- cross-posted to:
- news@lemmy.world
- cross-posted to:
- news@lemmy.world
Former President Donald Trump was indicted for an unprecedented third time on August 1, adding another set of serious federal charges to the mounting legal issues he faces.
Trump was indicted as part of the Department of Justice’s criminal investigation, led by special counsel Jack Smith, into the January 6, 2021 insurrection at the US Capitol. The indictment marks the second time Trump has faced federal charges, and he remains the only president to have been federally indicted.
The indictment is the product of a months-long investigation in which Smith’s team questioned several high-profile members of Trump’s circle, including his son-in-law Jared Kushner and former White House communications director Hope Hicks. It follows the House January 6th committee’s investigation last year, which concluded that Trump incited the insurrection and conspired to defraud the US government, referring him and other associates to the DOJ for prosecution.
Trump seemed to know the indictment was coming. He posted August 1 on TruthSocial that Smith “will be putting out yet another Fake Indictment of your Favorite President, me,” and previously posted on the platform that he’d received what’s known as a target letter from Smith. He wrote, “They have now effectively indicted me three times,” and called the investigation a “WITCH HUNT” as well as “POLITICAL WEAPONIZATION OF LAW ENFORCEMENT” in that earlier, July 18 post.
Trump pushed the big lie that the election was stolen. Trump lost in the courts[1](https://www.nytimes.com/2020/11/25/us/elections/trump-campaign-lawsuits.html) including the Supreme Court.[2](https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-55283024) Then he tried to pressure state officials.[3](https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/elections/2021/01/03/trump-pressured-georgia-election-official-call-washington-post-report-says/4119948001/) He tried to pressure Pence.[4](https://www.politico.com/news/2021/01/05/trump-pressures-pence-election-results-455069)
So what does he do after exhausting all nonviolent methods of overturning the election? He turns to his supporters and lights them up making inflammatory statements such as;
We are going to fight for the survival of the nation.
Now is not the time to retreat, its to fight harder.
We will never give in, never back down, never surrender.
We will fight like hell.
You have to get your people to fight.
He primed them for weeks.
State officials had started getting death threats weeks before the attempted insurrection following the general election.[5](https://www.npr.org/sections/biden-transition-updates/2020/12/01/940961602/someones-going-to-get-killed-ga-official-blasts-gop-silence-on-election-threats) Trump saw first hand what violence was being created as his supporters rioted and vandalized black churches in Washington back in December.[6](https://www.thestar.com/news/world/us/2020/12/13/black-churches-vandalized-four-stabbed-dozens-arrested-at-pro-trump-rallies-in-washington.html)
Trump didn’t stop his incitement after the initial violence, he got more specific. He told his supporters how, when, and where. He gave them 18 days notice inviting them to the rally telling them to be there, that it will be wild.[7](https://www.nytimes.com/2021/01/06/us/politics/capitol-mob-trump-supporters.html) And on the day of the insurrection Trump told his supporters to march on the Capitol and fight like hell.
Following the riot Trump continued to promote the big lie that had incited the insurrection. After the mob was dispersed, Trump praised and sympathized with the mob in a video he released, claiming once again that the election had been stolen.[8](https://www.wsj.com/articles/trump-tells-rioters-i-know-how-you-feel-draws-bipartisan-condemnation-11609977209) Then he praised the insurrection in a tweet after the mob had been dispersed. He told his mob to remember Jan. 6 forever. He said that he loved the insurrectionists and that the violent mob were special people.
New York Times - Over 30 Trump Campaign Lawsuits Have Failed. Some Rulings Are Scathing.
BBC - US Supreme Court rejects Trump-backed bid to overturn election
USA Today - Trump is heard on audiotape pressuring Georgia secretary of state to ‘find’ votes to overturn Biden’s win
Politico - Trump pressures Pence to throw out election results — even though he can’t
NPR - ‘Someone’s Going To Get Killed’: Georgia Republican Official Blasts GOP Silence On Election Threats
Toronto Star - Black churches vandalized, four stabbed, dozens arrested at pro-Trump rallies in Washington
New York Times - 'Be There. Will Be Wild!’: Trump All but Circled the Date: Inside Trump supporters’ online echo chambers, the chaos of Jan. 6 could be seen coming. People posted their plans to come to Washington — and showed the weapons they would carry.
Wall Street Journal - Trump Tells Rioters, ‘I Know How You Feel,’ Draws Bipartisan Condemnation
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I absolutely LOVE that PoppinKREAM is on the fediverse too. We don’t deserve you, my dude, but we’re glad you’re here.
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u/schnoodledoodledoo please
I still haven’t gotten my poem so I would really welcome u/poem_for_your_sprog. If I comment enough I’ll get one eventually, right?
Poppinkream is a woman if I’m not mistaken!
You might be. I don’t think anyone knows except the KREAM themselves.
Knowledge Rules Everything Around Me
It doesn’t matter either way. Let the legend be themselves. As a wo/man they can be corruptable. But as a KREAM they can be something more
Yes, pretty sure this was revealed over on that other site
Pretend like I know who that is but explain who it is as if I didn’t know, please
It’s the person who left the comment above the one you commented on.
But seriously though they tend to leave really good comments with links to valid sources. Great to see them here adding that kind of good info to discussions.
In a phone call, Trump tried to pressure officials in Georgia into making tens thousands of votes disappear to try and steal the 2020 election. They found no illegal votes, refused to overturn the results and began receiving death threats from Trump’s supporters.[1](https://www.bbc.com/news/election-us-2020-55153918)
After Trump had exhausted all legal forms of overturning the election; From having over 60 frivolous lawsuits thrown out from all levels of courts including the conservative leaning Supreme Court (Trump picked 3 justices out of 9), after his Attorney General Barr resigned (an individual that covered/stalled investigations for Trump), Trump turned to his stalwart supporter in Vice-President Pence. A lie was pushed that Mike Pence could refuse to certify the election results as he presided over the counting of the ballots of the electoral college during the joint session of Congress on Jan. 6. Pence refused this illegal power grab. Having no further recourse Trump and his minions incited an insurrection during a rally Trump held at the same time the E.C. ballots were being certified. Trump’s supporters erected a gallows, stormed the capital where several people subsequently lost their lives including police officers. Politicians were incredibly lucky they escaped. For example Capitol Police Officer Goodman’s quick and heroic decision to lead an angry mob away from where congressionable members were hiding probably saved many lives. This mob was chanting hang Mike Pence, many of whom wore tactical gear, carried zip ties used, and used flagpoles, fire extinguishers, and chemical sprays as weapons while attacking those that protected Congress.[2](https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2021/feb/07/mike-pence-donald-trump-republicans-religion-evangelical)
BBC - Trump inciting violence, warns Georgia election official
The Guardian - The martyrdom of Mike Pence
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Oh shit! PoppinKREAM is on Lemmy! Fuck ya!
Good to see you here @PoppinKREAM@sh.itjust.works !
Didn’t see the username, still knew instinctively who posted it.
Poppinkream living the dream, great to see you make an appearance on here
It’s been a long 7 years of FA. We’re finally getting to the FO stage. Couldn’t have happened to a better former 1 term president.
I won’t consider this FO until he faces real consequences.
True, and I fear more violence on the horizon as Trump’s violent rhetoric ramps up at his campaign rallies.
I know patience is required, but FO is the best part. I have special popcorn for this.
The myth! The legend! Happy to see you here, PK!! Great info as usual :)
Edit: something is wacky so apologies if this showed up twice. I tried to delete one but not sure if it worked.
Holy shit @PoppinKREAM - glad to see your work here! You have my award for best citizen journalist to ever post on Reddit. Welcome to the Fediverse!
What a pleasure it is to see you over here.
What made Reddit so special were dedicated users like you. Glad you’re on the fediverse. I love the vibe of this place. It reminds me of 2011 Reddit.
Hadn’t looked at the user name and thought, “This looks like a PoppinKREAM post.”
You’re here! PoppinKREAM in the digital flesh!!!
Feels good, don’t it? 😎
I’m so glad to see you on here. Keep up the great work!
🥇
We’re not worthy. Love d 💕 your post on Reddit. Welcome to the Fediverse!
So glad to see that you’ve landed here with the rest of us. Your posts are always detailed and informative and a welcome addition to any discussion.
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