Updated Aug 31, 2023 - Politics & Policy

Trump will skip arraignment in Georgia and pleads not guilty to charges

Erin Doherty

ATLANTA, GEORGIA - AUGUST 24: Former U.S. President Donald Trump arrives at Atlanta Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport on August 24, 2023 in Atlanta, Georgia. — Former President Trump arrives at Atlanta Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport on Aug. 24 in Atlanta, Ga. Photo: Joe Raedle/Getty Images

Former President Trump will not attend his arraignment next week in Fulton County, Georgia, and pleaded not guilty to all charges in the state's election subversion case against him, according to a court filing on Thursday.

Why it matters: It's a change for the former president, who has strategically seized on his court appearances to fundraise and galvanize his base.

Trump, who has made his legal peril a centerpiece of his campaign, saw a fundraising boon after the release of his mug shot in Fulton County.

Driving the news: The former president waived his arraignment appearance, which was scheduled for Sept. 6, related to charges on his alleged efforts to subvert 2020 election results in Georgia.

"Understanding my rights, I do hereby freely and voluntarily waive my right to be present at my arraignment on the indictment and my right to have it read to me in open court," per the court document.
CBS News first reported on the former president's plans.

The big picture: Some of the 18 co-defendants named in the case have also already waived their formal arraignments and pleaded not guilty to charges, including former Trump campaign lawyer Sidney Powell.

Trump faces 91 counts across four different cases — and his legal calendar is expected to bump up against his 2024 presidential campaign schedule.

Go deeper: Court dates disrupt Trump's campaign calendar

Editor's note: This story has been updated with additional reporting.

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Trump will skip arraignment in Georgia and pleads not guilty to charges

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