisham asked. She called the ex-president’s speech “chilling”.

Judge orders Trump and attorneys to respond to protective order

17:33 , Ariana Baio

Judge Tanya Chutkan, who is overseeing Donald Trump’s federal case pertaining to his alleged efforts to overturn the 2020 election, ordered Mr Trump and his defence team to respond to prosecutors’ request for a protective order by Monday.

The request was filed on Friday night following a seemingly threatening Truth Social post from the ex-president.

Mr Trump’s team has until Monday to air any disagreements or create revisions to the protective order.

Recap: Trump pleads not guilty to new charges in Mar-a-Lago documents case

17:00 , Olive O’Connell

Less than 24 hours after he appeared to answer the latest federal indictment against him in a Washington DC courtroom, former president Donald Trump officially entered a plea of “not guilty” to the 40-count superseding indictment in a separate case against him in the Southern District of Florida.

Andrew Feinberg filed this report.

Trump pleads not guilty to new charges in Mar-a-Lago documents case

Trump claims ‘we need one more indictment’ before 2024 race in first speech since federal charges

16:30 , Ariana Baio

Donald Trump was equal turns defiant and self-pitying in his first major public event since being indicted earlier this week on charges he conspired to overturn the 2020 election and deprive voters of their civil rights in the process, claiming the charges against him were illegitimate but would help his campaign.

“It’s not going to make any impact. Every time they file an indictment, we go way up in the polls,” Mr Trump said Friday at the Alabama Republican Party’s 2023 summer meeting in Montgomery.

“We need one more indictment and this election is closed out, nobody has even a chance,” he added.

At the same time, Mr Trump hammered the special counsel overseeing the case, accusing “deranged Jack Smith” of pursuing “an outrageous criminalisation of political speech.”

“It’s not fair and it’s probably not legal what they’re doing,” Mr Trump argued. “They want to interfere in my campaign.”

Trump lashes out at ‘deranged human being’ Jack Smith

16:00 , Ariana Baio

Trump campaign walks back threatening Truth Social post

15:30 , Ariana Baio

Donald Trump’s campaign claimed a seemingly threatening Truth Social post that was cited by federal prosecutors in a protective order request was only ‘political speech’.

“The Truth post cited is the definition of political speech, and was in response to the RINO, China-loving, dishonest special interest groups and Super PACs, like the ones funded by the Koch brothers and the Club for No Growth,” the statement from Mr Trump’s campaign read.

Mr Trump’s campaign issued the statement just hours after federal prosecutors overseeing the latest indictment against the ex-president requested the judge limit the amount of information Mr Trump and his attorneys can share publicly.

The requested protective order cited a Truth Social post from Mr Trump in which he claimed, “IF YOU GO AFTER ME, I’M COMING AFTER YOU!!”

Poll: Trump could lose half his voters if he’s convicted

15:00 , Ariana Baio

Nearly half of Republican supporters wouldn’t vote for Donald Trump in the upcoming election if the former president is convicted of a felony, according to a new poll.

Mr Trump, who is the front-runner in the Republican nomination contest for the November 2024 presidential election, pleaded not guilty in court on Thursday to federal charges.

Alisha Rahaman Sarkar has the details.

Trump could lose half his voters if he’s convicted, poll shows

Trump lawyer rants about Hunter Biden’s laptop outside arraignment court

14:30 , Ariana Baio

As ex-president Donald Trump was being arraigned on Thursday, one of his lawyers, Alina Habba, attempted to deflect the news cycle away from her client.

Standing outside of the federal courthouse in Washington DC, Ms Habba began giving a timeline in the Hunter Biden laptop controversy.

“On March 17, Hunter accidentally admits it was his laptop from hell,” Ms Habba said.

“June 8: an FBI document is released showing that Ukranians paid the Biden crime family millions of millions of dollars. The next day? The Mar-a-Lago raid and the Mar-a-Lago indictment.”

Ron DeSantis condemns Donald Trump’s ‘juvenile’ insults

14:00 , Ariana Baio

As the 2024 race begins ramping up, presidential candidates Ron DeSantis and Donald Trump are becoming less friendly.

During a conversation with a local news station in New Hampshire this week, Mr DeSantis lashed out at Mr Trump calling his attacks “juvenile” and saying the United States needs a different leader.

”These insults are so phony,” Mr DeSantis said. “These insults are juvenile. That’s not the way the president of the US should be conducting himself.”

DeSantis finally says Trump’s claims of stolen 2020 election weren’t ‘true’

13:15 , Oliver O'Connell

Florida governor and 2024 presidential candidate Ron DeSantis said on Friday that Donald Trump’s claims that the 2020 election was rigged are not true.

“All those theories that were put out did not prove to be true,” Mr DeSantis told The New York Times during a campaign stop in Iowa.

Josh Marcus reports.

Ron DeSantis says Trump’s claims of stolen 2020 election weren’t ‘true’

Could Trump’s alleged co-conspirators in the Jan 6 indictment turn on him?

11:15 , Oliver O'Connell

Donald Trump wasn’t alone in pursuing his alleged plot to overturn the 2020 presidential election.

In his latest federal criminal indictment, the Justice Department refers to six co-conspirators who also conspired with him to cling onto power at all costs.

The six individuals are not named in the charging documents but, based on the details in the indictment and records already known about the events leading up to the January 6 Capitol riot, their identities are clear.

Could one or more of them turn on Mr Trump?

Will Trump’s alleged co-conspirators in the Jan 6 indictment turn on him?

Where all of Trump’s lawsuits and criminal charges currently stand

09:15 , Oliver O'Connell

Here’s what you need to know about all the major investigations and lawsuits against Donald Trump.

All the investigations Trump faces following his third indictment

Where in the world is Melania Trump?

09:00 , Ariana Baio

As Donald Trump pleaded not guilty in court on Thursday (3 August) after being arrested and arraigned for conspiring to overturn the 2020 presidential election, his wife, Melania Trump was nowhere to be seen.

Where is Melania Trump? Former first lady absent at Donald’s arraignment

Analysis: Donald Trump’s latest indictment is a test for America

07:15 , Oliver O'Connell

How far can a president go to cling to power?

Alex Woodward reports.

Donald Trump’s latest indictment is a test for America

ICYMI: Trump strikes threatening tone after arraignment: ‘ IF YOU GO AFTER ME, I’M COMING AFTER YOU!’

21:32 , Ariana Baio

Former president Donald Trump lashed out at authorities on Friday afternoon, a day after his arraignment on four charges related to his attempts to overturn the 2020 presidential election results.

During his arraignment on Thursday, Mr Trump was ordered to refrain from discussing the case with any witnesses without the presence of legal counsel. The former president’s bellicose rhetoric could create additional legal headaches for him.

But Mr Trump appeared to display no contrition on Friday afternoon in an all-caps post on Truth Social.

“IF YOU GO AFTER ME, I’M COMING AFTER YOU!” the former president said.

How the historic day of Trump’s third arraignment unfolded

05:15 , Oliver O'Connell

America had another historic day on Thursday 3 August as former president Donald Trump turned himself in to face charges related to his alleged conspiring to overturn the 2020 presidential election as part of a desperate bid to defy the will of voters and remain at the head of the US government.

Thirty-one months after a mob of his supporters stormed the US Capitol to try to stop the certification of the 2020 election, Mr Trump sat in the E Barrett Prettyman Courthouse nearby to face criminal charges.

Read more...

Trump’s arraignment over efforts to overturn 2020 election: How historic day unfolded

Who are Trump’s six alleged co-conspirators?

04:15 , Oliver O'Connell

Donald Trump has been hit with his third indictment– this time for conspiring to overturn the 2020 presidential election in an attempt to thwart the vote of the American people.

A grand jury, which has spent months hearing evidence in special counsel Jack Smith’s investigation, returned a federal indictment on Tuesday 1 August.

The former president was charged with four 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.

Mr Trump was arraigned in DC on Thursday and pleaded not guilty.

While the former president is the only person charged, the indictment refers to six co-conspirators who worked with him to try to overturn the 2020 presidential election.

So, who are they?

Who are Trump’s six alleged co-conspirators in the 2020 election probe case?

Giuliani goes on unhinged rant claiming Mike Pence’s wife leads him around on a leash

03:15 , Oliver O'Connell

Rudy Giuliani claimed that Mike Pence is being led around on a leash by his wife during a mad rant sparked by the former vice president’s comments on Donald Trump’s latest indictment.

Mr Giuliani, Mr Trump’s former lawyer and allegedly one of the co-conspirators in that indictment, went after Mr Pence on Newsmax after he slammed the former president’s gaggle of “crackpot lawyers” for supporting his lies in connection to the 2020 election.

Gustaf Kilander reports.

Rudy Giuliani claims Mike Pence’s wife leads him around on a leash

02:15 , Oliver O'Connell

Watch: Donald Trump’s motorcade blocked by herd of goats

‘ IF YOU GO AFTER ME, I’M COMING AFTER YOU!’

01:45 , Oliver O'Connell

Former president Donald Trump lashed out at authorities on Friday afternoon, a day after his arraignment on four charges related to his attempts to overturn the 2020 presidential election results.

Eric Garcia reports from Washington, DC.

Trump strikes threatening tone: ‘ IF YOU GO AFTER ME, I’M COMING AFTER YOU!’

Did Trump have a ‘good’ or ‘sad’ day at 2020 election arraignment? He doesn’t seem to know

01:15 , Oliver O'Connell

Donald Trump couldn’t seem to decide whether he had a “good day” or a “sad day” as he was arrested and arraigned on four criminal charges over his attempts to overthrow the 2020 presidential election.

The former president appeared in court in Washington DC on Thursday afternoon, where he pleaded not guilty to all charges in what now marks his third criminal case.

Rachel Sharp reports.

Trump can’t decide if he had a ‘good’ or ‘sad’ day at 2020 election arraignment

Federal judge wants Giuliani to clarify ‘incongruous’ and ‘puzzling’ court filing

Saturday 5 August 2023 00:45 , Oliver O'Connell

A federal judge has asked Rudy Giuliani to clarify his “seemingly incongruous and certainly puzzling caveats” in a recent filing in which he appears to admit he made false and defamatory statements about two Georgia election workers in the aftermath of the 2020 presidential election.

But Mr Giuliani and his attorney have argued that the extremely carefully worded filing – which attempts to move the case along to avoid revealing more evidence – is not an admission.

Alex Woodward reports.

Giuliani must clarify his ‘puzzling’ court filing in Georgia defamation case

Trump reportedly ‘irked’ to be called ‘Mr Trump’ at arraignment

Saturday 5 August 2023 00:15 , Oliver O'Connell

Donald Trump is said to have been left in a foul mood after his arraignment in Washington DC on Thursday – but not for the reason that many would think.

The former president was “irked” that US District Judge Moxila Upadhyaya referred to him as “Mr Trump” and not “Mr President” as he was formally hit with four charges over his attempts to overturn the 2020 presidential election, according to CNN.

Rachel Sharp reports.

Trump reportedly ‘irked’ that arraignment judge called him ‘Mr Trump’

Voices: Inside the courtroom, it was clear this indictment is different for Donald Trump

Friday 4 August 2023 23:45 , Oliver O'Connell

Andrew Feinberg writes:

Unlike the South Florida courtroom that was very much on the ex-president’s home turf, Magistrate Judge Upadhyaya made clear that Mr Trump is no longer in control of his fate.

Read more...

Inside the courtroom, it was clear this indictment is different for Donald Trump

Orlando Magic slammed by NBA players union for $50k donation to pro-DeSantis PAC

Friday 4 August 2023 23:15 , Oliver O'Connell

The players union for NBA criticised the owners of the Orlando Magic for giving money to a super PAC that supports Florida Gov Ron DeSantis’s presidential bid.

A Federal Election Commission filing showed that Orlando Magic LTD donated $50,000 to Never Back Down, a super PAC that supports Mr DeSantis’s presidential bid. Campaigns cannot officially coordinate with campaigns, but Mr DeSantis has frequently blurred the lines with Never Back Down, frequently appearing as a special guest.

A statement from the National Basketball Players Association said the contribution does not reflect player support for Mr DeSantis.

Read on...

NBA players union slams Orlando Magic for $50k donation to pro-DeSantis PAC

Pelosi: Trump looked like ‘a scared puppy’ during arraignment

Friday 4 August 2023 22:45 , Oliver O'Connell

Former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) said that former president Donald Trump exuded no bravado or confidence as he appeared in Washington DC for his arraignment on federal charges this week.

Ms Pelosi led the House of Representatives during both of Mr Trump’s impeachments, first for his attempt to condition aid to Ukraine on newly elected President Volodymyr Zelensky investigating Joe Biden’s son Hunter, and then in 2021 for his actions during the January 6 insurrection.

Mr Trump appeared at the E Barrett Prettyman Courthouse on Thursday and pleaded not guilty to four charges stemming from his attempt to overturn the 2020 presidential election results.

Eric Garcia has the story.

Pelosi says Trump looked like ‘a scared puppy’ during arraignment

Pro-Trump attorney charged with conspiring to seize Michigan voting machines

Friday 4 August 2023 22:15 , Oliver O'Connell

A pro-Trump attorney from Michigan has been charged with conspiring to seize voting machines after the 2020 election.

Stefanie Lambert Junttila faces four charges on the state level. She’s the third person charged in the probe into supporters of former President Donald Trump attempting to breach machines all around the state as they tried to prove that Mr Trump had won Michigan’s presidential election.

President Joe Biden won the state by more than 150,000 votes.

Gustaf Kilander reports.

Pro-Trump lawyer charged with conspiring to seize voting machines after 2020 election

Trump posts all-caps threat

Friday 4 August 2023 22:10 , Oliver O'Connell

To round off a 24-hour period in which he has pleaded not guilty twice, former president Donald Trump issued a stark threat to those seeking justice for his alleged crimes.

IF YOU GO AFTER ME, I’M COMING AFTER YOU!

Understandably, this provoked quite a reaction on Twitter.

Voices: Trump has been charged. But what about his past?

Friday 4 August 2023 22:00 , Oliver O'Connell

Eric Garcia writes that even if Trump is convicted, he fundamentally reshaped the Republican Party and the country as a whole. It will be nearly impossible to undo his actions...

Trump has been charged. But what about his past?

Pelosi: Trump is scared

Friday 4 August 2023 21:45 , Oliver O'Connell

Former Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi said of Donald Trump’s third arraignment in four months that the former president is like “a scared puppy” and that he has to “face the music”.

Watch:

Additional layer of fencing going up outside Fulton County Courthouse

Friday 4 August 2023 21:20 , Oliver O'Connell

As we await the expected fourth indictment of former president Donald Trump in the 2020 election interference case brought by Fulton County Attorney General Fani Willis in Georgia, an extra layer of fencing is being erected outside the county courthouse in expectation of crowds and huge media interest.

A decision on the indictment is expected in the next couple of weeks.

Voices: It has been a good week for democracy — in more ways than one

Friday 4 August 2023 21:15 , Oliver O'Connell

Skylar Baker-Jordan writes:

It has been a good week for democracy.

Two members of the Tennessee Three, Justin Pearson of Memphis and Justin Jones of Nashville, were overwhelmingly reelected to the seats Republicans expelled them from earlier this year. Their crime? Speaking up for the victims of gun violence in the wake of the horrific massacre at Covenant School, one of the darkest days in our state’s recent history.

Read on...

It has been a good week for democracy - in more ways than one

Watch: Bill Barr hits back at criticism of indictment as reprehensible

Friday 4 August 2023 21:00 , Oliver O'Connell

In an appearance on Fox News, former attorney general Bill Barr hit back at criticms that the indictment of Donald Trump over the 2020 election was in some way “reprehensible”, firing back that “what was reprehensible was the conduct after the election” by the former president.

Biden campaign embraces ‘Dark Brandon’ meme

Friday 4 August 2023 20:50 , Oliver O'Connell

The Biden campaign has coopted the Dark Brandon meme and most of their merch sales come from products which incorporate it.

On Thursday, the Biden campaign posted a video of the president having a cup of coffee with the mug featuring an image of Mr Biden with laser eyes in the style of the widespread meme.

“I like my coffee dark,” Mr Biden says in the short clip.

Gustaf Kilander has the story.

Biden campaign embraces ‘Dark Brandon’ meme with new merch

Christie tells Zelensky he wants to be America’s ‘eyes’ in surprise Kyiv visit

Friday 4 August 2023 20:30 , Oliver O'Connell

Republican presidential candidate and fierce Trump critic Chris Christie has made a surprise visit to Ukraine to meet with President Volodymyr Zelensky.

The former New Jersey governor arrived in Kyiv on Friday, becoming the second contender for the GOP nomination to make the trip after former Vice President Mike Pence in June.

Read more...

Chris Christie meets Volodymyr Zelensky in surprise Ukraine visit

Full story: Trump pleads not guilty to new charges in Mar-a-Lago documents case

Friday 4 August 2023 20:15 , Oliver O'Connell

Less than 24 hours after he appeared to answer the latest federal indictment against him in a Washington, DC courtroom, former president Donald Trump officially entered a plea of “not guilty” to the 40-count superseding indictment in a separate case against him in the Southern District of Florida.

Mr Trump did not appear in court to enter a plea, but his attorney, Christopher Kise, filed a waiver of appearance in which the former president entered a plea to the new charges that a South Florida grand jury approved against him last Thursday.

Andrew Feinberg reports.

Trump pleads not guilty to new charges in Mar-a-Lago documents case

Trump continues to gripe about timing of criminal indictments

Friday 4 August 2023 20:05 , Oliver O'Connell

The former president still doesn’t appear to believe that serious crimes should be thoroughly investigated before charges are filed, or how these generally work...

Here’s the latest from Truth Social:

Isn’t is TERRIBLE that a Political Opponent can haphazardly charge you with FAKE crimes in the middle of your campaign in order to interfere with your time & message, and there is nothing you can do to stop this travesty of “justice.” They had 2.5 years to file, long before the campaign started. Another Russia, Russia, Russia HOAX. Should not be allowed to happen!

DeSantis says Trump’s claims of stolen 2020 election weren’t ‘true’

Friday 4 August 2023 19:47 , Oliver O'Connell

Florida governor and 2024 presidential candidate Ron DeSantis said on Friday that Donald Trump’s claims that the 2020 election was rigged are not true.

Josh Marcus is following this developing story.

Ron DeSantis says Trump’s claims of stolen 2020 election weren’t ‘true’

Trump pleads not guilty (again) and will not attend classified docs superseding indictment arraignment

Friday 4 August 2023 19:38 , Oliver O'Connell

Former president Donald Trump pleaded not guilty for the second time in 24 hours for the additional charges in the superseding indictment in the federal classified records prosecution against him.

He also signed a waiver (in Sharpie) notifying a federal court in Florida that he will not be attending this Thursday’s arraignment

Read more about the supseding indictment below:

Trump hit with more charges as Mar-a-Lago worker added to documents case

Everything we know about Trump’s upcoming federal trial

Friday 4 August 2023 19:30 , Oliver O'Connell

Kelly Rissman breaks down everything we know so far about Donald Trump’s upcoming trial for the four criminal counts connected to the events leading up to January 6 and his alleged efforts to overturn the 2020 election.

Most importantly, whether or not it will be televised...

Why Democrats are calling for Trump’s trial to be televised

Michael Cohen claims Jared Kushner ‘probably a cooperating witness’ in probe

Friday 4 August 2023 19:10 , Oliver O'Connell

Michael Cohen, the former attorney and fixer for former president Donald Trump, claims the ex-president’s son-in-law and former adviser is one of the witnesses who has given evidence about him to the prosecutors who will seek to convict and imprison him next year.

Andrew Feinberg reports from Washington, DC.

Michael Cohen claims Trump’s son-in-law is ‘probably a cooperating witness’ in probe

Voices: Amid the chaos, Donald Trump’s judge gave a subtle message

Friday 4 August 2023 18:50 , Oliver O'Connell

Noah Berlatsky writes:

Former president and current Republican presidential frontrunner Donald Trump was reportedly upset at his arraignment in Washington DC on Thursday. Trump, who has been indicted for allegedly attempting to overturn his loss in the 2020 election, is accustomed to being referred to by his cronies and sycophants as “Mr. President.” But US District Judge Moxila Upadhyaya called him, “Mr. Trump.”

Trump was, as a result, “sour and dejected” and “irked,” according to CNN.

Read on...

The subtle message from Donald Trump’s judge

Trump’s own lawyer ‘admits’ to indictment charge on live TV

Friday 4 August 2023 18:30 , Oliver O'Connell

A lawyer for former President Donald Trump, John Lauro, seemed to admit to a charge listed in the indictment related to January 6 and the efforts to overturn the 2020 election, shocking an MSNBC panel.

Mr Lauro on Thursday told Fox News host Laura Ingraham that leading up to January 6, Mr Trump supported Mr Pence sending the election results back to the states.

Kelly Rissman reports on the jaw-dropping moment.

Moment Trump’s own lawyer ‘admits’ to indictment charge live on TV

Trump claims charges filed now to disrupt election (as opposed to before each case was investigated)

Friday 4 August 2023 18:20 , Oliver O'Connell

Donald Trump has reiterated his claim that charges against him were only filed now to disrupt the 2024 election in favour of Joe Biden. The former president said they could have been filed two and half years previous... which would be before any specific crimes were identified and properly investigated, which says a lot about his beliefs in the justice system and law and order in general.

Here’s what he posted on Truth Social this lunchtime:

Every one of these many Fake Charges filed against me by the Corrupt Biden DOJ could have been filed 2.5 years ago, but they waited and waited until I became dominant in the Polls, and then they filed them all, including locals, right in the middle of my Campaign. They want anybody but “TRUMP.” Not fair and perhaps, not legal. ELECTION INTERFERENCE!!!

Giuliani goes on unhinged rant claiming Mike Pence’s wife leads him around on a leash

Friday 4 August 2023 17:50 , Oliver O'Connell

Rudy Giuliani claimed that Mike Pence is being led around on a leash by his wife during a mad rant sparked by the former vice president’s comments on Donald Trump’s latest indictment.

Mr Giuliani, Mr Trump’s former lawyer and allegedly one of the co-conspirators in that indictment, went after Mr Pence on Newsmax after he slammed the former president’s gaggle of “crackpot lawyers” for supporting his lies in connection to the 2020 election.

Gustaf Kilander has the story.

Rudy Giuliani claims Mike Pence’s wife leads him around on a leash

Poll: Trump could lose half his voters if he’s convicted

Friday 4 August 2023 17:30 , Oliver O'Connell

Nearly half of Republican supporters wouldn’t vote for Donald Trump in the upcoming election if the former president is convicted of a felony, according to a new poll.

Alisha Rahaman Sarkar has the details.

Trump could lose half his voters if he’s convicted, poll shows

Amid everything else, there were unexpected goats...

Friday 4 August 2023 17:10 , Oliver O'Connell

Watch: Donald Trump’s motorcade blocked by herd of goats

Was yesterday ‘good’ or ‘sad’ for Trump? He can’t decide...

Friday 4 August 2023 16:50 , Oliver O'Connell

Donald Trump couldn’t seem to decide whether he had a “good day” or a “sad day” as he was arrested and arraigned on four criminal charges over his attempts to overthrow the 2020 presidential election.

Rachel Sharp reports.

Trump can’t decide if he had a ‘good’ or ‘sad’ day at 2020 election arraignment

Special counsel must propose trial date by 10 August

Friday 4 August 2023 16:35 , Oliver O'Connell

Scott MacFarlane of CBS News reports that the DC federal court has ordered Special Counsel Jack Smith’s office to “file a brief proposing a trial date and providing an estimate of the time required to set forth the prosecution’s case in chief during that trial” in the January 6 prosecution of Donald Trump by 10 August.

No surprise, Trump reportedly irked by being called 'Mr’

Friday 4 August 2023 16:30 , Oliver O'Connell

The former president was “irked” that US District Judge Moxila Upadhyaya referred to him as “Mr Trump” and not “Mr President” as he was formally hit with four charges over his attempts to overturn the 2020 presidential election, according to CNN.

A source told the network on Thursday that the former president subsequently left the court appearance “sour and dejected” as a result.

Rachel Sharp has the story.

Trump reportedly ‘irked’ that arraignment judge called him ‘Mr Trump’

UK Republicans chairman wishes Trump was not running for president

Friday 4 August 2023 16:10 , Oliver O'Connell

The chairman of a UK-based Republican group has said a lot of conservatives wish former US president Donald Trump would not run in the forthcoming election.

Greg Swenson, from Republicans Overseas UK, told the PA news agency the latest indictment against Mr Trump was a “weaponisation of the judicial system” but said it would be “better for the party and the country” if he did not run for president again.

Full story:

Chairman of UK Republican group wishes Donald Trump would not run for president

Will Trump’s history of lies finally catch up to him?

Friday 4 August 2023 15:50 , Oliver O'Connell

A persistent lie that the 2020 election was stolen from him fuelled violence at the US Capitol on 6 January 2021, sustained partisan investigations intended to reverse the outcomes in states he lost, inspired Republican-led legislation in nearly every state to change how elections are run, and has formed the basis of Mr Trump’s 2024 campaign.

Did he believe the “truth” of his claims? And how often was he told, by both his advisers and White House officials, that he was wrong?

These are questions that prosecutors are likely considering as US Department of Justice special counsel Jack Smith and his team prosecute the former president, but they won’t need to establish that he was aware that he was spreading misinformation to charge him for crimes allegedly committed to throw out millions of Americans’ votes and remain in power.

Years of evidence, however, suggests that he knew what he was saying was false, or that he should have known he was not telling the truth when he waged his assault on an election he lost to Joe Biden.

Read on...

How Trump’s history of election lies could finally catch up with him

How historic day of third arraignment unfolded

Friday 4 August 2023 15:30 , Oliver O'Connell

America had another historic day on Thursday 3 August as former president Donald Trump turned himself in to face charges related to his alleged conspiring to overturn the 2020 presidential election as part of a desperate bid to defy the will of voters and remain at the head of the US government.

Thirty-one months after a mob of his supporters stormed the US Capitol to try to stop the certification of the 2020 election, Mr Trump sat in the E Barrett Prettyman Courthouse nearby to face criminal charges.

At his arraignment, Mr Trump pleaded not guilty to all four federal charges.

The ex-president was indicted on the federal charges on Tuesday 1 August following an investigation led by Justice Department special counsel Jack Smith’s office.

The arraignment marked Mr Trump’s third criminal indictment and second federal indictment as his legal troubles continue to mount at a time when he is pursuing his third run for the White House.

Here’s how the day unfolded.

Trump’s arraignment over efforts to overturn 2020 election: How historic day unfolded

‘Must be unconstitutional?’: Trump moans criminal proceedings keeping him from 2024 campaign

Friday 4 August 2023 15:20 , Oliver O'Connell

On Truth Social on Friday morning, Donald Trump moaned that President Joe Biden and Attorney General Merrick Garland had filed “bogus cases against me so it becomes difficult for me to campaign. Nothing like this has every happened before. Must be Unconstitutional? BUT SOMEHOW, WE WILL WIN IT ALL!!!”

Gustaf Kilander reports.

Trump moans criminal cases are keeping him from the campaign trail

WATCH: Anderson Cooper calls out hypocrisy of Trump’s criticism of Washington DC

Friday 4 August 2023 15:15 , Rachel Sharp

Where is Melania Trump? Former First Lady absent at Donald Trump’s indictment

Friday 4 August 2023 14:59 , Oliver O'Connell

As Donald Trump pleaded not guilty in court on Thursday (3 August) after being arrested and arraigned for conspiring to overturn the 2020 presidential election, his wife, Melania Trump was nowhere to be seen.

While the former president has criticised the indictment, calling for the “fake” case to be moved out of Washington DC, where he claims it is “impossible to get a fair trial”, his wife, 53-year-old Melania, has not been by his side at the court proceedings in his third criminal case.

Melania Trump has reportedly rejected multiple requests to appear alongside her husband, former president Donald Trump, at campaign stops and appearances as part of the multiple criminal cases against him in New York and Florida.

Read the full story:

Where is Melania Trump? Former First Lady absent at Donald Trump’s indictment

Trump starts his morning with (you guessed it) a Truth Social rant

Friday 4 August 2023 14:45 , Rachel Sharp

Donald Trump started his morning on Friday with a characteristic Truth Social rant – hitting out at “Crooked Joe”, “election interference” and Fox & Friends.

“CRAZY! My political opponent has hit me with a barrage of weak lawsuits, including D.A., A.G., and others, which require massive amounts of my time & money to adjudicate. Resources that would have gone into Ads and Rallies, will now have to be spent fighting these Radical Left Thugs in numerous courts throughout the Country. I am leading in all Polls, including against Crooked Joe, but this is not a level playing field. It is Election Interference, & the Supreme Court must intercede. MAGA!” he wrote.

In a follow-up post, he took aim at Fox & Friends: “Why is it that Fox & Friends refuses to put up all of the polls where I am beating Biden, and DeSanctimonious is getting clobbered? He’s also down to me by 40 plus points, and not coming back. No wonder their ratings are way down!!!”

Who are Trump’s six alleged co-conspirators?

Friday 4 August 2023 14:30 , Oliver O'Connell

Donald Trump has been hit with his third indictment– this time for conspiring to overturn the 2020 presidential election in an attempt to thwart the vote of the American people.

A grand jury, which has spent months hearing evidence in special counsel Jack Smith’s investigation, returned a federal indictment on Tuesday (1 August).

The former president was charged with four 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.

While the former president is the only person charged, the indictment refers to six co-conspirators who worked with him to try to overturn the 2020 presidential election.

Who are they?

Who are Trump’s six alleged co-conspirators in the 2020 election probe case?

Recap: Trump pleads not guilty to federal conspiracy charges in plot to overturn 2020 election

Friday 4 August 2023 14:10 , Oliver O'Connell

Donald Trump has pleaded not guilty to four criminal charges stemming from his attempt to overturn the election he lost to Joe Biden less than three years ago.

Mr Trump entered his plea on the second-floor courtroom at the E Barrett Prettyman Courthouse in Washington DC on 3 August, just a short walk from where a mob of his supporters began assaulting police officers at the start of the January 6 attack on the US Capitol.

The twice-impeached, now-thrice-indicted ex-president’s appearance in criminal court – his third since April – comes just two days after a Washington DC grand jury charged him with three criminal conspiracies and obstruction in connection with his attempts to overturn the results of the 2020 presidential election.

Andrew Feinberg was at the courthouse in Washington, DC, and filed this report for The Independent.

Trump pleads not guilty

Analysis: Donald Trump’s latest indictment is a test for America

Friday 4 August 2023 13:45 , Oliver O'Connell

How far can a president go to cling to power?

Alex Woodward reports.

Donald Trump’s latest indictment is a test for America

Trump can’t decide if he had a ‘good’ or ‘sad’ day at 2020 election arraignment

Friday 4 August 2023 13:30 , Rachel Sharp

Donald Trump couldn’t seem to decide whether he had a “good day” or a “sad day” as he was arrested and arraigned on four criminal charges over his attempts to overthrow the 2020 presidential election.

The former president appeared in court in Washington DC on Thursday afternoon where he pleaded not guilty to all charges in what now marks his third criminal case.

Following the arraignment, he returned to his Bedminster estate and took to Truth Social where, he claimed – in a full-caps late-night rant – that he had a “very good day”.

“CONSIDERING THE FACT THAT I HAD TO FLY TO A FILTHY, DIRTY, FALLING APART, & VERY UNSAFE WASHINGTON, D.C., TODAY, & THAT I WAS THEN ARRESTED BY MY POLITICAL OPPONENT, WHO IS LOSING BADLY TO ME IN THE POLLS, CROOKED JOE BIDEN, IT WAS A VERY GOOD DAY!” he wrote on Truth Social.

Read the full story:

Trump can’t decide if he had a ‘good’ or ‘sad’ day at 2020 election arraignment

Voices: Trump may face prison time. But that won’t stop him

Friday 4 August 2023 13:15 , Oliver O'Connell

Noah Berlatsky writes:

Trump is a stunningly arrogant and reckless man, willing to gamble everything on a scheme that was unlikely to succeed and was quite likely to land him in legal jeopardy. But his incompetence doesn’t necessarily limit his ability to do harm, as some critics hoped when he began running for president in 2016. Instead, his obliviousness and blundering assault on the fabric of US democracy has made him a uniquely dangerous figure.

Read more...

Trump may face prison time. But that won’t stop him

WATCH: Ex-Trump spokesperson sheds light on Melania’s absence from arraignment

Friday 4 August 2023 13:00 , Rachel Sharp

Former Trump spokesperson sheds light on Melania’s absence from his arraignment

Trump vows revenge on ‘Crooked Joe Biden’ for ‘concocted’ criminal charges

Friday 4 August 2023 12:45 , Oliver O'Connell

In his latest Truth Social post, just hours before he appears in court for his third arraignment, Donald Trump has vowed revenge for being criminally charged during the 2024 campaign.

The former president hit out at “Crooked Joe Biden”, accusing him of telling his attorney general, Merrick Garland, to charge him with “as many crimes as can be concocted”, forcing him to spend large amounts of time and money to defend himself.

Read on...

Trump promises revenge for 2020 election indictment with 2024 victory

Trump reportedly ‘irked’ that arraignment judge called him ‘Mr Trump’ not ‘Mr President’

Friday 4 August 2023 12:30 , Rachel Sharp

Donald Trump is said to have been left in a foul mood after his arraignment in Washington DC on Thursday – but not for the reason that many would think.

The former president was “irked” that US District Judge Moxila Upadhyaya referred to him as “Mr Trump” and not “Mr President” as he was formally hit with four charges over his attempts to overturn the 2020 presidential election, according to CNN.

A source told the network on Thursday that the former president subsequently left the court appearance “sour and dejected” as a result.

Read the full story:

Trump ‘irked’ that arraignment judge didn’t call him ‘Mr President’

Will Trump’s alleged co-conspirators turn on him?

Friday 4 August 2023 12:15 , Oliver O'Connell

Donald Trump wasn’t alone in pursuing his alleged plot to overturn the 2020 presidential election.

In his latest federal criminal indictment, the Justice Department refers to six co-conspirators who also conspired with him to cling onto power at all costs.

Might they turn on him?

Will Trump’s alleged co-conspirators in the Jan 6 indictment turn on him?

WATCH: Donald Trump’s January 6 arraignment, as it happened

Friday 4 August 2023 12:00 , Rachel Sharp

Read the full text of Trump’s indictment

Friday 4 August 2023 11:45 , Oliver O'Connell

Read the full text of Trump’s indictment from the Jan 6 grand jury

Trump warned not to bribe witnesses

Friday 4 August 2023 11:30 , Rachel Sharp

Donald Trump was given a series of warnings by the judge overseeing his arraignment on charges of attempting to overturn the 2020 presidential election.

US Magistrate Judge Moxila Upadhyaya told the former president that he is not to bribe, influence or retaliate against witnesses in the case.

This comes after the House committee investigating the report from the January 6 Capitol riot accused Mr Trump and his allies of contacting and trying to influence a witness.

The warning to Trump is notable given the House committee that investigated the Jan. 6 attack on the Capitol alleged the former president and his allies tried to contact and influence a witness in that probe

Trump reportedly left 'irked' that arraignment judge didn't address him as 'president'

Friday 4 August 2023 11:16 , Rachel Sharp

Donald Trump was far from impressed that the judge didn't address him as “president” during his arraignment in Washington DC, according to a report.

A source told CNN on Thursday that the former president was left “irked” that Judge Moxila Upadhyaya referred to him as “Mr Trump”.

“I’m learning tonight that Trump left here in a sour and dejected mood,” she said.

“He was, quote, ‘pissed off,’ according to someone who spoke to him.”

She added: “I am told that the former president, one thing that irked him particularly, was during that hearing today that lasted about 27 minutes, was when the magistrate judge referred to him as simply ‘Mr Trump.’”

Mr Trump’s alleged annoyance comes as he is typically still referred to as “President Trump” by his staff at Mar-a-Lago and Bedminster.

Who is the judge overseeing Trump’s 2020 election probe case?

Friday 4 August 2023 11:00 , Oliver O'Connell

Washington DC District Judge Tanya Chutkan has been assigned the case, according to the court docket. Mr Trump will appear before her at a later date which will be determined after his arraignment.

Judge Chutkan is an appointee of former President Barack Obama and was first appointed to the US District Court for the District of Columbia in June 2014.

Read more...

Tanya Chutkan: Who is the judge overseeing Trump’s 2020 election probe case?

VOICES: Lock him up? Why Trump could still beat Biden from behind bars

Friday 4 August 2023 10:45 , Rachel Sharp

The former president draws his support from a base that is deeply suspicious of the establishment, says Mary Dejevsky. Persecuting him in the courts may actually give Trump the advantage in the presidential race

Lock him up? Why Trump could still beat Biden from behind bars | Mary Dejevsky

Voices: It’s tempting to think of Trump in an orange jumpsuit - but are the charges too hard to prove?

Friday 4 August 2023 10:15 , Oliver O'Connell

Sean O’Grady writes:

“Jail to the Chief” is supposed to be a joke, not a reality. The founding fathers certainly couldn’t have been expected to make provision for such a turn of events when they established the American republic.

Read on...

It’s tempting to think of Trump in jail - but can charges be proven?

Trump claims he had a ‘very good day’ at arraignment

Friday 4 August 2023 10:00 , Rachel Sharp

Donald Trump has claimed that he had a “very good day” at his arraignment on Thursday – where he pleaded not guilty to four charges over his attempts to overturn the 2020 election.

“CONSIDERING THE FACT THAT I HAD TO FLY TO A FILTHY, DIRTY, FALLING APART, & VERY UNSAFE WASHINGTON, D.C., TODAY, & THAT I WAS THEN ARRESTED BY MY POLITICAL OPPONENT, WHO IS LOSING BADLY TO ME IN THE POLLS, CROOKED JOE BIDEN, IT WAS A VERY GOOD DAY!” he wrote on Truth Social.

Click here to read the full blog on The Independent's website