Donald Trump pleaded not guilty Thursday to trying to overturn the results of his 2020 election loss, answering for the first time to federal charges that accuse him of orchestrating a brazen and ultimately unsuccessful attempt to block the peaceful transfer of presidential power.
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00:00 Donald Trump pleaded not guilty on Thursday to orchestrating a conspiracy against US institutions
00:07 after his defeat in the 2020 election.
00:10 He appeared at Washington DC's federal courthouse alongside his lawyer, Todd Blanche.
00:15 The charge against a former US president is unprecedented.
00:19 "This is a very sad day for America.
00:23 When you look at what's happening, this is a persecution of a political opponent.
00:28 This was never supposed to happen in America.
00:31 This is the persecution of the person that's leading by very, very substantial numbers
00:37 in the Republican primary and leading Biden by a lot."
00:42 A small crowd of Trump supporters protested in front of the court building.
00:46 His popularity among Republicans remains high, despite this being the third time since March
00:51 that he's faced criminal charges.
00:53 But many also see the former president as a criminal and a liability, and they too made
00:58 their feelings known.
01:01 Trump has made it clear that whatever happens to him, he will continue his bid for re-election
01:05 in 2024.
01:06 [MUSIC PLAYING]