In a written statement released on Tuesday, former President Donald Trump confirmed that he is the target of a federal investigation into the January 6, 2021 insurrection and could face imminent indictment on charges related to his efforts to overturn the 2020 election results. Trump stated that he received a letter from special counsel Jack Smith, giving him a short four-day notice to report to the Grand Jury, which usually indicates an arrest and indictment.
While Trump did not disclose whether he would appear before the grand jury, he mentioned that his attorneys had informed him about the letter on Sunday night. Legal experts familiar with such investigations noted that a target letter signifies that charges are forthcoming.
Brandon Van Grack, a former senior Justice Department lawyer and prosecutor who worked on special counsel Robert Mueller’s investigation into Trump’s ties to Russia, suggested that an indictment could be issued as early as next week. However, he acknowledged that it could also happen this week, depending on when the grand jury convenes to hear evidence and present charges to the judge.
The specific charges Trump may face in this sprawling investigation remain unknown. The probe focuses on whether Trump incited his supporters to storm the U.S. Capitol and obstructed the certification of Joe Biden’s victory. It also encompasses his attempts to overturn election results in various states, including Georgia, where a separate state investigation is underway.
A target letter is typically sent to individuals under investigation, inviting them to testify about their actions while warning them of potential arrest and indictment. Trump previously received a similar notice before his indictment in Florida earlier this year on obstruction of justice and mishandling classified documents charges.
Trump has criticized the investigations as politically motivated attempts to hinder his 2024 campaign. In his statement, he lamented this “sad and dark period for our Nation!” Trump is expected to address the latest developments during a town hall event hosted by Fox News in Iowa on Tuesday evening.
Republican lawmakers swiftly came to Trump’s defense, accusing the Department of Justice of a double standard in its treatment of Trump and Biden. Democrats, meanwhile, expressed their support for the ongoing investigations, emphasizing the need for accountability for those involved in the January 6 attack on the Capitol.
Former federal prosecutors familiar with similar cases interpreted the target letter as confirmation that Trump will face criminal charges from the Department of Justice. The letter signifies that prosecutors have substantial evidence linking him to the commission of a crime and intend to indict him.
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