Tayyaba
Yesterday, Donald Trump and a number of his allies were indicted in Georgia, charged with plotting to illegally overturn his 2020 presidential vote loss in the state. This marks Trump’s fourth criminal case to date, and the second of its kind to be linked directly to accusations of trying to subvert the outcome of election processes. Now, Trump has taken to social media to address this indictment, calling it a “witch hunt” against him.
Other named defendants include former White House chief of staff Mark Meadows, the president’s personal lawyer Rudy Giuliani, and a Department of Justice official named Jeffrey Clark. These charges add to Trump’s growing list of legal woes as the former president is also under investigation in New York and by the Jan. 6 Capitol riot committee.
Why is Donald Trump being indicted for the fourth time?
This newly issued grand jury indictment of Trump stems from a two-year investigation that began due to a 2021 phone call with Georgia’s Republican secretary of state. The former president is accused of urging the official to help him “find 11,780 votes” to reverse his narrow loss to President Joe Biden. Trump has been charged with numerous crimes, including violations of Georgia’s racketeering law, conspiracy to commit false statements and writings, and also conspiracy to commit forgery in the first degree.
“This politically-inspired indictment, which could have been brought close to three years ago, was tailored for placement right smack in the middle of my political campaign, where I am leading all Republicans—by a lot—and beating Joe Biden soundly in almost all polls.”
Donald Trump
What has Donald Trump said about his fourth indictment?
Trump has recently responded to news of his latest indictment, calling the investigation a “witch hunt” and attacking the Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis, whom he called “racist and corrupt.” Writing on his Truth Social network, the former president condemned the “politically-motivated” legal action against him, describing it as an unjustified effort to sully his reputation.
He writes, “So, the Witch Hunt continues! 19 people Indicated tonight, including the former President of the United States, me, by an out of control and very corrupt District Attorney who campaigned and raised money on, ‘I will get Trump.’ And what about those Indictment Documents put out today, long before the Grand Jury even voted, and then quickly withdrawn? Sounds Rigged to me! Why didn’t they Indict 2.5 years ago? Because they wanted to do it right in the middle of my political campaign. Witch Hunt!”