Trump charged in federal election probe, his third criminal indictment

A grand jury has charged the Republican leader with obstruction, conspiracy, in attempt to undo election loss.

Former United States President Donald Trump faces his third criminal indictment in four months, this time stemming from a federal investigation into his alleged attempts to interfere with the results of the 2020 election.

The indictment was filed in Washington, DC, by Special Counsel Jack Smith, who has led investigations into the former president on behalf of the US Department of Justice.

The former president has been accused of attempting to overturn his loss to Democrat Joe Biden in the 2020 race.

“Despite having lost, the Defendant was determined to remain in power,” the indictment reads. “So for more than two months following election day on November 3, 2020, the Defendant spread lies that there had been outcome-determinative fraud in the election and that he had actually won.”

While the indictment affirms Trump’s right to free speech, it claims the former president “pursued unlawful means of discounting legitimate votes and subverting the election results”.

Tuesday’s charges include one count of conspiracy to defraud the US, one count of conspiracy against rights, one count of conspiracy to obstruct an official proceeding, and one count of obstructing an official proceeding.

The former president has been summoned to appear before a federal district court on August 3.

Trump — a Republican frontrunner in the 2024 presidential race — teased the news earlier in the day on his Truth Social platform.

“I hear that Deranged Jack Smith, in order to interfere with the Presidential Election of 2024, will be putting out yet another Fake Indictment of your favorite President,” he wrote.

“Why didn’t they do this 2.5 years ago? Why did they wait so long? Because they wanted to put it right in the middle of my campaign. Prosecutorial Misconduct!”

This is a breaking news story. More updates to follow.