Donald Trump told his supporters not to trust news that he was about to be indicted – just days before the indictment came. On his Truth Social media account, President Trump said, “My attorneys had a productive meeting with the DOJ this morning, explaining in detail that I did nothing wrong, was advised by many lawyers, and that an Indictment of me would only further destroy our Country. No indication of notice was given during the meeting — Do not trust the Fake News on anything!”
Trump was responding to a story published by NBC saying his lawyers were told by DOJ Special Counsel Jack Smith, who is leading the investigations into the former President’s conduct, that an indictment was imminent. Trump insisted no such forewarning had been given.
While there is remaining confusion around the warning, the indictment has finally been issued, and the former President of the United States will answer to federal charges for the second time this year.
Mr. Trump will face four separate charges. These are conspiring to defraud the United States government, conspiring to obstruct an official proceeding, conspiring against rights, and obstruction and attempt to obstruct an official proceeding. Prosecutors argue that the motivation behind the alleged offenses was a determination to remain in power at any cost.
The indictment includes six alleged co-conspirators, most of whom are Trump’s attorneys, but they are not named.
The former President has already begun fundraising off the back of the indictment. He has asked his supporters to “help peacefully DEFEND our movement from the never-ending witch hunts.”
The historic indictment adds to the long list of legal battles President Trump is fighting. More charges are expected from Georgia later this year concerning his alleged attempt to overturn the 2020 result in that state. He faces criminal charges in New York for falsifying documents and federal charges in Florida for mishandling classified papers. GOP Chair Elise Stefanik called the latest indictment a dark day in America.
