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Former President Donald Trump’s Alleged Criminal Scheme to Overturn Election Results
Former President Donald Trump, in his pursuit of remaining in power, has been accused of engaging in a “criminal scheme” to overturn the results of the 2020 election. A comprehensive federal indictment alleges that Trump knowingly spread falsehoods about the election results, even as the Jan. 6 riot unfolded, in an attempt to subvert democracy and stay in office.
Third Indictment Faced by Trump
This indictment marks the third legal challenge faced by Trump. Despite being a frontrunner for the 2024 presidential race, he continues to insist that the election was rigged.
Details of the Alleged Scheme
The indictment reveals that the alleged scheme involved six unnamed co-conspirators, including attorneys and a Justice Department official. The accusations encompass enlisting “fake electors,” employing the Justice Department for “sham election crime investigations,” urging the vice president to alter election results, and persistently spreading false claims amidst the Jan. 6 riot.
Felony Charges Against Trump
The indictment, based on the investigation conducted by special counsel Jack Smith, charges Trump with four felony counts: 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.
Falsely Repeated Claims by Trump
The indictment asserts that Trump knowingly propagated false claims about the election results in Arizona and Georgia for several months. It further highlights the alleged pressure campaign Trump imposed on Vice President Mike Pence, including asking Pence to reject electoral votes and providing false information to convince him to accept fraudulent electors.
Trump’s Determination to Remain in Power
The indictment describes Trump’s relentless pursuit of power, even after losing the election. It highlights his spreading of lies, knowing their falsehood, to legitimize his claims, sow national mistrust, and undermine faith in the election process.
In response to the unsealed indictment, Trump labeled the charges as a “pile-on” and claimed that it constituted election interference. He expressed confidence in his chances of defeating President Joe Biden in 2024.
Pence’s Stand for the Constitution
Vice President Mike Pence, who is currently competing against Trump for the 2024 GOP nomination, released a statement emphasizing the significance of the country and the constitution over any individual’s political career. Pence chose to uphold the constitution when Trump demanded he choose between him and the Constitution.
Assault on American Democracy
Special counsel Jack Smith referred to the Jan. 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol as an unprecedented assault on American democracy. The attack aimed to obstruct the governmental process of collecting, counting, and certifying the presidential election results.
Trump Campaign’s Response
In response to the indictment, the Trump campaign released a statement on the Truth Social platform, comparing the legal actions against Trump and his supporters to “lawlessness” witnessed in authoritarian regimes. The statement argued that Trump has always abided by the law and the Constitution with guidance from accomplished attorneys.
Prior Indictments and Pleas
This marks the third indictment faced by Trump. In the previous indictments, he faced charges related to his handling of classified materials after leaving office and falsifying business records. Trump pleaded not guilty to all charges in both cases. Before Trump, no president or former president had ever been indicted in the history of the country.
Ongoing Investigation
The investigation, overseen by special counsel Jack Smith, involved interviews with several witnesses, including former White House aides, state election officials, Hope Hicks, and Jared Kushner. The probe also examined the actions of individuals involved in attempting to present fake electors on Jan. 6. Attorney General Merrick Garland appointed Smith to lead the investigation to avoid conflicts of interest within the Justice Department.
