Donald Trump has pleaded not guilty in court to four criminal charges related to the 2020 election.

Donald Trump pleaded not guilty Thursday in federal court to four criminal charges related to "conspiracy to overturn his defeat in the 2020 presidential election."

The former American president has been accused of trying to undermine the pillars of American democracy.

He has also been accused of unsuccessfully trying to stay in power and pressuring election officials to change the results.

This is the third time this year that a former US president has been forced to answer a criminal indictment.

The trial took place two days after the indictment of Donald Trump. The indictment accuses Trump of continuing a "criminal scheme" to stay in office even after it became clear he had lost the 2020 presidential election to Joe Biden.

Trump traveled to Washington on Thursday with his lawyers and several top aides to appear in court.

Donald Trump's trial was held when his supporters and opponents gathered outside the venue with banners supporting or against him.

After the court hearing at the airport, Trump said the case was "harassment of a political opponent" to hurt his chances for re-election in 2024.