Written By Lisa Murimi
US prosecutors have revised charges against former President Donald Trump in connection with his alleged attempts to interfere in the 2020 election, after his loss to Joe Biden.Â
The changes come in response to a recent US Supreme Court ruling that grants presidents broad immunity from criminal prosecution for official acts performed while in office.
The updated indictment, presented by Special Counsel Jack Smith, maintains the same four criminal counts against Trump—conspiracy to defraud the US, conspiracy to obstruct an official proceeding, attempting to obstruct an official proceeding, and conspiracy against rights.
However, these charges now specifically relate to Trump’s actions as a political candidate rather than as a sitting president.
Trump, who has denied all charges and continues to claim widespread voter fraud in the 2020 election without evidence, reacted strongly to the new indictment.
In a post on Truth Social, he described it as “an effort to resurrect a ‘dead’ Witch Hunt” and called for its immediate dismissal.
Legal experts note that the revised charges are aligned with the Supreme Court’s ruling but are uncertain whether the case will proceed before the upcoming election on November 5, 2024.
Trump’s legal team has indicated they may seek additional time to prepare, potentially delaying the trial further.
