Media and law enforcement descended on the federal courthouse in Washington, D.C., hours before former President Donald Trump was scheduled to be arraigned.
But as the morning got underway, there emerged a notable difference from the two other indictment cases earlier this year: a lack of supporters outside the courthouse protesting Trump’s charges. At least one protester was seen outside the E. Barrett Prettyman Federal Courthouse on Thursday morning waving a “Trump or Death" flag and donning a “Make America Great Again” hat.
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The man said he had been present at all three of Trump’s indictments so far this year — the others were in New York and Florida. Speaking with reporters, he brushed off concerns of federal charges, noting he hopes Trump “enjoys the 5-point bump he’ll get today in the polls.”
At least one protester has showed up to the courthouse, says he’s been to all three of Trump’s arraignments. Says he hopes Trump enjoys the “5-point bump he’ll get today in the polls.” pic.twitter.com/Fy8KRba2yV
— Cami Mondeaux (@cami_mondeaux) August 3, 2023
As of 10:15 a.m., no other crowds of protesters had gathered outside the courthouse. However, the sidewalks were crowded with members of the media and a substantial law enforcement presence.
Trump is scheduled to appear at the courthouse around 4 p.m. for his arraignment proceedings, where the former president is expected to plead not guilty. Trump was indicted by a grand jury earlier this week related to his efforts to overturn the 2020 election and the subsequent Jan. 6 riot.
Trump faces four separate federal charges: one count of conspiracy to defraud the United States, one count of conspiracy to obstruct an official proceeding, one count of obstruction of and attempt to obstruct an official proceeding, and one count of conspiracy against rights.
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Trump has long maintained innocence in all investigations related to the Jan. 6 riot, accusing the Biden administration of unfairly targeting him because of his front-runner status in the GOP presidential primary. The former president released a statement shortly before his indictment was unsealed, denouncing the charges as "prosecutorial misconduct."
"Why didn't they do this 2.5 years ago? Why did they wait so long?" he wrote on Truth Social. "Because they wanted to put it right in the middle of my campaign."