Trump to enter not guilty plea to revised indictment, waives right to appear at arraignment

Former President Donald Trump on Tuesday said he is pleading not guilty to four charges related to his alleged efforts to overturn the results of the 2020 election, according to a new court filing.

Special counsel Jack Smith filed a superseding indictment against Trump last week, after his team made changes to the case that they hope better align with the Supreme Court's ruling on presidential immunity. The updated indictment dropped allegations that Trump attempted to pressure the U.S. Justice Department to overturn the results of the 2020 election, but the charges themselves are the same.

Trump said he will not appear at the arraignment in person, but has authorized his defense team to enter the plea on his behalf. 

"I, President Donald J. Trump ... 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," the former president said in the filing. 

U.S. District Judge Tanya Chutkan has accepted the waiver, and scheduled the arraignment for Thursday, which will occur during a previously-scheduled status conference on the case, NBC News reported.

The charges include conspiracy to defraud the United States; conspiracy to obstruct an official proceeding;  conspiracy against rights; and obstruction of and attempt to obstruct an official proceeding.

Misty Severi is an evening news reporter for Just The News. You can follow her on X for more coverage.