The Justice Department sent Congress a section of special counsel Jack Smith’s report, summarizing an investigation into former President Donald Trump’s efforts to retain power after losing the 2020 election to Joe Biden, leading to the Jan. 6 attack on the Capitol. The report, obtained by NBC News, defends the decision to charge Trump. The report states that Trump knowingly spread false claims about election fraud and lost the election. Smith’s report concludes a chapter in history where a former president was indicted but then re-elected. Trump tried to keep the report secret, but it was released despite his efforts. Smith also authored a second volume of the report on classified document charges against Trump, not released due to pending charges against co-defendants.
The report led to federal charges against Trump for conspiracy and obstruction related to Jan. 6, though the charges were dropped upon his re-election. Trump, who was separately convicted of felonies in the past, denied wrongdoing regarding the 2020 election. The delay strategy by his legal team allowed him to avoid trial and run for president again in 2024. Trump is reportedly preparing to pardon Jan. 6 defendants, including those charged with violence against police. Vice President-elect JD Vance stated violent offenders should not be pardoned, while some Jan. 6 defendants have already completed their sentences. Trump reportedly called the mother of a deceased Jan. 6 rioter, telling defendants to “keep their chins up.” This story is developing, with potential updates to follow.
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