U.S. District Judge for the District of Columbia Tanya Chutkan unsealed a crucial filing in Special Counsel Jack Smith's election case against former President Trump. The 165-page document, submitted by Smith, outlines the case and alleged evidence intended for use in a potential trial against Trump.
Trump has pleaded not guilty to all charges brought against him by Smith. Earlier this year, the Supreme Court ruled that a president is immune from prosecution for official acts. In response, Smith filed a revised indictment against Trump, maintaining previous criminal charges but narrowing and reframing allegations to comply with the Supreme Court ruling.
In the unsealed filing, Smith presents a 'factual proffer,' alleging that Trump engaged in criminal activities to try to retain office after losing the 2020 presidential election. The document details a series of purportedly desperate plans orchestrated by Trump and private co-conspirators to overturn election results in seven states he had lost.
These efforts allegedly included lying to state officials, manufacturing fraudulent electoral votes, and attempting to obstruct Congress's certification of the election. Smith claims that Trump and his co-conspirators engaged in a conspiracy to interfere with the federal government's election result collection and counting process, obstruct official proceedings, and violate the voting rights of millions of Americans.
Trump campaign spokesman Steven Cheung criticized the filing as 'falsehood-ridden' and part of an attempt by the current administration to undermine American democracy. Cheung labeled the case as a 'partisan, Unconstitutional Witch Hunt' and called for its dismissal.
Despite the ongoing legal battle and differing perspectives on the case, the unsealing of the filing sheds light on the allegations and strategies being pursued by Special Counsel Jack Smith in the election case against former President Trump.
