NEW YORK, NEW YORK - APRIL 04: Former U.S. President Donald Trump sits at the defense table with his defense team in a Manhattan court during his arraignment on April 4, 2023, in New York City. Trump was arraigned during his first court appearance today following an indictment by a grand jury that heard evidence about money paid to adult film star Stormy Daniels before the 2016 presidential election. With the indictment, Trump becomes the first former U.S. president in history to be charged with a criminal offense. (Photo by Seth Wenig-Pool/Getty Images)
On Thursday, lawyers for Donald Trump met with prosecutors from Special Counsel Jack Smith’s office. It is speculated that the group discussed the likely indictment against Trump for his attempts to overturn the 2020 election.
Last week, Trump received a target letter from Smith notifying him that he is a subject in the investigation into the Capitol insurrection on January 6, 2021. Though the agenda of Thursday’s meeting has not been confirmed, the gathering is reminiscent of one that took place right before Trump was charged with 37 counts of willful retention of national security information in June.
Smith’s letter suggested three potential charges that Trump could face: conspiracy to defraud the United States, obstruction of an official proceeding and violation of a Reconstruction-era civil rights statute that criminalizes efforts to threaten or intimidate anyone in the “free exercise or enjoyment” of any right provided by the Constitution.
Should Trump be charged for attempting to reverse the results of the 2020 election, it will mark the first time in history that a former president used his own government to remain in power against the will of the American people.
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The indictment, which is expected to be brought against Trump next week, will come amid the early stages of the 2024 election cycle. Despite multiple criminal charges and others pending, Trump is currently the Republican frontrunner, leading Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) by more than 20 points.
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