Former President Donald Trump pleaded not guilty in a federal courthouse in Washington, DC, on Thursday to criminal charges related to special counsel Jack Smith's investigation into attempts to overturn the 2020 presidential election.

"This is a very sad day for America," Trump said while giving brief remarks before boarding his plane to return to New Jersey, calling the recent indictment "a persecution of a political opponent."

The four counts against Trump are 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.

This is the third time Trump has been criminally indicted. Smith charged Trump in a classified documents probe in June, and a Manhattan grand jury charged the former president for business fraud in March. Trump pleaded not guilty in both of those cases.

Trump, who is running for president in 2024, has repeatedly denied wrongdoing and accused Democrats of targeting him politically.

Here are some of the stories that made headlines over the past week, as well as some photos that caught our eye.

A medic speaks with an injured Ukrainian serviceman inside a frontline medical stabilization point in Ukraine on Thursday, July 27.
A medic speaks with an injured Ukrainian serviceman inside a frontline medical stabilization point in Ukraine on Thursday, July 27.
Stringer/Reuters
US swimmer Katie Ledecky celebrates after <a href="index.php?page=&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.cnn.com%2F2023%2F07%2F29%2Fsport%2Fkatie-ledecky-michael-phelps-record-spt-intl%2Findex.html" target="_blank">winning the women's 800-meter freestyle final</a> at the Fukuoka World Aquatics Championships in Fukuoka, Japan, on Saturday, July 29. Ledecky earned her 16th gold medal and surpassed Michael Phelps for most career individual world swimming titles.
US swimmer Katie Ledecky celebrates after winning the women's 800-meter freestyle final at the Fukuoka World Aquatics Championships in Fukuoka, Japan, on Saturday, July 29. Ledecky earned her 16th gold medal and surpassed Michael Phelps for most career individual world swimming titles.
Marko Djurica/Reuters
Mourners carry the casket of a victim who was killed in <a href="index.php?page=&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.cnn.com%2F2023%2F07%2F30%2Fasia%2Fpakistan-blast-bajaur-intl%2Findex.html" target="_blank">a suicide bomber attack</a> in the Bajur district of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan, on Monday, July 31. At least 54 people were killed in the bombing, which targeted a political convention organized by an Islamist party the previous day.
Mourners carry the casket of a victim who was killed in a suicide bomber attack in the Bajur district of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan, on Monday, July 31. At least 54 people were killed in the bombing, which targeted a political convention organized by an Islamist party the previous day.
Mohammad Sajjad/AP
This long-exposure photo shows a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket lifting off from Cape Canaveral, Florida, on Thursday, August 3.
This long-exposure photo shows a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket lifting off from Cape Canaveral, Florida, on Thursday, August 3.
Maclolm Denemark/Florida Today/AP
Turkish soldiers use pepper spray against demonstrators in Ikizkoy, Turkey, on Friday, July 28. This was the fifth day of protests against the deforestation of a century-old pine forest.
Turkish soldiers use pepper spray against demonstrators in Ikizkoy, Turkey, on Friday, July 28. This was the fifth day of protests against the deforestation of a century-old pine forest.
Bulent Kilic/AFP/Getty Images
US forward Alex Morgan collides with Portugal's Inês Pereira as they go for the ball at the <a href="index.php?page=&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.cnn.com%2F2023%2F07%2F20%2Ffootball%2Fgallery%2Fwomens-world-cup-2023%2Findex.html" target="_blank">Women's World Cup</a> in Auckland, New Zealand, on Tuesday, August 1. The game ended in a <a href="index.php?page=&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.cnn.com%2F2023%2F08%2F01%2Ffootball%2Fuswnt-portugal-womens-world-cup-spt-intl%2Findex.html" target="_blank">goalless draw</a> and the United States advanced to the round of 16.
US forward Alex Morgan collides with Portugal's Inês Pereira as they go for the ball at the Women's World Cup in Auckland, New Zealand, on Tuesday, August 1. The game ended in a goalless draw and the United States advanced to the round of 16.
Carmen Mandato/USSF/Getty Images
A Sudanese woman who fled conflict in Murnei, in Sudan's Darfur region, walks beside carts carrying her family belongings while crossing the border between Sudan and Chad on Wednesday, August 2.
A Sudanese woman who fled conflict in Murnei, in Sudan's Darfur region, walks beside carts carrying her family belongings while crossing the border between Sudan and Chad on Wednesday, August 2.
Zohra Bensemra/Reuters
Firefighters battle flames from the York Fire in the Mojave National Preserve on Sunday, July 30. The fire has <a href="index.php?page=&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.cnn.com%2F2023%2F08%2F02%2Fus%2Fyork-fire-california-nevada-wednesday%2Findex.html" target="_blank">scorched tens of thousands of acres</a> in the preserve and torched its iconic Joshua Trees.
Firefighters battle flames from the York Fire in the Mojave National Preserve on Sunday, July 30. The fire has scorched tens of thousands of acres in the preserve and torched its iconic Joshua Trees.
David Swanson/AFP/Getty Images
Houston Astros starting pitcher Framber Valdez celebrates after pitching a no-hitter against the Cleveland Guardians in Houston on Tuesday, August 1. The Astros won 2-0.
Houston Astros starting pitcher Framber Valdez celebrates after pitching a no-hitter against the Cleveland Guardians in Houston on Tuesday, August 1. The Astros won 2-0.
Brett Coomer/Houston Chronicle/AP
New York City Mayor Eric Adams announces a new $485 million NYC Gun Violence Prevention Task Force blueprint at a news conference in New York on Monday, July 31.
New York City Mayor Eric Adams announces a new $485 million NYC Gun Violence Prevention Task Force blueprint at a news conference in New York on Monday, July 31.
John Lamparski/NurPhoto/AP
A rainbow colors the sky beyond the Rockland Harbor Breakwater Lighthouse following a brief rainstorm in Rockland, Maine, on Tuesday, August 1.
A rainbow colors the sky beyond the Rockland Harbor Breakwater Lighthouse following a brief rainstorm in Rockland, Maine, on Tuesday, August 1.
Robert F. Bukaty/AP
People stand on a front loader while evacuating a flooded residential compound hit by remnants of <a href="index.php?page=&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.cnn.com%2F2023%2F07%2F31%2Fasia%2Fchina-beijing-typhoon-doksuri-khanun-damage-intl-hnk%2Findex.html" target="_blank">Typhoon Doksuri</a> in Zhuozhou, Hebei province, China, on Thursday, August 3.
People stand on a front loader while evacuating a flooded residential compound hit by remnants of Typhoon Doksuri in Zhuozhou, Hebei province, China, on Thursday, August 3.
Tingshu Wang/Reuters
Voodoo wrestlers fight in a schoolyard in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo, on Saturday, July 29.
Voodoo wrestlers fight in a schoolyard in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo, on Saturday, July 29.
Alexis Huguet/AFP/Getty Images
Sunflowers are seen through raindrops on a car window on the outskirts of Frankfurt, Germany, on Wednesday, August 2.
Sunflowers are seen through raindrops on a car window on the outskirts of Frankfurt, Germany, on Wednesday, August 2.
Michael Probst/AP
Emergency personnel work near an office building damaged by a Ukrainian drone attack in Moscow on Tuesday, August 1. Russia says Ukraine <a href="index.php?page=&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.cnn.com%2Feurope%2Flive-news%2Frussia-ukraine-war-news-08-01-23%2Fh_e9a4cbc0b0c7b46f8987b771890bdb2a" target="_blank">launched three drones</a> toward its capital city on Tuesday.
Emergency personnel work near an office building damaged by a Ukrainian drone attack in Moscow on Tuesday, August 1. Russia says Ukraine launched three drones toward its capital city on Tuesday.
Evgenia Novozhenina/Reuters
The Euclid space observatory's Near-Infrared Spectrometer and Photometer instrument <a href="index.php?page=&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.cnn.com%2F2023%2F08%2F01%2Fworld%2Feuclid-telescope-first-test-images-scn%2Findex.html" target="_blank">captured a test image</a> of stars and galaxies in infrared light. The image was released on Tuesday, August 1.
The Euclid space observatory's Near-Infrared Spectrometer and Photometer instrument captured a test image of stars and galaxies in infrared light. The image was released on Tuesday, August 1.
ESA/Euclid Consortium/NASA
The Netherlands' <a href="index.php?page=&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.cnn.com%2F2023%2F07%2F30%2Fsport%2Fdemi-vollering-tour-de-france-femmes-spt-intl%2Findex.html" target="_blank">Demi Vollering</a> celebrates after winning the Tour de France Femmes on Sunday, July 30. It is her first Tour de France Femmes title.
The Netherlands' Demi Vollering celebrates after winning the Tour de France Femmes on Sunday, July 30. It is her first Tour de France Femmes title.
Jeff Pachoud/AFP/Getty Images
South Africa's Thembi Kgatlana celebrates after Italy's Benedetta Orsi, right, scored an own goal during a <a href="index.php?page=&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.cnn.com%2F2023%2F07%2F20%2Ffootball%2Fgallery%2Fwomens-world-cup-2023%2Findex.html" target="_blank">Women's World Cup</a> group stage match in Wellington, New Zealand, on Wednesday, August 2. <a href="index.php?page=&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.cnn.com%2F2023%2F08%2F02%2Ffootball%2Fsweden-south-africa-italy-womens-world-cup-2023-spt-intl%2Findex.html" target="_blank">South Africa beat Italy 3-2</a>.
South Africa's Thembi Kgatlana celebrates after Italy's Benedetta Orsi, right, scored an own goal during a Women's World Cup group stage match in Wellington, New Zealand, on Wednesday, August 2. South Africa beat Italy 3-2.
Alessandra Tarantino/AP
Locals watch firefighting efforts amid heavy smoke from the Eagle Bluff Fire after it <a href="index.php?page=&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.cnn.com%2F2023%2F07%2F31%2Fweather%2Fbc-wildfires-canada-washington-climate%2Findex.html" target="_blank">crossed the US-Canada border</a> from Washington state into Osoyoos, British Columbia, Canada, on Sunday July 30.
Locals watch firefighting efforts amid heavy smoke from the Eagle Bluff Fire after it crossed the US-Canada border from Washington state into Osoyoos, British Columbia, Canada, on Sunday July 30.
Jesse Winter/Reuters
Special counsel <a href="index.php?page=&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.cnn.com%2F2023%2F06%2F08%2Fpolitics%2Fjack-smith-classified-documents-special-counsel%2Findex.html" target="_blank">Jack Smith</a> makes a statement to reporters after a grand jury returned an indictment of former President Donald Trump in the special counsel's investigation of <a href="index.php?page=&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.cnn.com%2F2021%2F11%2F05%2Fpolitics%2Fjanuary-6-timeline-trump-coup%2Findex.html" target="_blank">attempts to overturn the 2020 election</a> in Washington, DC, on Tuesday, August 1.
Special counsel Jack Smith makes a statement to reporters after a grand jury returned an indictment of former President Donald Trump in the special counsel's investigation of attempts to overturn the 2020 election in Washington, DC, on Tuesday, August 1.
Kevin Wurm/Reuters
US water polo player Ben Hallock competes for the ball in a match against Montenegro at the Fukuoka World Aquatics Championships in Fukuoka, Japan, on Saturday, July 29.
US water polo player Ben Hallock competes for the ball in a match against Montenegro at the Fukuoka World Aquatics Championships in Fukuoka, Japan, on Saturday, July 29.
Adam Pretty/Getty Images
A pregnant sow licks a fellow sow as she naps in the heat at an independent farm in Chestertown, Maryland, on Thursday, July 27.
A pregnant sow licks a fellow sow as she naps in the heat at an independent farm in Chestertown, Maryland, on Thursday, July 27.
Leah Millis/Reuters
Part of the collection of cat memorabilia owned by Freddie Mercury is on display at Sotheby's in London on Thursday, August 3. The private collection of over 1,400 items will be sold at a series of six auctions in September.
Part of the collection of cat memorabilia owned by Freddie Mercury is on display at Sotheby's in London on Thursday, August 3. The private collection of over 1,400 items will be sold at a series of six auctions in September.
Tim P. Whitby/Getty Images for Sotheby's
Brazilian forward <a href="index.php?page=&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.cnn.com%2F2023%2F08%2F01%2Fsport%2Fmarta-brazil-womens-world-cup-spt-intl%2Findex.html" target="_blank">Marta</a> waves to the crowd after <a href="index.php?page=&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.cnn.com%2F2023%2F08%2F01%2Ffootball%2Fbrazil-jamaica-france-panama-womens-world-cup-spt-intl%2Findex.html" target="_blank">Brazil's draw with Jamaica</a> in the Women's World Cup in Melbourne on Wednesday, August 2. This was the last World Cup for Marta, the tournament's record scorer and veteran of six tournaments.
Brazilian forward Marta waves to the crowd after Brazil's draw with Jamaica in the Women's World Cup in Melbourne on Wednesday, August 2. This was the last World Cup for Marta, the tournament's record scorer and veteran of six tournaments.
William West/AFP/Getty Images
People perform during the Archstoyanie festival in Nikola-Lenivets, Russia, on Saturday July 29.
People perform during the Archstoyanie festival in Nikola-Lenivets, Russia, on Saturday July 29.
Maxim Shemetov/Reuters
Pope Francis greets people as he leaves the Mosteiro dos Jeronimos after leading the Vespers with members of the clergy in Lisbon, Portugal, on Wednesday, August 2. Pope Francis made an apostolic journey to Portugal to mark World Youth Day.
Pope Francis greets people as he leaves the Mosteiro dos Jeronimos after leading the Vespers with members of the clergy in Lisbon, Portugal, on Wednesday, August 2. Pope Francis made an apostolic journey to Portugal to mark World Youth Day.
Guglielmo Mangiapane/Reuters
Workers install lighting on an "X" sign atop the San Francisco headquarters of the company formerly known as Twitter on Friday, July 28. The "X" was <a href="index.php?page=&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.cnn.com%2F2023%2F07%2F31%2Ftech%2Fx-sign-twitter-elon-musk%2Findex.html" target="_blank">dismantled days later</a>.
Workers install lighting on an "X" sign atop the San Francisco headquarters of the company formerly known as Twitter on Friday, July 28. The "X" was dismantled days later.
Noah Berger/AP
Children play in the water at the beach in Gaza City on Thursday, July 27.
Children play in the water at the beach in Gaza City on Thursday, July 27.
Mohammed Abed/AFP/Getty Images
People with the progressive organization Herndon Reston Indivisible demonstrate outside the federal courthouse in Washington, DC, before <a href="index.php?page=&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.cnn.com%2F2023%2F08%2F03%2Fpolitics%2Fgallery%2Ftrump-indictment-election-probe%2Findex.html" target="_blank">Trump's arraignment</a> on Thursday, August 3.
People with the progressive organization Herndon Reston Indivisible demonstrate outside the federal courthouse in Washington, DC, before Trump's arraignment on Thursday, August 3.
Rebecca Wright/CNN
A humpback whale swims near Ipanema Beach in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, on Saturday, July 29.
A humpback whale swims near Ipanema Beach in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, on Saturday, July 29.
Florian Plaucheur/AFP/Getty Images
Australian defender Stephanie Catley celebrates with teammates after scoring a goal during her team's <a href="index.php?page=&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.cnn.com%2F2023%2F07%2F31%2Ffootball%2Faustralia-canada-womens-world-cup-spt-intl%2Findex.html" target="_blank">4-0 victory over Canada</a> at the Women's World Cup in Melbourne on Monday, July 31.
Australian defender Stephanie Catley celebrates with teammates after scoring a goal during her team's 4-0 victory over Canada at the Women's World Cup in Melbourne on Monday, July 31.
William West/AFP/Getty Images
Indigenous leaders from the Argentina's Jujuy province burn incense during the celebrations of La Pachamama, or Mother Earth Day, in Buenos Aires on Tuesday, August 1. <a href="index.php?page=&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.cnn.com%2F2023%2F07%2F27%2Fworld%2Fgallery%2Fphotos-this-week-july-20-july-27-ctrp%2Findex.html" target="_blank">See last week in 30 photos</a>.
Indigenous leaders from the Argentina's Jujuy province burn incense during the celebrations of La Pachamama, or Mother Earth Day, in Buenos Aires on Tuesday, August 1. See last week in 30 photos.
Rodrigo Abd/AP