In a significant development, former President Donald Trump has been indicted on federal charges for his alleged role in the attempt to overturn the 2020 presidential election. The indictment, filed Aug. 1, marks the first time in American history that a sitting president faces charges of interfering with democratic elections.
"The justice system is now staring Donald Trump directly in the eye," Patrick Gaspard, president and CEO of the Center for American Progress (CAP), said in a release from his organization. "He must be held accountable for one of the darkest chapters in American history: trying to subvert the 2020 presidential election and inciting the January 6 insurrection."
The charges against Trump include conspiracy to defraud the U.S., conspiracy to obstruct an official proceeding, obstruction of and attempt to obstruct an official proceeding and conspiracy against rights; according to the Aug. 1 indictment obtained by the Washington Post. Trump's alleged actions were aimed at subverting the election results and maintaining his grip on the office despite his defeat in the election.
The indictment further alleges that, shortly after election day, Trump pursued unlawful means to discount legitimate votes and undermine the election results. He is accused of perpetrating three criminal conspiracies: conspiring to defraud the U.S. government by using dishonesty, fraud and deceit to obstruct the lawful process of collecting, counting and certifying the presidential election results; conspiring to corruptly obstruct and impede the Jan. 6 congressional proceeding for certifying the election results; and conspiring against the right to vote and have one's vote counted.
Gaspard emphasized in the release the importance of holding Trump accountable for his actions. He further called for a fair trial without political interference or distractions to ensure that no American, even a former president, is above the law. The legal proceedings are expected to draw significant attention, as they carry profound implications for the nation's rule of law and the sanctity of democratic institutions.
This is not the first time Trump has faced criminal charges, according to a June Politico report. Before the current indictment, he was accused of falsifying business records in connection with a hush money payoff to Stormy Daniels and taking sensitive national security documents when he left the White House in January 2021.
