Former President Donald Trump revealed that he has received a target letter from special counsel Jack Smith, indicating that he is the subject of the federal investigation into the events of January 6
The letter implies that Trump may soon face indictment for his alleged attempts to overturn the results of the 2020 election. Trump correctly noted that a target letter typically precedes an arrest and indictment.
He was given the option to testify before the grand jury within four days, but it is unlikely that he will do so due to the risk of self-incrimination.
Multiple media outlets have confirmed the existence of the target letter, although Smith’s team has refrained from commenting on the matter.
Charges unknown
The specific charges Trump may face in relation to the January 6 case remain unknown, as does the timing of the potential indictment. Trump’s decision to publicly announce the target letter more than 24 hours after receiving it is also unclear.
The grand jury overseen by Special Counsel Smith could charge Trump with obstructing an official proceeding of Congress, such as the counting of electoral votes for President Biden, or with corruptly seeking to defraud the United States. Another possible charge could be insurrection, although this has rarely been pursued.
It is worth noting that the January 6 case is distinct from the ongoing Mar-a-Lago classified documents case, in which Trump has already been charged with 37 counts of mishandling documents and defying a subpoena.
Documents case
Coincidentally, Trump is set to appear before U.S. District Court Judge Aileen Cannon in Fort Pierce, Florida, for an initial hearing in the documents case.
Trump’s legal team has requested a suspension of the trial until after the 2024 election, an unprecedented demand that Judge Cannon may rule upon. Additionally, she may address various procedural matters related to the handling of classified documents in the case.
Prosecutors have been closely examining Trump’s actions on January 6, particularly his efforts to mobilize false slates of electors from battleground states won by Biden.
This scheme involved fake electors signing official documents falsely claiming to have been duly elected. Furthermore, state prosecutors in Georgia are investigating Trump’s attempts to overturn his loss in the state, including his public call for election officials to “find” enough votes to secure his victory.
Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis has indicated that she intends to seek indictments in that case after August 1.
