Former President Trump Pleads Not Guilty in Election Conspiracy Case, Vows to Fight Charges - New Jersey, August 3, 2023 — Former President Donald Trump returned to New Jersey after his third court appearance in four months, facing four criminal counts related to allegations of conspiring to alter the outcome of the 2020 presidential election. Trump, flanked by US Marshals, maintained his innocence and entered a plea of not guilty during a brief arraignment, which took place in front of Special Counsel Jack Smith, who had brought forth the charges.