Former President Donald Trump has been indicted on criminal charges by a federal grand jury. The charges strike at Trump’s efforts to remain in the White House after losing the 2020 election and undermine the long-held American tradition of a peaceful transfer of presidential power. Trump is scheduled to appear at the Washington, DC, federal courthouse on Thursday.
The indictment, part of special counsel Jack Smith’s investigation, includes charges of conspiracy to defraud the United States, conspiracy to obstruct an official proceeding, obstruction of and attempt to obstruct an official proceeding, and conspiracy against rights. The indictment alleges that Trump spread lies about outcome-determinative fraud in the election and disseminated these false claims to erode public faith in the administration of the election.
The plot to overturn the election culminated in the shocking attack on the US Capitol on January 6, 2021. Prior to that, Trump engaged in an unprecedented pressure campaign towards state election workers, lawmakers, and even his own vice president to persuade them to throw out the 2020 results. The indictment states that Trump and his co-conspirators exploited the January 6 attack by continuing efforts to convince members of Congress to delay the certification of the election.
Special counsel Jack Smith emphasized that the attack on the Capitol was fueled by lies spread by Trump, obstructing the bedrock function of the US government’s process of collecting, counting, and certifying the results of a presidential election. The indictment also mentions six unindicted co-conspirators, including four unnamed attorneys who allegedly aided Trump in his efforts to subvert the election and one unnamed Justice Department official who attempted to use false claims of Election fraud to influence state legislatures.
Trump’s co-counsel in the January 6 case, John Lauro, defended Trump’s actions and criticized the charges as a regurgitation of the allegations in the January 6th report. The White House declined to comment on the indictment, referring inquiries to the Justice Department.
The charges brought against Trump will test whether the criminal justice system can hold him accountable for his post-election conduct. This is the second time in two months that special counsel Jack Smith has brought charges against Trump, following a June indictment for retention of classified documents and conspiracy. Trump has pleaded not guilty in both cases.
The indictment raises questions about the appropriateness of using the law to prosecute the rioters and holds Trump accountable for his actions. It remains to be seen how the trial will unfold and what impact it will have on Trump’s future.
Original Story at www.cnn.com – 2023-08-02 00:41:00