President-elect Donald Trump would have faced conviction for illegal attempts to overturn the 2020 presidential election results—which he lost—if he had not been reelected in the 2024 presidential election, according to a Department of Justice (DOJ) report submitted to Congress.
“The admissible evidence was sufficient to secure and support a conviction at trial,” the Special Counsel Jack Smith’s report states, as reported by the BBC.
Smith, who led the investigation, has been labeled as “deranged,” with his findings dismissed as “false” by Trump following the report’s release, according to Reporteri.net.
Key Developments
The 137-page document was sent to Congress after Judge Aileen Cannon authorized the publication of the first part of a two-part report on Smith’s findings regarding election interference.
The Special Counsel’s investigation was initiated to supervise DOJ probes into Trump. Appointed in 2022, Smith was tasked with ensuring impartiality in cases where conflicts of interest could arise.
Trump faced charges of unlawfully retaining classified documents at his Mar-a-Lago residence in Florida and conspiracy to overturn the 2020 election results. Both cases led to criminal indictments. Trump pleaded not guilty and has consistently claimed the prosecutions are politically motivated.
Background and Implications
Smith resigned from his role as Special Counsel last week. His investigation uncovered extensive evidence of Trump’s actions to reverse the 2020 election outcome, culminating in legal proceedings against the former president.
The allegations against Trump include withholding classified materials and conspiring to undermine democratic processes. Despite these charges, Trump has remained defiant, framing the cases as partisan attacks.
The report’s release comes as Trump prepares to assume office on January 20, following his victory in the 2024 presidential election.
Conclusion
The DOJ’s findings shed light on what could have been a historic prosecution if Trump had not returned to the presidency. As he takes office, questions about accountability and legal precedence remain pivotal to his controversial political career.
