The Department of Justice is gearing up to indict former Pres. Trump over his efforts to overturn the 2020 election.
What's happening? Trump on Tue. revealed that he had received a "target letter" from the DOJ notifying him of a probe.
What is a "target letter?" Per USA Today, it's a "document sent by prosecutors to people under investigation."
According to the DOJ, a "target" is "a person [who] the prosecutor...has substantial evidence linking [them] to a crime."
Trump said on Truth Social Tue. that he received the target letter from Special Counsel Jack Smith on Sun. night.
Trump: "[I have] 4 days to report to the grand Jury, which almost always means an Arrest and indictment." (Truth Social)
What does this mean? It means that Trump could get indicted by the DOJ as soon as this week. (Independent)
What are the potential charges? Per a legal memo published Thu., Trump could face charges under 18 U.S.C. § 371. (The Hill)
18 U.S.C. § 371 "prohibits conspiracies to defraud the United States in the administration of elections." (The Hill)
Several GOP state party leaders testified to the House last year that Trump called them to decertify electors.
Arizona House Speaker Rusty Bowers said Trump approached him with a plot to replace Biden's electors with Trump's electors.
Bowers wasn't alone: former Michigan Republican Party chair Laura Cox also testified that she was approached by Trump.
News of the DOJ's letter sparked a range of reactions Tue.. Here's what Rep. Jamie Raskin told reporters:
2024 GOP candidate Nikki Haley told Fox News Tue. that the target letter was a sign that the party needed a new leader.