Former President Donald Trump has been indicted by a grand jury on multiple alleged crimes related to his attempts to overturn the 2020 election results.
The indictment consists of four counts and spans 45 pages, accusing Trump of three separate conspiracies.
The charges include conspiring to defraud the U.S., conspiring to obstruct an official proceeding, and conspiring against people’s rights. Trump vehemently denies any wrongdoing.
The four-count indictment sheds light on a troubling period in modern American history and provides new insights into the events surrounding the Jan. 6, 2021 riot. It includes revealing handwritten notes from former Vice President Mike Pence and how Trump tried to exploit the violence of the riot in a bid to retain his position in office.
In a year marked by numerous legal challenges for Trump, Tuesday’s criminal case stands out for its shocking allegations. The charges portray Trump’s frantic but ultimately unsuccessful attempt to undermine the foundations of democracy and hold onto power.
The indictment charges him with persistent dishonesty concerning the election results, refusing to acknowledge the truth despite counsel from certain aides. Instead, he collaborated with others to improperly manipulate vote counts in his favor. The document highlights that on the day of the Jan. 6, 2021, riot, he sought to “exploit” the turmoil by advocating for a delay in the certification of election results, even after the violent protesters had been dispersed from the building.
According to the indictment, Trump’s assertions of election victory were knowingly untrue, yet he persistently and extensively propagated them. The purpose behind disseminating these false claims was to lend credibility to his baseless allegations, create a climate of intense national suspicion and resentment, and undermine public confidence in the election administration.
Federal prosecutors allege that Trump was unyielding in his pursuit of remaining in office, engaging in conspiracies that directly impacted a fundamental aspect of the U.S. federal government: the process of gathering, tallying, and certifying presidential election results.
The indictment marks the third criminal case filed against the former president, who is aiming to return to the White House in 2024. It comes after an extensive federal investigation into various efforts by Trump and his associates to disrupt the peaceful power transition and retain his position despite a clear defeat in the 2020 election to Joe Biden.
Trump’s court appearance is set for Thursday before U.S. District Judge Tanya Chutkan.