JUST IN: Trump Roars Ahead Of DC Arraignment: ‘I AM BEING ARRESTED FOR YOU’
Former President Donald J. Trump made a public statement via Truth Social, saying that his impending arrest is an act of honor on behalf of the American people.
Ahead of his appearance in a Washington, D.C. court for arraignment on charges related to his efforts to overturn the 2020 election, Trump expressed that the persecution against him is part of a larger issue in America.
Trump wrote: “I am now going to Washington, D.C., to be arrested for having challenged a corrupt, rigged, & stolen election. It is a great honor, because I am being arrested for you. Make America Great Again!”
Trump encapsulates an unyielding view that the indictments against him are politically motivated. He also posted, with evident sarcasm: “I NEED ONE MORE INDICTMENT TO ENSURE MY ELECTION!”
Trump is due to appear in a Washington, D.C. court today for arraignment on charges related to his alleged efforts to overturn the 2020 election results. The indictment and Trump’s forthcoming appearance in court have been at the center of a media storm. Many view the charges as a politically motivated attack.
BREAKING: Former Pres. Trump departs from Bedminster, New Jersey, ahead of his appearance in a Washington, D.C. court to be arraigned on charges related to efforts to overturn the 2020 election. https://t.co/vcPrSXRfpB pic.twitter.com/CeUUPxgViY
— ABC News (@ABC) August 3, 2023
Trump’s posts seem to always galvanize his supporters, many of whom view the charges against him as unjust. Rallies and demonstrations in support of Trump are expected to coincide with his court appearance, as many continue to believe in the election fraud of 2020.
Yesterday, Trump was indicted on four counts as part of the Special Counsel’s investigation into the January 6th Capitol riot, a historic legal development that deepens the controversy surrounding the events of that day.
The indictment charges Trump with:
- Count One: Conspiracy to Defraud the United States
- Count Two: Conspiracy to Obstruct an Official Proceeding
- Count Three: Obstruction of and Attempt to Obstruct an Official Proceeding
- Count Four: Conspiracy Against Rights
The 45-page document, now unsealed, was signed by Special Counsel Jack Smith and details the specific allegations against the former President.
The charges assert that Trump conspired to obstruct the counting of the Electoral College votes on January 6th, 2021. It implies that there was a concerted effort to hinder or disrupt the normal process of confirming the election results. Conspiracy Against Rights is a charge often used in civil rights cases. It alleges that Trump conspired to injure, oppress, threaten, or intimidate citizens in the free exercise of a right protected by the Constitution or U.S. law.
The indictment against Trump however does not include charges related to insurrection or seditious conspiracy. These specific charges would relate to actions aimed at overthrowing or rebelling against the government. Instead, the charges focus on conspiracy, obstruction, and infringement of voting rights. The absence of these charges means that the legal argument does not assert that Trump was actively trying to incite a rebellion or overthrow the government.
To this point, the U.S. Constitution does not specifically prohibit someone convicted of a felony from serving as President. Thus, even if Trump were convicted on these charges, he would not be constitutionally barred from running for or serving as President again.
If Trump were to win the 2024 Presidential Election, he would have the power to pardon himself for federal crimes. This is a debated legal issue, and no President has ever attempted to pardon himself, so it would likely lead to legal challenges and a potential Supreme Court decision.
If Trump were to lose the election and be convicted on these charges, he could face imprisonment. The legal process would continue independently of the election outcome, and a conviction could lead to serious legal penalties, including jail time.
The indictment outlines a high-stakes scenario for both Trump and the nation.
