Donald Trump was indicted on Tuesday for his wide-ranging efforts to overturn the 2020 election, the third time in four months that the former U.S. president has been criminally charged even as he campaigns to regain the presidency next year.
The four-count indictment alleges Trump conspired to defraud the U.S. by preventing Congress from certifying President Joe Biden's victory and to deprive voters of their right to a fair election.
Here is a summary of the federal indictment of Donald Trump to overturn the 2020 election:
- On August 1, 2023, a federal grand jury indicted Trump on four felony counts: conspiracy to defraud the United States, conspiracy to obstruct an official proceeding, obstruction of an official proceeding, and defrauding the American people.
- The indictment alleges that Trump and his associates engaged in a "sweeping and systematic effort" to overturn the results of the 2020 election, including by pressuring state officials to "find" votes for him, pressuring Vice President Mike Pence to refuse to certify the election results, and inciting his supporters to attack the U.S. Capitol on January 6, 2021.
- If convicted, Trump could face up to 20 years in prison.
The indictment is the culmination of a nearly two-year investigation by special counsel Jack Smith, who was appointed by the Justice Department to investigate the January 6 attack on the Capitol. The indictment is a major development in the Trump's efforts to overturn the 2020 election, and it could have significant implications for his political future.
Here are some of the key details of the indictment:
- The indictment alleges that Trump and his associates knew that there was no evidence of widespread voter fraud, but they nevertheless made false claims about the election being stolen in order to pressure state officials to overturn the results.
- The indictment also alleges that Trump and his associates pressured Vice President Mike Pence to refuse to certify the election results, even though Pence had no legal authority to do so.
- The indictment further alleges that Trump incited his supporters to attack the U.S. Capitol on January 6, 2021, by telling them to "fight like hell" to keep him in power.
The indictment is a serious charge, and it is likely to have a significant impact on Trump's political future. If convicted, Trump could face up to 20 years in prison. However, it is also possible that Trump will be acquitted, or that the charges will be dropped. Only time will tell how the indictment will play out.