Authorities kept an eye on demonstrators outside the courthouse but did not report any security issues
From CNN's Holmes Lybrand
Following the arraignment of former President Donald Trump, law enforcement officials continue to monitor protests in Washington, DC, but have seen no major issues.
Federal and local law enforcement — which are coordinating closely on security efforts — are keeping an eye on the situation around DC, but have not had to address any major threats or disturbances, sources familiar with the situation tell CNN.
Protesters have largely left the courthouse as rain began to pour down. Some protesters let off small firecrackers before leaving.
Many in the crowds gathered around the building were simply observing the small groups of protesters and the large media presence.
6:39 p.m. ET, August 3, 2023
7 judges and 2 Capitol Police officers among hearing watchers
From CNN's Kaanita Iyer
Seven judges of the DC federal court observed former President Donald Trump's proceeding from the back row.
CNN’s Katelyn Polantz, who was in the courtroom, reports their appearance underlines the importance of the proceeding and how January 6, 2021, riot cases and special counsel investigations have become so core to the Washington courthouse.
Among the judges who attended: Chief Judge James Boasberg, who had weighed and rejected Trump's efforts to block former Vice President Mike Pence's grand jury testimony in the special counsel’s 2020 election interference probe, and Judges Amy Berman Jackson and Randolph Moss, who memorably sentenced criminal defendants in the Mueller investigation who had worked for Trump's campaign.
Also in attendance at the courthouse Thursday were Harry Dunn, the US Capitol Police officer who was the target of racist slurs during the January 6 attack on the US Capitol, and former Capitol Police Sgt. Aquilino Gonell, who was injured that day. They watched the hearing from a room with live video of the proceedings.
Nicole Reffitt -- the wife of the first January 6 defendant to go to trial and be convicted -- was spotted in the courthouse earlier in the day. Reffitt is often seen at the sentencing hearings and trials.
Trump’s arraignment drew several other members of the public, more than 50 journalists and court staff.
6:39 p.m. ET, August 3, 2023
Trump rails against indictment, describing it as "persecution of a political opponent"
From CNN's Alayna Treene
Valet Walt Nauta hands former President Donald Trump an umbrella at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport, on Thursday, August 3. Alex Brandon/AP
Former President Donald Trump on Thursday criticized the latest charges he is facing as part of a broader attempt to interfere in the 2024 presidential election and said the recent indictment is “a persecution of a political opponent."
"This is a very sad day for America," Trump told reporters shortly after pleading not guilty in special counsel Jack Smith’s election subversion case.
"This is the persecution of the person that's leading by very, very substantial numbers in the Republican primary and leading Biden by a lot. So if you can't beat him you persecute him or you prosecute him," Trump said while giving brief remarks on the tarmac at Washington Reagan National Airport before boarding his plane to return to New Jersey.
The former president did not take questions before boarding.These were his first public remarks since learning of his indictment Tuesday night.
6:25 p.m. ET, August 3, 2023
Federal judge intends to set trial date in case against Trump at next hearing
From CNN's Tierney Sneed, Holmes Lybrand and Hannah Rabinowitz
Federal Judge Tanya Chutkan, who will preside over the case against former President Donald Trump, intends to set a trial date at the next hearing on August 28, according to Magistrate Judge Moxila Upadhyaya.
Prosecutors pushed for a speedy trial at the hearing on Thursday, and for the case to proceed just as others do.
“This case will benefit from normal order, including speedy trial," prosecutor Tom Windom said.
John Lauro, an attorney for the former president, highlighted the “massive amount” of discovery they would need to look through before suggesting a trial date.
Upadhyaya said prosecutors are required to file a recommendation within seven days of when the trial should be held. After their recommendation is filed, Trump’s attorneys will have another seven days before filing their own recommendations.
“We don’t know the scope of it,” Lauro said of the massive amount of discovery in the case. “We are going to have to go through information … in order for us to properly address” when a trial date should be set, Lauro said. “These are weighty issues,” Lauro continued. “Obviously the United States has had three and a half years to investigate this matter. And also, there are a number of agents and lawyers assisting the government in this proceeding, and all that we would ask your honor is the time to fairly defend our client.”
Lauro added: “And to do that we need a little time.”
Watch CNN's Jamie Gangel discuss the next steps in the case:
6:52 p.m. ET, August 3, 2023
Trump being held accountable under the law is a good start, officers who defended US Capitol on January 6 say
Former US Capitol Police Sgt. Aquilino Gonell, left, and Capitol Police officer Harry Dunn appear on CNN following Donald Trump's arraignment on Thursday, August 3. CNN
Two officers who defended the US Capitol on January 6, 2021, and were in the courtroom during Donald Trump's arraignment Thursday said it was good seeing the former president being held accountable for his actions.
US Capitol Police Officer Harry Dunn said while he went in with low expectations, he appreciated that Trump went through the same process as any other indicted American.
"Those are the steps that are required, whether it's the president, whether it's a guy who works at Walmart. It doesn't matter. Anybody commits any crime, they need to be treated fairly. And it was great to see that the former president is being treated like any other American," he said.
Aquilino Gonell, former US Capitol Police sergeant, shared similar sentiments.
"Seeing the former president being arraigned today is a good start. It's the beginning of a long process where everyone should be aware that the law of the land applies to everybody, the rule of law is applied to everyone," he said.
Gonell also said that he hopes Trump being held accountable will prevent anybody else from taking the same action and that more people, especially Republicans, take the allegations seriously.
He added, "I hope that Mr. Trump gets a fair trial. However, it's good to see him being held accountable for it."
6:39 p.m. ET, August 3, 2023
Here's what GOP lawmakers have said about Trump's historic court appearance — and who hasn't spoken up yet
From CNN staff
Some Republican lawmakers condemned former President Donald Trump's historic third indictment in the hours before and during his court appearance Thursday in Washington, DC. Other influential GOP figures have not yet weighed in.
Here's some of what we've heard so far:
Rep. Elise Stefanik, a Republican from New York and one of Trump's staunchest defenders on Capitol Hill, released a statement criticizing the indictment while Trump was in the courtroom. "The American people are smart, and they know this is a politically charged witch hunt orchestrated by Joe Biden’s corrupt DOJ," she said.
Sen. Rick Scott, a Republican from Florida, tweeted a graphic from Fox News on Thursday that compares dates in the Hunter Biden investigation with the dates that Trump has been indicted in multiple cases, and captioned it, “Every time we learn more about potential Biden family corruption, @JoeBiden’s DOJ indicts his top political opponent.”
Sen. Ted Cruz, the Texas Republican, wrote earlier Thursday on Twitter, “The DOJ: the DNC's legal arm? Indictments as political tools? This isn't impartiality; it's partisanship.”
Sen. Marsha Blackburn, a Republican from Tennessee, alleged the judge assigned to the case won’t be impartial. “The judge presiding over Trump’s newest case — an Obama-appointed jurist — has previously ruled against the former president. Do you think she’ll judge in a fair and impartial manner?” she said in a tweet shortly before Trump's appearance.
Still not heard from: Notably, Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell and Senate Minority Whip John Thune have not weighed in on the indictment or the arraignment.
CNN's Morgan Rimmer and Lauren Fox contributed reporting to this post.
4:56 p.m. ET, August 3, 2023
Trump's arraignment hearing has concluded
From CNN's Tierney Sneed, Hannah Rabinowitz and Holmes Lybrand
Trump's motorcade leaves the U.S. District Court in Washington, DC, on Thursday, August 3. Joshua Roberts/Reuters
The first appearance and arraignment for former president Donald Trump in the 2020 election interference case has officially ended.
The proceeding lasted 27 minutes.
Trump has departed the courtroom.
4:45 p.m. ET, August 3, 2023
Next hearing in Trump election interference case set for August 28
From CNN's Tierney Sneed, Hannah Rabinowitz and Holmes Lybrand
Magistrate Judge Moxila Upadhyaya scheduled the next hearing in the election subversion case for August 28 at 10 a.m. ET.
Prosecutor Thomas Windom said the government was available on all of the days that the magistrate judge offered as potential hearing days, but would prefer the earliest one.
The Trump team requested August 28, the latest of the three options.
“I will also note, Mr. Trump, that to the extent you are not able to attend as a result of your schedule, I have consulted with Judge Chutkan and she is willing to waive your appearance,” Upadhyaya said.
Instead, the former president will be released on very minimal conditions of release, which include not being allowed to communicate with anyone known to be a witness in the case unless through an attorney.
Trump stood and raised his right hand, swearing to abide by the conditions of release.
