Lead insurrectionist finally arrested

The MoJo Daily newsletter, Monday through Friday. [View in browser]( [Mother Jones Daily Newsletter](     August 3, 2023 More than 1,000 people have been [arrested]( in connection with the January 6, 2021, attack on the United States Capitol. Now, the man who allegedly fueled the attack is one of them. Former President Donald Trump was arraigned in a DC courthouse Thursday afternoon and charged with four felonies related to his actions in the lead-up to January 6. Trump's third arrest in four months involves the most serious case against him, with prosecutors accusing him of three conspiracy counts, including defrauding the United States. Trump pleaded not guilty to all four counts. Many have commented on the collective fatigue that news consumers might feel about the constant drumbeat of accusations against the former president. Even CNN, the poster child of the 24-hour news cycle, referred to Trump's arrests as "routine" in a broadcast this afternoon. But it's important to remember that the federal government has not gone easy on the hundreds of people charged in relation to January 6. Anti-vax doctor turned insurrectionist Simone Gold faced [60 days]( in prison for her conduct on January 6, though she was [released early](. In June, an international underwear model who stormed the Capitol was sentenced to [32 months]( in prison. And in May, Oath Keepers founder Stewart Rhodes was sentenced to [18 years]( for seditious conspiracy. Now, the ringleader of the entire operation—the man whom each of the convicted insurrectionists worshipped—is having his day in court. Trump's [favorability ratings]( remain impressively high for someone with so many pending criminal cases, and Trump opponents fear that the latest charges could ironically bolster his popularity by creating the illusion that Trump is the victim of politically motivated prosecutions. The consensus seems to be that the case will go one of two ways: It will either tank Trump's 2024 presidential campaign or it will secure him four more years in office. We'll have to wait to see how it shakes out. But for now, Trump's most serious indictment, even against the backdrop of fatigue, deserves our attention. —Abigail Weinberg Advertisement [House Subscriptions Ad]( [Top Story] [Top Story]( [Trump Pleads Not Guilty to Jan. 6 Conspiracy Charges]( I never thought this day would come. BY ABIGAIL WEINBERG FROM THE MOTHER JONES STORE   Mother Jones Store Are you a Mother Funder? If you are, buy the shirt as well! Go to the official Mother Jones Store and show your support beyond the pages. [Check us out!]( [Trending] [Trump says the DOJ is politicized. If he wins, it will be.]( BY DAN FRIEDMAN   [Ron DeSantis wants to "start slitting throats on day one"]( BY ARIANNA COGHILL   [Mike Huckabee is now peddling climate misinformation to children]( BY KEERTI GOPAL   [The Lizzo lawsuit shows you can't have representation without labor rights]( BY SOPHIE HAYSSEN Advertisement [House Bookshop Ad]( [Special Feature] [Special Feature]( [Authors Like Me Are Fighting the Book-Ban Zealots. We Need Help.]( If supporters won't show up to that Tuesday night meeting, the censors win. BY DASHKA SLATER [Fiercely Independent] Support from readers allows Mother Jones to do journalism that doesn't just follow the pack. [Donate]( Did you enjoy this newsletter? Help us out by [forwarding]( it to a friend or sharing it on [Facebook]( and [Twitter](. [Mother Jones]( [Donate]( [Donate Monthly]( [Subscribe]( This message was sent to {EMAIL}. To change the messages you receive from us, you can [edit your email preferences]( or [unsubscribe from all mailings.]( For advertising opportunities see our online [media kit.]( Were you forwarded this email? [Sign up for Mother Jones' newsletters today.]( [www.MotherJones.com]( PO Box 8539, Big Sandy, TX 75755