President Donald Trump has been indicted by a federal grand jury investigating his efforts to overturn the 2020 presidential election and his role in the attack on the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021.
Trump, who is seeking the Republican nomination in the 2024 presidential race, previously said he was a target in special counsel Jack Smith’s probe of the actions leading up to the Jan. 6 attack. This is the third indictment the former president has faced this year.
Read live updates on the indictment below:
We’ll Be Back Tomorrow For Trump’s Arraignment
We’re wrapping up today’s coverage of the third and most significant indictment against Trump — but we’ll be back soon!
Check back with HuffPost tomorrow as our reporters cover Trump’s arraignment — and key moments leading up to it — at the federal courthouse in Washington, D.C.
The former president is scheduled to be arraigned Thursday afternoon, but we’ll be sending live updates all day.
See you then!
Check back with HuffPost tomorrow as our reporters cover Trump’s arraignment — and key moments leading up to it — at the federal courthouse in Washington, D.C.
The former president is scheduled to be arraigned Thursday afternoon, but we’ll be sending live updates all day.
See you then!
Pence Says Trump Lied About Delay Request Claim
Former Vice President Mike Pence denied Donald Trump’s claim that he'd only wanted him to request a pause of the Electoral College vote-counting and delay the 2020 presidential election certification.
In an interview with Fox News, Pence said the former president's claim was “completely false.”
“Let’s let’s be clear on this point: It wasn’t just to ask for a pause,” Pence said on Fox News before once again calling Trump’s attorneys “crackpot lawyers.”
“The president specifically asked me ― and his gaggle of crackpot lawyers asked me ― to literally reject votes, which would have resulted in the issue being turned over to the House of Representatives and literally chaos would have ensued,” Pence told Fox News.
Read more on Pence’s remarks in this report by HuffPost’s Arthur Delaney.
In an interview with Fox News, Pence said the former president's claim was “completely false.”
“Let’s let’s be clear on this point: It wasn’t just to ask for a pause,” Pence said on Fox News before once again calling Trump’s attorneys “crackpot lawyers.”
“The president specifically asked me ― and his gaggle of crackpot lawyers asked me ― to literally reject votes, which would have resulted in the issue being turned over to the House of Representatives and literally chaos would have ensued,” Pence told Fox News.
Read more on Pence’s remarks in this report by HuffPost’s Arthur Delaney.
Trump Snaps Back At Former Running Mate
Trump addressed former Vice President Mike Pence directly in a Truth Social post Wednesday afternoon, a day after Pence issued a relatively harsh statement saying the latest Trump indictment serves as a reminder that "anyone who puts himself over the Constitution should never be President of the United States." Pence also spoke critically of his former running mate during a Wednesday campaign stop.
"I feel badly for Mike Pence, who is attracting no crowds, enthusiasm, or loyalty from people who, as a member of the Trump Administration, should be loving him," Trump wrote on his social media platform. He went on to claim that the vice president's office came with "power that Mike didn't understand," referring to the vice president's role in the formal election certification process. The position is ceremonial, although Trump tried to convince Pence that he could overturn the election results.
"I feel badly for Mike Pence, who is attracting no crowds, enthusiasm, or loyalty from people who, as a member of the Trump Administration, should be loving him," Trump wrote on his social media platform. He went on to claim that the vice president's office came with "power that Mike didn't understand," referring to the vice president's role in the formal election certification process. The position is ceremonial, although Trump tried to convince Pence that he could overturn the election results.
Co-Conspirator 6 in Trump Indictment Appears To Be Boris Epshteyn, New York Times Reports
Boris Epshteyn, a strategic adviser to Trump’s 2020 campaign, appears to be the individual referenced in the indictment as co-conspirator 6, The New York Times reports.
The indictment refers to co-conspirator 6 as “a political consultant who helped implement a plan to submit fraudulent slates of presidential electors to obstruct the certification proceeding.” According to the Times, Epshteyn sent an email to Rudy Guiliani — described as co-conspirator 1 in the indictment — in December 2020 that suggested attorneys in seven states who could help in choosing fake electors to certify the election in Trump’s favor.
The indictment refers to co-conspirator 6 as “a political consultant who helped implement a plan to submit fraudulent slates of presidential electors to obstruct the certification proceeding.” According to the Times, Epshteyn sent an email to Rudy Guiliani — described as co-conspirator 1 in the indictment — in December 2020 that suggested attorneys in seven states who could help in choosing fake electors to certify the election in Trump’s favor.
Former Vice President Mike Pence Criticizes Trump During Campaign Event
Former Vice President Mike Pence spoke more in depth about former President Donald Trump’s latest indictment during a campaign event at the Indiana State Fair on Wednesday, ABC News reported.
"I really do believe that anyone who puts themselves over the Constitution should never be President of the United States. And anyone who asks someone else to put themselves over the Constitution should never be President of the United States again," he said of Trump, his former boss and current opponent in the GOP presidential primary.
"Sadly, the president was surrounded by a group of crackpot lawyers," Pence added. "Our Constitution is more important than any one man."
"I really do believe that anyone who puts themselves over the Constitution should never be President of the United States. And anyone who asks someone else to put themselves over the Constitution should never be President of the United States again," he said of Trump, his former boss and current opponent in the GOP presidential primary.
"Sadly, the president was surrounded by a group of crackpot lawyers," Pence added. "Our Constitution is more important than any one man."
Local And Federal Law Enforcement On Alert For Arraignment
Addressing security concerns ahead of Trump's Thursday afternoon arraignment, Washington, D.C., law enforcement issued a statement, per local CBS affiliate WUSA.
"The Metropolitan Police Department is working closely with our federal law enforcement partners to monitor the situation and plan accordingly to ensure the safety of DC residents and visitors," a spokesperson for the police department said. "MPD encourages the public to remain vigilant, if you see something, say something. Please report immediate suspicious activity by calling 911."
"The Metropolitan Police Department is working closely with our federal law enforcement partners to monitor the situation and plan accordingly to ensure the safety of DC residents and visitors," a spokesperson for the police department said. "MPD encourages the public to remain vigilant, if you see something, say something. Please report immediate suspicious activity by calling 911."
Trump Dined With Fox News Execs After Indictment: Report
Right after learning he was being charged with additional federal crimes, Trump dined privately with Fox News executives at his New Jersey golf club Tuesday evening, The New York Times reported.
Fox News President Jay Wallace and the network’s chief executive, Suzanne Scott, were reportedly trying to convince Trump — who is far and away the leading 2024 Republican presidential candidate — to participate in the first Republican presidential primary debate, slated for Aug. 23 in Milwaukee. Their meeting was described as "cordial," according to the Times.
Fox is airing the debate, which Trump has said he may skip in favor of his own event.
Fox News President Jay Wallace and the network’s chief executive, Suzanne Scott, were reportedly trying to convince Trump — who is far and away the leading 2024 Republican presidential candidate — to participate in the first Republican presidential primary debate, slated for Aug. 23 in Milwaukee. Their meeting was described as "cordial," according to the Times.
Fox is airing the debate, which Trump has said he may skip in favor of his own event.
Trump Expected To Appear In Person At Thursday Arraignment: Reports
Trump is expected to arrive in person Thursday at federal court in Washington for his arraignment on charges that he conspired to overturn the legitimate results of the 2020 presidential election, according to NBC News and The Washington Post.
He has been summoned to appear at 4 p.m. EST.
He has been summoned to appear at 4 p.m. EST.
All The Republicans Who Told Trump He Was Wrong
The latest indictment makes clear that a number of people in Trump’s orbit told him the claims he was making about the 2020 presidential election were not based in reality. Many of their names are also familiar to those who watched last summer’s congressional hearings on the subject.
HuffPost’s Jennifer Bendery has the list here:
HuffPost’s Jennifer Bendery has the list here:
Jan. 6 Insurrection's Fiscal Consequences For America
Ratings agency Fitch said the deterioration of governance as evidenced by the Jan. 6 riot was one of the factors it took into account when it downgraded America's credit rating yesterday, Reuters reported.
Fitch highlighted severe political polarization in meetings with the Treasury Department ahead of the surprise downgrade to AA+ from AAA.
Fitch is the second agency to strip the U.S. of its triple-A rating, after Standard & Poor’s.
Read more here.
Fitch highlighted severe political polarization in meetings with the Treasury Department ahead of the surprise downgrade to AA+ from AAA.
Fitch is the second agency to strip the U.S. of its triple-A rating, after Standard & Poor’s.
Read more here.
DOJ's Trump Indictment Relies On Jan. 6 House Panel's Work: New York Times
The New York Times reported that the Justice Department's indictment of Trump relies heavily on the findings of the House panel tasked with investigating the Jan. 6, 2021, Capitol riot.
Soumya Dayananda, a senior investigator for the select committee, which shut down in early 2021 after Republicans officially took back the House, told the Times their work provided a "path" for special counsel Jack Smith to prosecute Trump.
“The committee served as educating the country about what the former president did, and this is finally accountability," Dayananda said. "The congressional committee wasn’t going to be able to bring accountability; that was in the hands of the Department of Justice.”
Soumya Dayananda, a senior investigator for the select committee, which shut down in early 2021 after Republicans officially took back the House, told the Times their work provided a "path" for special counsel Jack Smith to prosecute Trump.
“The committee served as educating the country about what the former president did, and this is finally accountability," Dayananda said. "The congressional committee wasn’t going to be able to bring accountability; that was in the hands of the Department of Justice.”
Sen. Lisa Murkowski Calls On Americans To Read Trump Jan. 6 Indictment
Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska), one of seven Republicans who voted to convict Trump in his impeachment for inciting Jan. 6, on Tuesday urged Americans to read the 45-page indictment.
Murkowski wrote that additional evidence uncovered since her vote, including the work of the House select committee investigating the insurrection, "has only reinforced that the former President played a key role in instigating the riots, resulting in physical violence and desecration of the U.S. Capitol on January 6, 2021."
Murkowski noted, however, that Trump "is innocent until proven guilty and will have his day in court."
"As that process begins, I encourage everyone to read the indictment, to understand the very serious allegations being made in this case," she concluded.
Murkowski wrote that additional evidence uncovered since her vote, including the work of the House select committee investigating the insurrection, "has only reinforced that the former President played a key role in instigating the riots, resulting in physical violence and desecration of the U.S. Capitol on January 6, 2021."
Murkowski noted, however, that Trump "is innocent until proven guilty and will have his day in court."
"As that process begins, I encourage everyone to read the indictment, to understand the very serious allegations being made in this case," she concluded.
George Conway Predicts Trump 'Won't Make It Through The Next Year'
George Conway, a conservative lawyer and prominent critic of Donald Trump, predicted the former president will face a tough time next year as his criminal indictments pile up.
In addition to Tuesday's indictment in special counsel Jack Smith's probe into the 2020 election, Trump faces the prospect of charges in Georgia stemming from Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis' investigation of his attempts to overturn his defeat in that state.
While the two cases don't appear to be coordinated, Conway said what the two prosecutors are trying to prove is "parallel."
"At the end of the day, what matters is you get two bites of the apple," Conway told MSNBC's "Morning Joe."
Conway added Trump has played "Russian roulette with the law."
"I don't think he's going to make it through the next year," Conway added.
In addition to Tuesday's indictment in special counsel Jack Smith's probe into the 2020 election, Trump faces the prospect of charges in Georgia stemming from Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis' investigation of his attempts to overturn his defeat in that state.
While the two cases don't appear to be coordinated, Conway said what the two prosecutors are trying to prove is "parallel."
"At the end of the day, what matters is you get two bites of the apple," Conway told MSNBC's "Morning Joe."
Conway added Trump has played "Russian roulette with the law."
"I don't think he's going to make it through the next year," Conway added.
Trump Lawyer Weighs In On Trial Timing
John Lauro, a lawyer representing Donald Trump, weighed in on special counsel Jack Smith’s intention to hold a “speedy trial.”
Asked if Trump's team would be prepared to quickly deal with the case in court, Lauro told NBC’s “Today” that “a speedy trial is the defendant’s right, not the government’s right. So we’re entitled to understand what the charges are. We’re entitled to do our own investigation.”
Lauro continued: “The Justice Department has had three years to investigate this. To take President Trump to trial in 90 days, of course, is absurd. The question is why do they want to do that.”
Asked if Trump's team would be prepared to quickly deal with the case in court, Lauro told NBC’s “Today” that “a speedy trial is the defendant’s right, not the government’s right. So we’re entitled to understand what the charges are. We’re entitled to do our own investigation.”
Lauro continued: “The Justice Department has had three years to investigate this. To take President Trump to trial in 90 days, of course, is absurd. The question is why do they want to do that.”
Trump Thanks Supporters, Claims World Has Awoken ‘To The Corruption’
In his first social media post Wednesday following his indictment, Trump thanked his supporters, claiming that he has “never had so much support on anything before” and that the “world” has awoken to his unfair treatment.
The federal indictment “has awoken the world to the corruption, scandal, & failure that has taken place in the United States for the past three years,” he posted on Truth Social. “America is a nation in decline, but we will make it great again, greater than ever before.”
In an earlier statement Tuesday, Trump’s presidential campaign accused President Joe Biden of weaponizing the Department of Justice against him to interfere with the 2024 presidential election.
Trump was indicted Tuesday on four federal charges: conspiracy to defraud the United States, conspiracy to obstruct an official proceeding, obstruction of and attempt to obstruct an official proceeding, and conspiracy against rights.
The federal indictment “has awoken the world to the corruption, scandal, & failure that has taken place in the United States for the past three years,” he posted on Truth Social. “America is a nation in decline, but we will make it great again, greater than ever before.”
In an earlier statement Tuesday, Trump’s presidential campaign accused President Joe Biden of weaponizing the Department of Justice against him to interfere with the 2024 presidential election.
Trump was indicted Tuesday on four federal charges: conspiracy to defraud the United States, conspiracy to obstruct an official proceeding, obstruction of and attempt to obstruct an official proceeding, and conspiracy against rights.
Maggie Haberman Reveals Trump's Reaction To Jan. 6 Indictment
Veteran New York Times reporter Maggie Haberman gave a glimpse into how Donald Trump reacted to his latest indictment.
"Everything with him is about appearances and he wants to give off the appearance that everything is fine," Haberman told CNN Tuesday evening.
"Everything with him is about appearances and he wants to give off the appearance that everything is fine," Haberman told CNN Tuesday evening.
Why Trump's Jan. 6 Indictment Is The Most Serious
The latest criminal charges special counsel Jack Smith brought against Donald Trump highlight the former president’s relentless lies and disdain for democracy.
While the charges Trump faces in Manhattan and South Florida are more about his megalomania, this case shows how far Trump and his allies were willing to go to turn his big lie about winning an election he clearly lost into a reality.
"No trial in American history has come close to the importance of trying a former president, who is also running to reclaim the White House, for an attempt to steal an election," HuffPost's Kevin Robillard and Paul Blumenthal explain.
While the charges Trump faces in Manhattan and South Florida are more about his megalomania, this case shows how far Trump and his allies were willing to go to turn his big lie about winning an election he clearly lost into a reality.
"No trial in American history has come close to the importance of trying a former president, who is also running to reclaim the White House, for an attempt to steal an election," HuffPost's Kevin Robillard and Paul Blumenthal explain.
Could A President Work From Prison?
CNN asked a legal analyst whether Trump could serve as president in 2024 if he were convicted of crimes. The short answer? Yes.
If the trial were still going on, he could possibly grant himself a pardon if he were elected president, said University of California, Los Angeles law professor Richard L. Hasen.
And could he serve as president from a prison cell?
“How someone would serve as president from prison is a happily untested question,” Hasen said.
Read more here.
If the trial were still going on, he could possibly grant himself a pardon if he were elected president, said University of California, Los Angeles law professor Richard L. Hasen.
And could he serve as president from a prison cell?
“How someone would serve as president from prison is a happily untested question,” Hasen said.
Read more here.
Professor Points Out The Yikes
Harvard constitutional law professor Laurence Tribe said there's one thing that could render the "brilliant" indictment moot: Attorney General Merrick Garland's timing.
“If the next presidency is held either by Donald Trump or by one of his acolytes or by virtually any Republican, there is the horrible prospect that this will all be wiped away,” Tribe said on MSNBC on Tuesday evening.
Read more here.
“If the next presidency is held either by Donald Trump or by one of his acolytes or by virtually any Republican, there is the horrible prospect that this will all be wiped away,” Tribe said on MSNBC on Tuesday evening.
Read more here.
Raskin Breaks Things Down
Rep. Jamie Raskin (D-Md.), a member of the House Jan. 6th committee and lead manager of Trump's second impeachment trial, debunked an argument by a Trump attorney that this indictment is “an attack on free speech and political advocacy."
"You can say whatever you want,” Raskin said. “But the minute you actually try to obstruct the meeting of Congress, you crossed over from speech to conduct.”
Read more here.
"You can say whatever you want,” Raskin said. “But the minute you actually try to obstruct the meeting of Congress, you crossed over from speech to conduct.”
Read more here.
Key Moment
7 Key Takeaways From Trump's Jan. 6 Indictment
HuffPost's Nick Visser has gathered the seven main things to know about Trump's latest historic indictment over his efforts to undo Joe Biden's win in the 2020 presidential election.