A video billboard calling for the conviction of former U.S. President Donald Trump plays near the U.S. Capitol on the fourth day of former President Trump's second impeachment trial at the U.S. Capitol on February 12, 2021 in Washington, DC. Trump's defense lawyers will present their case on Friday, where his legal team will argue that he should be acquitted of inciting an insurrection. PHOTO BY DREW ANGERER/GETTY IMAGES
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After two previous criminal indictments this year, former President Donald Trump could be the subject of an unprecedented third indictment.
Trump said Tuesday that he received a target letter from Special Counsel Jack Smith related to a grand jury investigation of the Jan. 6, 2021 Capitol riot, according to The New York Times.
Trump became the first former president to face charges earlier this year when he was charged in April in connection with a hush money payment made to an adult film star. In June, he pleaded not guilty to a second set of criminal charges in federal court tied to classified documents found at his Mar-a-Lago residence.
Trump could be indicted in the Jan. 6 case after receiving the letter from Smith, who is special counsel for the Department of Justice.
Smith previously notified Trump that he was being targeted for federal investigation related to classified documents, which led to criminal charges and a not guilty plea from Trump.
“Deranged Jack Smith, the prosecutor with Joe Biden’s DOJ, sent a letter (again, it was Sunday night!) stating that I am a TARGET of the January 6th Grand Jury investigation, and giving me a very short 4 days to report to the Grand Jury, which almost always means an Arrest and Indictment,” Trump said on his Truth Social platform.
People close to Trump confirmed the letter was received, according to the New York Times.
No details are known on what potential charges may come relative to an investigation into whether Trump obstructed the transfer of power.
News of the potential indictment comes after Jared Kushner, Trump’s son-in-law, appeared before a grand jury in June. Former Trump lawyer Rudy Giuliani also recently met with prosecutors.
Witnesses have been asked about Trump’s knowledge of losing the 2020 election and what methods he took to impact the electoral college tallies after the general election, according to the report.
The Jan. 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol came during Trump’s final weeks in office at a time when Congress was certifying electoral college votes following the election of President Joe Biden.
Trump has falsely maintained that he won the 2020 election and that he should have remained in office.
Ahead of the attack on the U.S. Capitol, Trump held a rally near the White House where he encouraged protestors.
If Trump is indicted in connection with the 2020 election and obstruction of justice, it could impact the timing of a trial of the former president in the Mar-a-Lago classified documents case.
During a recent town hall event on CNN, Trump refused to acknowledge that he lost the 2020 presidential election or to condemn the protestors who attacked the Capitol.
“They were there proud. They were there with love in their heart. That was unbelievable, and it was a beautiful day,” Trump said of the events of Jan. 6, 2021.
Produced in association with Benzinga
Edited by Saba Fatima and Asad Ali
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