Possible Legal Challenges Against Trump Intensify Amid 2024 Campaign Run

Challenges ranging from hush-money payments, classified records, to his actions concerning the 2020 election which led to the Capitol attack, are mounting for Donald Trump. As he prepares for the 2024 elections, the former president’s legal challenges in New York and Florida are intensifying, especially those related to his attempts to retain power following the 2020 election results.

A target letter from special counsel Jack Smith hints at Trump potentially facing new federal charges. This compounds the unique situation of a former president battling potential incarceration while simultaneously contending for the Republican nomination.

Smith’s comprehensive investigation into the tumultuous period following Trump’s election defeat and the Jan. 6, 2021, Capitol attack by his supporters seems to be approaching a conclusion. Concurrently, a new case could emerge as a recently appointed grand jury in Georgia may decide whether to indict Trump and his Republican allies for their attempts to overturn his election loss in the state.

Trump has refuted any misconduct in these cases and has dismissed the legal proceedings as a malicious attempt to hinder his 2024 campaign.

Here’s an overview of the Jan. 6 investigation, Trump’s legal troubles, and what might occur next:

WHAT IS THE JAN. 6 INVESTIGATION FOCUSING ON?

The investigation headed by Smith, appointed by Attorney General Merrick Garland in November, has interrogated numerous former White House officials, Trump allies, lawyers, and state election officials, either voluntarily or before the grand jury. These include former Vice President Mike Pence, who has publicly discussed Trump’s attempts to persuade him to reject President Joe Biden’s electoral win.

Smith’s team appears to be interested in a meeting held in the White House on Dec. 18, 2020, which an aide described as “unhinged”. Here, Trump’s private lawyers proposed the U.S. military confiscate state voting machines to investigate his unfounded voter fraud claims. This suggestion was deemed “nuts” by a White House lawyer.

Smith is also examining evidence surrounding Trump’s associates’ plans to recruit electors in swing states to sign certificates claiming Trump’s victory over Biden. These fraudulent certificates were then sent to the National Archives and Congress, where some Republicans used them to justify delaying or obstructing the election’s certification.

Smith’s team is also following up on the story of a Georgia election worker, Ruby Freeman, who allegedly received death threats after false accusations of ballot fraud from Trump and his allies.

WHAT IS THE NEXT STEP?

The timeline for the conclusion of Smith’s investigation remains uncertain. Trump claimed he was invited to appear before the grand jury this week, but it is not mandatory for investigation targets to testify and they rarely choose to do so. The grand jury would eventually vote on whether there is sufficient evidence to indict him.

Legal experts suggest potential charges against Trump could include conspiracy to defraud the United States and obstruction of an official proceeding. Over a thousand individuals accused of federal crimes in the Jan. 6 riot have been charged with obstruction, carrying a maximum sentence of 20 years.

Should Trump be indicted in the Jan. 6 case, he might face a jury in overwhelmingly Democratic Washington, where many residents witnessed the chaos unfold firsthand.

Trump’s OTHER LEGAL CHALLENGES?

Last month, Trump pleaded not guilty to 37 federal felony counts of illegally hoarding classified records at his Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida and refusing to return them. The trial could potentially take place before or after the 2024 election.

In New York, Trump is expected to face trial in March on charges brought by Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg. The case involves allegations of covering up extramarital affairs during his first White House campaign. Trump has pleaded not guilty.

In Georgia, Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis has been investigating Trump and his allies for their efforts to overturn his election loss. Willis anticipates that any indictments would likely be issued in August.

Additionally, in Michigan, felony charges including forgery were filed against 16 Republicans who acted as fake electors for Trump in 2020.

Reporting by Richer from Boston.

For more on investigations related to Donald Trump, visit: https://bigbignews.net/donald-trump

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More about Trump’s Legal Challenges

• Donald Trump’s Legal Challenges
• 2024 Presidential Election
• Jan. 6 Capitol Attack
• Trump’s Georgia Election Loss
• Manhattan District Attorney Case
• Charges against Fake Electors