Former President Donald Trump announced on social media that he has been informed by special counsel Jack Smith that he is now a target of the criminal investigation into efforts to overturn the 2020 election. This suggests that he may soon face charges from the special counsel. Trump posted on Truth Social, the social media platform he launched, stating that Smith, the prosecutor with Joe Biden’s DOJ, sent him a target letter, giving him four days to report to the Grand Jury, which likely indicates an arrest and indictment.
Two sources familiar with the situation confirmed that Trump’s attorneys, including Todd Blanche, received the target letter from Smith’s team on Sunday, notifying them that Trump could face charges in the investigation. The target letter from prosecutors focused on Trump’s actions in the effort to overturn the 2020 election, not just those around him who were involved. It is expected that Trump will decline to testify before the grand jury.
Trump’s team was caught off guard by the target letter, as they had not anticipated Smith potentially bringing charges against Trump this month. They spent Tuesday morning reaching out to lawyers and allies to determine if anyone else received a target letter related to the investigation. So far, no other targets have been identified.
Later on Tuesday, Trump addressed the target letter during a Fox News town hall in Iowa, calling Smith’s probe “election interference” and a “disgrace.” Smith, however, declined to comment when asked about the target letter and whether he plans to indict the former president.
This year, Trump has already been indicted twice. In March, Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg charged him with falsifying business records, and last month, Smith charged him with mishandling classified documents. Trump pleaded not guilty in both cases.
Justice Department regulations allow prosecutors to notify subjects of an investigation if they become a target. Typically, this notification is a strong sign that an indictment may follow. However, it is possible that the recipient will not ultimately face charges. Those notifications are not required, but prosecutors have the discretion to inform targets.
Smith’s investigation is focused on the efforts to overturn the 2020 election leading up to the January 6, 2021, attack on the US Capitol. This includes the fake electors and pressure campaign against then-Vice President Mike Pence. Prosecutors are also looking into Trump’s knowledge of his election loss, efforts within the Justice Department to assist with overturning the election, and fundraising activities after the election.
The grand jury is still hearing from witnesses, and a close adviser to Trump is expected to appear on Thursday. Dozens of witnesses, including top White House aides and Pence, have already spoken to federal investigators. Trump’s former attorney Rudy Giuliani also participated in a voluntary interview with prosecutors last month.
In recent months, federal prosecutors working for the special counsel have interviewed officials from battleground states that Trump targeted in his efforts to overturn the election. This includes officials from Nevada, Wisconsin, and Arizona. Former Arizona Governor Doug Ducey confirmed that he has been contacted by Smith’s team.
As the investigation continues, Trump and his allies are strategizing on how to respond. Trump reached out to top allies on Capitol Hill, including House Speaker Kevin McCarthy and House GOP Conference Chair Elise Stefanik, to discuss their plans for defending against the special counsel’s investigation. McCarthy condemned the investigation, stating that the American public is tired of it.
Trump defended himself on social media, citing his constitutional right to protest an election that he believes was rigged and stolen. He likened his actions to those of Democrats who protested his own election in 2016.
As the investigation progresses, it remains to be seen whether Trump will ultimately face charges related to his efforts to overturn the 2020 election. The target letter from the special counsel indicates that he is a focus of the investigation, but it is yet to be determined if he will be indicted.