Former president Donald Trump pleaded not guilty on Thursday to historic charges of leading a criminal conspiracy that sought to defraud the American people by overturning the 2020 election.

Trump, the frontrunner for the 2024 Republican presidential nomination, entered his plea during a brief hearing at the same Washington courthouse where hundreds of his supporters have been convicted and sentenced for their roles in January 6, 2021 attack on the US Capitol.

“Not guilty,” Trump said after magistrate judge Moxila Upadhyaya read the charges — and potential maximum prison sentences — in the 45-page indictment brought by special counsel Jack Smith.

Shortly before leaving his Bedminster, New Jersey, golf club for the flight to Washington, Trump defiantly doubled down on his baseless claim that the election was “stolen.”

Trump is expected to enter a plea of not guilty at a hearing before magistrate judge Moxila Upadhyaya. He is likely to be fingerprinted but not have a mugshot taken.

The 77-year-old billionaire has already been charged in two other criminal cases, and the new conspiracy charges raise the prospect of his being further embroiled in legal proceedings at the height of next year’s election campaign.

Metal barricades formed a security ring around the E. Barrett Prettyman courthouse where Trump’s arraignment is taking place within sight of the Capitol that was stormed by his supporters on January 6.

Police and sniffer dogs gathered outside the court, where small groups of demonstrators holding placards milled about along with some curious tourists.

“Jail Trump Forever,” read one sign held by a protestor. “Trump 24,” read another held by a supporter.

“We wanted to see it,” said Dave Werner, 52, of Houston, Texas, who was visiting the capital with his son Liam, 12. “It’s a little bit being part of history.”

The accusations that Trump and six unnamed co-conspirators plotted to upend the 2020 election result is the most serious of the cases threatening to derail his White House comeback bid.

“I am now going to Washington, D.C. to be arrested for having challenged a corrupt, rigged and stolen election,” he posted on his Truth Social site, repeating what special counsel Jack Smith has called the “lies” about the 2020 vote that are at the heart of the indictment against him.

“It is a great honor, because I am being arrested for you,” Trump told his social media followers. (AFP)