Former President Donald Trump may be facing criminal charges related to his efforts to remain in power after the 2020 election. Trump disclosed on social media that federal prosecutors had sent him a “target letter,” indicating he could soon be indicted in connection with the events that led to the Capitol siege on January 6th. While the specific charges were not mentioned, legal experts believe that charges related to obstruction of an official proceeding and conspiracy to defraud the government are likely.
Evidence has emerged over the past two and a half years, including revelations from a House committee investigation and news reports, that supports the accusations against Trump. He has been accused of peddling baseless claims of voter fraud, pressuring officials in states he narrowly lost, recruiting false electors, urging Vice President Mike Pence to delay the certification of President Joe Biden’s win, and inciting his supporters to march on the Capitol.
A source familiar with the matter stated that the target letter cited three statutes that could be applied in a prosecution against Trump, including potential charges of conspiracy to defraud the United States. Norman Eisen, a former House Judiciary Committee member, believes that the special counsel has enough evidence to bring a case against the former president.
Some charges that Trump could potentially face include corruptly obstructing an official proceeding, conspiring to defraud the government, making false statements, and wire and mail fraud. The House committee that investigated the January 6th attack argued that Trump should be charged under Section 1512(c) of Title 18, which could lead to a sentence of up to 20 years in prison. They cited his actions of summoning supporters to Washington and stoking them to march on the Capitol, as well as his involvement in the fake electors scheme.
Additionally, there have been indications that prosecutors have explored potential charges related to wire or mail fraud concerning Trump’s fundraising efforts to overturn the election results. His political action committee, Save America PAC, raised significant funds by falsely claiming the need to fight election fraud. The committee and legal experts have also suggested that Trump could be charged with inciting an insurrection.
Any charges brought in the District of Columbia, where federal grand juries are reviewing evidence, would pose further legal risks for Trump. The Justice Department has already secured convictions in hundreds of cases related to the Capitol riot, indicating that potential jurors may be less sympathetic towards the former president.
While Trump did not provide specific details about the charges in the target letter, it is clear that he is facing significant legal trouble regarding his attempts to overturn the 2020 election results.