Trump Indicted in Connection to 2020 Election Riots: Four Charges Unveiled

Date: Tuesday August 1 2023 5:03 pm

Author: Rebecca Canales

In a dramatic turn of events, former President Donald Trump has been indicted in relation to the 2020 Election Riots that shook the nation. The indictment, filed by Special Prosecutor John Smith, includes four charges, with each carrying its own significance and implications. The charges against Trump are the result of a thorough investigation into his actions before, during, and after the tumultuous events that unfolded on January 6, 2021.

The first charge against Trump alleges that he knowingly and intentionally lied about the 2020 election results. According to the indictment, Trump falsely claimed that there was "outcome-determinative fraud" in the election and that he had won, despite knowing these claims were false. However, legal experts have noted that lying about elections is constitutionally protected by the First Amendment, making this charge the weakest among the four.

The second charge, on the other hand, appears to hold more credibility and legal weight. Trump is accused of organizing fraudulent slates of electors in key battleground states, including Arizona, Georgia, Michigan, Nevada, New Mexico, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin. The indictment alleges that Trump and his co-conspirators used "knowingly false claims of election fraud" to orchestrate these fraudulent slates of electors. In Michigan it was recently shown that people had signed false and fraudulent documents in attempt to steal the election in that state. If proven true, such actions would be deemed illegal, even for a sitting president.

Moving on, the third charge presented by the Special Prosecutor's Office is a matter of great concern for the American legal system. The indictment accuses Trump and his co-conspirators of attempting to use the power of the Justice Department to conduct "sham election crime investigations" and trying to involve then-Vice President Mike Pence in "fraudulently altering the election results." These allegations, if proven in court, would constitute a clear abuse of power and a serious violation of the law. Several co conspirators are also facing charges on abuse of power for harassing, stalking, and threatening violence and defamations against state elections officials in Georgia and Arizona.

The fourth and final charge revolves around Trump's alleged inaction and indifference during the violence that erupted on January 6. The indictment claims that Trump watched the violence unfold on television and ignored pleas to unequivocally condemn it. However, experts have pointed out that there is no legal requirement for a president to send troops when they are not specifically requested. This charge, much like the first one, appears to face hurdles in terms of its legality.

Notably, the Special Prosecutor's Office clarified that they did not find any evidence suggesting that Trump directly incited or led an insurrection against the United States government. This finding may have implications for the legal proceedings and public perception surrounding the indictment.

The indictment marks a significant moment in the history of the United States, as a former president faces serious charges related to his actions surrounding the 2020 election. As the legal process unfolds, the nation will be watching closely to see how these charges are adjudicated and what consequences they may carry for Donald Trump and those involved in the alleged conspiracy.

It is important to note that an indictment is not a conviction, and Trump, like any other accused individual, is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. The upcoming legal proceedings will determine the course of justice in this high-profile case, and the nation awaits the outcome with bated breath.