Donald Trump’s Actions “Resorted to Crimes” After 2020 Election, Prosecutors Argue in Filing
Federal prosecutors have leveled serious accusations against former President Donald Trump, alleging that he committed criminal actions in a bid to overturn the 2020 election results. This was revealed in a court filing unsealed Wednesday, which marks a critical point in the legal proceedings. Special counsel Jack Smith’s team submitted the brief following a Supreme Court opinion that granted broad immunity to former presidents for official acts. However, the prosecution argues that Trump’s actions were private, not official, and therefore not shielded by immunity.
Private Acts, Not Presidential Duties
The prosecution’s core argument is that Trump’s attempt to remain in power after losing to Joe Biden was a private initiative, separate from his responsibilities as president. They assert that Trump’s refusal to concede was motivated by personal interests rather than any official duties tied to his presidency.
The brief, submitted to U.S. District Judge Tanya Chutkan, asserts that Trump’s actions fall outside the protections granted to presidents. “When the defendant lost the 2020 presidential election, he resorted to crimes to try to stay in office,” prosecutors wrote.
Pressuring Pence to Overturn Election Results
The filing also details how Trump tried to pressure then-Vice President Mike Pence into blocking the certification of electoral votes on January 6, 2021. Prosecutors revealed that, during a private lunch on November 12, 2020, Pence urged Trump not to concede but to acknowledge that the legal process had concluded. Nonetheless, Trump persisted in his attempts to sway Pence, even urging him during another private meeting to contest the election results.
Prosecutors further highlighted that Trump not only disregarded Pence’s advice but also ignored multiple court rulings that unanimously rejected his legal challenges. He also dismissed statements from Republican officials in key states affirming the legitimacy of the election results.
The Role of Disinformation in the January 6 Attack
Trump’s continuous spread of disinformation, according to the brief, played a pivotal role in the events leading up to the January 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol. Prosecutors argue that Trump’s speech at the Ellipse, where he repeated false claims of election fraud, incited his supporters to march to the Capitol and disrupt the certification of Biden’s victory.
This court filing marks a significant development in the ongoing legal effort to hold Trump accountable for his role in attempting to overturn the election. As the case moves forward, Judge Chutkan will decide if Trump’s actions can indeed be classified as private and therefore subject to criminal prosecution.