Former President Donald Trump has found himself embroiled in a legal dispute of epic proportions. On August 1, 2023, the United States charged the former President with the following crimes: 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. In short, a grand jury has determined there is enough evidence to take the former President to court for allegedly attempting to overturn the results of the most recent presidential election. As expected, Trump has denied all charges levied against him and appeared before the United States District Court for the District of Columbia to enter a plea of not guilty.
“When you look at what’s happening this is a persecution of a political opponent. This was never supposed to happen in America. This is the persecution of the person that’s leading by very, very substantial numbers in the Republican primary, and leading Biden by a lot,” Trump said on Thursday, according to The Hill.
“So if you can’t beat him you persecute him or you prosecute him.”
It may take a bit of time for the trial to begin. The former President’s legal defense team have waived their right to a speedy trial and have asked for more time to review the evidence presented against their client.
“These are weighty issues,” John Lauro, attorney for Donald Trump, said, according to POLITICO.
“Obviously, the U.S. has had three and a half years to investigate this matter, and also there’s a number of agents and lawyers that are assisting the government in this proceeding. And all I’m going to ask, Your Honor, is the opportunity to fairly defend our client. But in order to do that, we’re going to need a little time.”
U.S. Magistrate Judge Moxila Upadhyaya has accepted the request of the defense and scheduled Trump’s next court appearance for August 28, 2023.
