Former President Donald Trump has pleaded not guilty to the charges brought against him in Fulton County, Georgia. The charges include racketeering, conspiracy to impersonate a public official, solicitation of violation of oath by a public officer, and conspiracy to commit forgery in the first degree.[0] Trump surrendered to authorities in Georgia last week and was charged by a Fulton County grand jury earlier this month. He waived his right to an arraignment, meaning he will not return to Atlanta next week.[1]
Trump's lawyers have also requested that his case be severed from his co-defendants, two of whom are seeking a speedy trial. The proposed trial date of October 24 has been opposed by Trump's legal team, who argue that they will not have sufficient time to prepare.[2] They claim that this would violate Trump's constitutional rights to a fair trial and due process of law.
Furthermore, Trump's legal team is seeking to remove his case from state court to federal court, similar to the attempt made by his former White House chief of staff, Mark Meadows. They argue that a speedy trial would have adverse procedural and substantive effects and that they need more time to adequately prepare.[0]
Fani Willis, the District Attorney of Fulton County, had previously asked for a trial to commence on October 23, involving all 19 defendants, including Trump.[3] However, Trump's legal team has opposed this date. No trial date has been set yet, but Judge Scott McAfee has ruled that all court proceedings will be livestreamed on the Fulton County Court YouTube channel.[4]
Trump's plea of not guilty comes as he remains the frontrunner in the Republican Party's 2024 presidential nomination race. He surrendered to the Fulton County jail last week, where he was processed and had his mugshot taken. Despite the charges against him, Trump's supporters continue to rally behind him.
The trial is expected to draw significant media attention. Judge McAfee has expressed openness to accommodating media coverage, including the possibility of a larger courtroom or overflow room for journalists.[5] The trial will mark the first time in American history that cameras and livestreaming coverage will be allowed inside the courtroom for a former president's trial.[6]
As the legal proceedings unfold, the case against Trump will continue to be closely watched. The outcome of the trial could have significant implications for Trump's political future and the broader implications of election interference in the United States.
0. “Trump Pushes For Separate Trial In Georgia Case As Co-Defendants Seek Trial In Just Two Months” Forbes, 31 Aug. 2023, https://www.forbes.com/sites/brianbushard/2023/08/31/trump-pushes-for-separate-trial-in-georgia-case-as-co-defendants-seek-trial-in-just-2-months/
1. “What would Trump's TV trial look like?” The Independent, 1 Sep. 2023, https://www.independent.co.uk/voices/donald-trump-trial-not-guilty-b2402832.html
2. “Trump legal news brief: Letitia James accuses Trump of inflating net worth by billions as former president pleads not guilty in Georgia” Yahoo News, 31 Aug. 2023, https://news.yahoo.com/trump-legal-news-brief-letitia-james-accuses-trump-of-inflating-net-worth-by-billions-as-former-president-pleads-not-guilty-in-georgia-184344230.html
3. “Trump Georgia election trial will be televised and live streamed, judge says” New York Post , 1 Sep. 2023, https://nypost.com/2023/08/31/trump-georgia-election-trial-will-be-televised-and-live-streamed-judge-says
4. “Trump's Trial May Have to Move, Judge Announces” Newsweek, 31 Aug. 2023, https://www.newsweek.com/trump-trial-may-move-judge-announces-1823857
5. “Judge in Georgia Trump indictment announces proceedings will stream on YouTube” WSB Atlanta, 31 Aug. 2023, https://www.wsbtv.com/news/local/fulton-county/judge-georgia-trump-indictment-announces-proceedings-will-stream-youtube/AQYLJRM3GZA6BN7Z6VUDG5T3YU
6. “UPDATES: Trump hearings, trials will be YouTube live streamed” Atlanta News First, 31 Aug. 2023, https://www.atlantanewsfirst.com/2023/08/31/updates-judge-approves-youtube-stream-donald-trump-hearings-trials/
