More Legal Trouble
Former President Donald Trump was dealt another blow on Thursday as he faced new legal charges. The charges include conspiracy to defraud the United States, conspiracy to obstruct an official proceeding, obstruction of an official proceeding, and conspiracy to violate constitutional rights.
These charges stem from his alleged involvement in the riot at the U.S. Capitol on January 6, 2021. This latest development adds to the mounting legal challenges for Trump. Trump appeared at the Elijah Barrett Prettyman Federal Courthouse in Washington, D.C., pleading not guilty to the charges. However, before the hearing, Manhattan federal prosecutors gained access to video testimony that Trump had given during a defamation case brought by E. Jean Carroll in May.
In that case, Trump was found liable for sexual abuse and defamation and was ordered to pay $5 million to Carroll. The prosecutors have been seeking access to this video testimony for the upcoming criminal trial in March 2024. This trial accuses Trump of orchestrating hush-money payments to adult film star Stormy Daniels in an attempt to silence their alleged affair during the 2016 presidential campaign.