Trump Hit with New Federal Indictment Over 2020 Election Subversion Attempts
August 26, 2024Smith's 81-page brief argues that Judge Aileen Cannon's dismissal of the case deviated from Supreme Court precedent and misinterpreted the statutes governing the appointment of special counsels.
Judge Cannon, appointed by Trump, has faced criticism for allegedly delaying proceedings, contributing to the significant challenges the prosecution has encountered.
Smith's strategy aims to streamline the case by focusing on Trump's actions as a candidate rather than as President, complicating the legal narrative surrounding the charges.
In response to the indictment, Trump took to his Truth Social platform, accusing the Democratic administration of weaponizing the justice system and labeling the prosecution as a desperate attempt to revive a 'dead witch hunt'.
These legal proceedings mark a historic moment, as this is the first time a former president faces federal charges, necessitating careful legal validation amidst intense political pressure.
Donald Trump is facing a new federal indictment related to his alleged attempts to subvert the 2020 election, following a revision of charges by prosecutors after a recent Supreme Court ruling.
In this updated indictment, special counsel Jack Smith has removed references to Trump's interactions with the Department of Justice, as the Supreme Court granted him some immunity in that context.
Despite these changes, the new indictment maintains key charges against Trump, including Conspiracy to Defraud the United States and Obstruction of an Official Proceeding, while omitting references to his official duties.
The appeal against the lower court's dismissal of the case indicates a potentially lengthy legal battle that may escalate to the U.S. Supreme Court, impacting not only this case but also other criminal cases against Trump.
If the appeals court rules in favor of the prosecution, it is unlikely that a trial for Trump will occur before the presidential election scheduled for early November.
The defense team has 30 days to respond to Smith's arguments, after which he will have three weeks for rebuttals, but experts believe a trial is improbable before the election.
As the story develops, further updates are expected regarding the implications of these legal challenges on Trump's political future.
Summary based on 55 sources
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Sources
BBC News • Aug 27, 2024
Trump special counsel files new election interference indictmentThe New York Times • Aug 28, 2024
How the Federal Cases Against Trump Came Sputtering Back to LifeThe New York Times • Aug 27, 2024
Read the New Trump Indictment in the Federal Jan. 6 CaseThe New York Times • Aug 28, 2024
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