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The former president, Donald Trump, faced an indictment on Tuesday as a result of Special Counsel Jack Smith’s investigation into the events of the Capitol riot on January 6, 2021.
Trump has been indicted on four federal charges, including 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.
This indictment marks the second set of federal charges Trump confronts from Smith’s investigation. The charges from the previous indictment consisted of willful retention of national defense information, conspiracy to obstruct justice, and false statements.
Additionally, Trump faced three additional counts last week as part of a superseding indictment.
This is a significant moment in U.S. history, as it is only the second time a former president has faced federal criminal charges. According to Smith, Trump engaged in spreading false information for over two months, claiming election fraud and his own victory.
Smith alleges that between November 14, 2020, and January 20, 2021, Trump knowingly participated in a conspiracy to defraud the United States, using dishonest and fraudulent means to obstruct and hinder the lawful functioning of the federal government in collecting, counting, and certifying presidential election results.
The indictment also names six individuals as unidentified co-conspirators.
The indictment comes after Trump publicly acknowledged receiving a target letter from the Justice Department, along with a request to report to the federal grand jury. Trump had anticipated an arrest and indictment, and now it has come to fruition.
Smith’s investigation primarily focuses on whether Trump or any other officials and organizations attempted to interfere with the peaceful transition of power following the 2020 presidential election, including the certification of the Electoral College vote on January 6, 2021.
On that fateful day, supporters of Trump breached the U.S. Capitol during a joint session of Congress held to certify the Electoral College results, ultimately declaring President Biden’s victory.
Trump faced articles of impeachment in the House of Representatives on charges of inciting an insurrection, making him the first and only president in history to be impeached twice.
Although the Senate acquitted him, had Trump been convicted, it would have resulted in his disqualification from holding federal office, thereby preventing a potential run for the White House in 2024.
In addition to the federal charges, Trump has also pleaded not guilty to 34 counts in New York. This case stems from Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg’s investigation and revolves around allegations of falsifying business records concerning hush-money payments made during the 2016 campaign. Furthermore, authorities in Fulton County, Georgia are aiming to conclude their criminal investigation into Trump’s alleged efforts to overturn the 2020 presidential election in the state.