Trump pleads not guilty on Jan. 6 charges, calls it 'sad day for America’
Trump is accused of attempting to overturn the results of the 2020 election.
Former President Donald Trump pleaded not guilty to all counts after being charged in connection with his alleged attempts to overturn the result of the 2020 presidential election.
The new 45-page federal indictment, unsealed Tuesday, accuses Trump of four felony counts: 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.
It's the third time that Trump has been indicted on criminal charges. He has pleaded not guilty to all charges in the two other cases, decrying the investigations as political witch hunts. He continues to insist that the 2020 vote was rigged and, speaking to ABC News on Tuesday, described the latest charges as a "pile-on" and "election interference."
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Trump describes latest indictment as 'pile-on,' 'election interference'
Former President Donald Trump described the latest charges against him as a "pile-on."
"It's election interference," Trump told ABC News in a brief telephone interview on Tuesday, after the sweeping federal indictment was unsealed.
Trump, who is currently the Republican front-runner in the 2024 presidential race, said he is "doing very well in the polls" and that he believes he will "defeat" President Joe Biden in the upcoming election.
Trump also called the recent indictments against him "ridiculous," telling ABC News he will "fight and we will win."
-ABC News' John Santucci
Security preparations underway at DC courthouse
Security preparations are underway at Washington, D.C., District Court ahead of former President Donald Trump's Thursday afternoon appearance.
Secret Service and other law enforcement agencies on Wednesday conducted a walkthrough of the courthouse, including the courtroom where Trump will be appearing.
Trump is expected to appear in person before Magistrate Judge Moxila Upadhyaya.
Secret Service spokesperson Anthony Guglielmi said in a statement, "While the Secret Service does not comment on specific protective means or methods, we have the utmost confidence in the dedication and commitment to security shared by all of our law enforcement and government partners."
"We are working closely with the Metropolitan Police Department, U.S. Marshals Service, U.S. Park Police, U.S. Capitol Police and the Federal Protective Service to ensure the highest levels of safety and security for the former president, while minimizing disruptions to the normal court process," Guglielmi said.