Trump charged by Justice Department for efforts to overturn his 2020 presidential election loss

The Justice Department has filed charges against Donald Trump as part of its investigation into his attempts to overturn the 2020 presidential election results. These efforts, which proved unsuccessful, led to the violent riot by his supporters at the U.S. Capitol. This is the third criminal case brought against Trump as he aims to reclaim the White House in the 2024 election. The charges stem from a serious threat to American democracy and focus on the two months after the November 2020 election, during which Trump refused to accept his loss and spread false claims of a stolen victory.

During this period, Trump urged local election officials to reverse voting results, pressured Vice President Mike Pence to stop the certification of electoral votes, and repeatedly made baseless claims about the election’s legitimacy. The indictment was expected, as Trump had been informed in mid-July that he was a target of the Jan. 6 investigation. The House committee investigating the Capitol riot also recommended prosecuting Trump on charges related to aiding an insurrection and obstructing an official proceeding.

The ongoing criminal cases against Trump, as well as various civil cases, are unfolding amid the 2024 election race. A conviction in any of these cases would not prevent him from running for or serving as president. He also faces separate charges in New York and Florida. The latest federal indictment concentrates on actions taken in Washington, with no trial date set yet.

Prosecutors in Georgia are also investigating Trump’s attempts to reverse his election loss there. The investigation was led by Justice Department special counsel Jack Smith, who questioned senior Trump administration officials, including Pence and White House lawyers. Rudy Giuliani, one of Trump’s lawyers, spoke voluntarily to prosecutors under a proffer agreement, which prevents his statements from being used against him in any future criminal case.

The Justice Department’s election meddling investigation examined the role of Trump’s lawyers, post-election fundraising, a White House meeting discussing the possibility of seizing voting machines, and the involvement of fake electors submitting false certificates to claim Trump won certain states. Trump has been using the legal troubles to his political advantage, claiming the cases are driven by Democratic prosecutors seeking to harm his 2024 campaign.

Attorney General Merrick Garland appointed Jack Smith as special counsel for the investigation, which began before his appointment and ran alongside separate probes into the January 6 rioters. Over 1,000 people have been charged in connection with the Capitol insurrection, some with seditious conspiracy charges.

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• “Trump charged by Justice Department for efforts to overturn his 2020 presidential election loss” (USA Today)
• “Trump’s legal troubles mount as prosecutors home in on his finances” (NBC News)
• “Trump lawyer Rudy Giuliani spoke to prosecutors as part of plea deal” (Reuters)
• “More than 1,000 charged in Capitol riot” (The Hill)
• “Former President Trump faces third criminal case amid 2024 race” (ABC News)
• “Justice Department’s investigation into election interference and Capitol riot” (CNN)
• “Prosecutors investigate Trump’s efforts to overturn 2020 election in Georgia” (CBS News)
• “Attorney General Merrick Garland appoints special counsel for election investigation” (NPR)