An Indian American judge, Moxila A. Upadhyaya, presided over the appearance of former US President Donald Trump in a federal courthouse in downtown Washington DC. Upadhyaya, who was appointed as a United States Magistrate Judge on September 7, 2022, comes from a diverse background. Born in Gujarat, India, she was raised near Kansas City, Missouri.

She earned her Bachelor of Journalism, magna cum laude, from the Missouri School of Journalism and her Bachelor of Arts, with honors in Latin, from the University of Missouri. Upadhyaya later received her JD, cum laude, from the American University, Washington College of Law, where she excelled in trial work and was a member of the Administrative Law Review.

During the arraignment, Trump pleaded not guilty to the criminal charges brought against him, which include conspiracy to defraud the United States, attempt to obstruct an official proceeding, and conspiracy against rights. The arraignment took place in a federal court, where Upadhyaya read from the 45-page indictment presented by special counsel Jack Smith.

The judge also announced that the next hearing would be held on August 28, to be presided over by District Court Judge Tanya Chutkan. Upadhyaya's appointment as a US Magistrate Judge last year highlights her impressive legal career. After graduating from law school, she served as a law clerk to Eric T. Washington, former Chief Judge of the DC Court of Appeals.

She then joined Venable LLP's Washington, DC office, where she specialized in complex commercial and administrative litigation. In 2011-12, she served as the first law clerk to Robert L. Wilkins, currently the US Circuit Judge for the DC Circuit. Upadhyaya's dedication to pro bono work is also notable.

Throughout her career, she has represented indigent clients in post-conviction proceedings, particularly focusing on challenges under the DC Innocence Protection Act and the DC Incarceration Reduction Amendment Act. Her commitment to justice earned her awards such as the Defender of Innocence Award from the Mid-Atlantic Innocence Project in 2009 and the Pro Bono Lawyer of the Year from Venable in 2006. Furthermore, Upadhyaya has actively contributed to the legal community.

She has served on various committees and boards, including the DC Bar Litigation Section Steering Committee, the DC Access to Justice Foundation, and the Council for Court Excellence. She is also a Fellow of the American Bar Foundation.

In summary, Judge Moxila A. Upadhyaya, an Indian American, played a crucial role in presiding over Donald Trump's appearance in a federal courthouse. Her impressive legal background, commitment to justice, and contributions to the legal community make her a respected and accomplished jurist.