Trump Arraigned in DC

Former President Donald Trump appeared in a Washington, DC, court yesterday, pleading not guilty to charges that he knowingly attempted to alter the outcome of the 2020 presidential election.

The Tuesday indictment marked the third set of open charges against Trump (see previous write-up)—the other two cases relate to allegations of mishandling of classified documents after leaving office and supposed hush money payments during the 2016 campaign. The primary charge in the current case alleges Trump and allies tried to overturn results from seven states: Arizona, Georgia, Nevada, New Mexico, Michigan, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin. Legal experts have noted the case will require proving Trump was aware the claims being made were false (as opposed to acting on earnest beliefs).

Separately, GOP lawmakers released the transcript of a closed-door hearing with Devon Archer, a former business associate of Hunter Biden. Republicans and Democrats have alternately claimed his testimony showed President Joe Biden's involvement in his son's foreign business dealings or that Hunter Biden was selling an "illusion" of access.