Former US president charged for third time

Federal US prosecutors criminally charge former President Donald Trump over allegations of interference in the 2020 elections.
Indictment says Trump was spreading “lies” about fraud in the 2020 vote and knew his allegations were false.Charges do not bar Trump from presidency
US law does not disqualify people charged with a crime from running for president. Even if convicted, Trump can continue his campaign and serve in the White House should he win in 2024.

Still, court dates could interfere with Trump’s campaign schedule. But so far, he has seen a boost in popularity among Republicans since his first indictment in New York late in March.Democratic lawmakers react to Trump indictment
Democratic lawmakers and officials have responded to the third indictment of former President Trump by emphasising the seriousness of January 6 and stating that Trump’s status as a powerful political figure should not exempt him from legal accountability.

“The insurrection on January 6, 2021, was one of the saddest and most infamous days in American history, personally orchestrated by Donald Trump and fueled by his insidious Big Lie in an attempt to undermine the 2020 election,” Democratic Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries said in a statement.

“This indictment is the most serious and most consequential thus far and will stand as a stark reminder to generations of Americans that no one, including a president of the United States, is above the law.”

Senator Dick Durbin, the Democratic chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, said that “No man, not even a former President, is above the law. The anger and resentment Donald Trump stoked with his ‘Big Lie’ put the country a half step away from a constitutional crisis”.

The White House referred reporters to the Justice Department when asked about the indictment.

Attorney General Merrick Garland called January 6 an “attack on our democracy” and expressed confidence in the work of the prosecutors.Right-wing lawmaker renews calls to ‘defund’ prosecutor’s office
Right-wing Congressman Matt Gaetz has renewed calls to defund Special Counsel Smith’s office.

“DEFUND JACK SMITH’S WITCH HUNT AGAINST PRESIDENT TRUMP!” Gaetz wrote in a social media post, sharing a link to a bill he introduced in July that would “prohibit federal funding” to the top prosecutor’s office.

The measure has no chance of passing in the Democratic-controlled Senate.