Former US President Donald Trump claimed Tuesday that he obtained a letter on Sunday from Particular Counsel Jack Smith, the Division of Justice (DOJ) legal professional main two prison investigations into the previous president, that indicated he was the topic of an investigation into tried 2020 election interference and the January 6, 2021 Capitol riot. Trump claimed that Smith’s letter requested that he seem earlier than a federal grand jury this week, which means {that a} formal prison cost primarily based on the investigation could also be introduced quickly. As of the time of this text, neither the Division of Justice nor Smith has commented on the letter.
A pattern of the kind of letter despatched to Trump, known as a “target letter,” from the DOJ’s web site signifies that Trump was possible requested to seem earlier than the grand jury and knowledgeable of the pending federal expenses in opposition to him.
In a press release posted to Trump’s social media platform, Reality Social, Trump claimed, “Jack Smith … despatched a letter … stating that I’m a TARGET of the January sixth Grand Jury investigation, and giving me a really brief 4 days to report back to the Grand Jury.” Trump additionally continued to consult with Smith’s prison investigations into his conduct as “political weaponization,” sustaining his innocence.
Since US Lawyer Normal Merrick Garland appointed Smith in November 2022 to supervise the 2 pending prison investigations into Trump, there was a gradual and regular stream of reports concerning Smith’s investigation into the 2020 election. In February, Smith subpoenaed former Vice President Mike Pence to offer testimony and paperwork to investigators. Investigators have additionally subpoenaed election officials from Arizona, Michigan, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin—all states that Trump challenged 2020 election ends in—in addition to numerous Trump administration officers.
Smith’s investigation follows an extensive congressional one into the identical issues led by the US Home Choose Committee on the January 6 Assault on the Capitol, which issued prison referrals to the DOJ in December 2022. The committee’s remaining report issued four criminal referrals in opposition to Trump, together with obstruction of official proceedings, conspiracy to defraud the US, conspiracy to make a false statement and inciting, assisting or comforting an insurrection. Neither the DOJ nor Smith is required to adjust to the committee’s referrals.
Trump just lately pleaded not responsible in two separate prison instances. Within the first case, led by Manhattan District Lawyer Alvin Bragg, Trump pleaded not responsible to 34 counts of “falsifying enterprise information within the first diploma.” Within the second case, led by Smith, Trump pleaded not responsible to 37 prison counts in a Florida federal courtroom primarily based on his alleged wrongful retention and concealment of categorised paperwork.
In his submit Tuesday, Trump additionally expressed concern over a potential prison case in opposition to him in Atlanta, Georgia, the place Fulton County District Lawyer Fani Willis concluded her investigation into potential election interference in January. Earlier this month, Trump requested the Georgia Supreme Court docket to halt Willis’s investigation and quash a Georgia particular grand jury’s report; nonetheless, the courtroom denied Trump’s request on Monday. Willis has but to announce any expenses related to the investigation. A new grand jury—seated this time with the facility to indict Trump—started listening to the case final Tuesday.
