Trump indicted over alleged efforts to overturn 2020 election


Former President Donald Trump was indicted Tuesday on federal charges related to his alleged efforts to overturn the results of the 2020 presidential election.
The indictment, issued via the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia, charged Trump with four counts, including conspiracy to defraud the United States, conspiracy to obstruct an official proceeding, obstruction of justice, and witness tampering. Trump's criminal charges come two weeks after he received a target letter informing him that he was the subject of a Justice Department investigation into his actions following the election.
The indictment, spearheaded by special counsel Jack Smith, alleges that Trump "was determined to remain in power" despite having lost, and "spread lies that there had been outcome-determinative fraud in the election" in order to "create an intense national atmosphere of mistrust and anger." It was also noted that Trump's "efforts to change the outcome in any state through recounts, audits or legal challenges were uniformly unsuccessful."
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
This marks the second federal indictment that has been brought against Trump, and the third time overall that he's been criminally charged since leaving office. The prior federal case, also brought by Smith, was handed down this past June, and concerns Trump's alleged mishandling of classified documents at his Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida. Trump also faces state charges in New York for allegedly falsifying business records. He has pleaded not guilty in both of these cases and awaits trial in both.
In a statement, the Trump campaign called the latest indictment "nothing more than the latest corrupt chapter in the continued pathetic attempt by the Biden crime family and their weaponized Department of Justice to interfere with the 2024 presidential election." There is no evidence that President Biden ordered the indictment of Trump.
The former president is due in court this coming Thursday.
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Justin Klawans has worked as a staff writer at The Week since 2022. He began his career covering local news before joining Newsweek as a breaking news reporter, where he wrote about politics, national and global affairs, business, crime, sports, film, television and other news. Justin has also freelanced for outlets including Collider and United Press International.
-
Judge halts GOP defunding of Planned Parenthood
Speed Read The Trump administration can't withhold Medicaid funds from Planned Parenthood, said the ruling
-
Trump contradicts Israel, says 'starvation' in Gaza
Speed Read The president suggests Israel could be doing more to alleviate the suffering of Palestinians
-
The Pentagon's missing missiles
Feature The U.S. military is low on weapons. Can it restock before a major conflict breaks out?
-
Rescissions: Trump's push to control federal spending
Feature The GOP passed a bill to reduce funding for PBS, NPR and other public media stations
-
Knives come out for Pam Bondi
IN THE SPOTLIGHT She wasn't Trump's first pick to lead the Justice Department. After months of scandals and setbacks, is the attorney general's MAGA shelf life winding down?
-
Can Gaza aid drops work?
Today's Big Question UN's Palestinian refugee agency calls plan a 'distraction and smokescreen' as pressure mounts on Israel to agree ceasefire and fully open land crossings
-
'Spending is what card issuers are hoping you will do'
Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
-
Trump executive order targets homeless
Speed Read It will now be easier for states and cities to remove homeless people from the streets