Former US President Donald Trump has filed a not guilty plea to four charges related to his efforts to rig the 2020 presidential election.

Donald Trump’s initial court appearance and arraignment in the 2020 election meddling case is now over. It took about 27 minutes to complete the process. Trump has left the courtroom after the hearing. The courthouse in Washington, DC, where the arrest and arraignment took place, had a front-row seat to the violence that broke out at the US Capitol on January 6, 2021.

Also read | Trump speaks to media after court appearance, calls arraignment “persecution of a political opponent”

The special counsel Jack Smith’s office did not seek Donald Trump’s pretrial detention. Instead, the former president will be granted parole with only the barest of restrictions, one of which prohibits him from speaking with any known witnesses in the case without first getting permission from his lawyer.

Trump stood up during the proceedings and raised his right hand in an oath to uphold the terms of his release. He also agreed to abide by the conditions by signing the required paperwork.

Also read | From Rick Scott to Ted Cruz: What did GOP lawmakers say about Donald Trump’s historic court appearance

The next hearing in the case is set for August 28, just five days after the first Republican presidential primary debate. This timing attracts alert to the special conditions that the top candidate for the 2024 candidacy is dealing with, including an unusual federal court schedule.

Trump was charged on Tuesday as a result of the investigation by special counsel Jack Smith into his alleged attempts to rig the election before the attack on the US Capitol on January 6, 2021. The accusations against him include conspiracy to defraud the United States, obstruction of justice, conspiracy against rights, and conspiracy to hinder an official process. 

Also read | Will Donald Trump face pretrial detention after latest charges?

After the hearing, Trump criticized the fresh accusations made against him on Thursday, saying they are part of a broader scheme to influence the 2024 presidential race. He called the charges against the defendant “a persecution of a political opponent.”