Prosecutors have accused former President Donald Trump of exceeding his presidential authority by pressuring state officials and then-Vice President Mike Pence to overturn the results of the 2020 election.
Final Chance for Prosecution
A newly released 165-page court filing, revealed Wednesday, provides more insight into Trump's actions after his loss to Joe Biden, as federal prosecutors continue to build their case.
This court document is considered one of the final chances for the prosecution to lay out their case against Trump before the November 2024 election, where Trump is expected to face Vice President Kamala Harris, according to Ziare.
Prosecutors working with special counsel Jack Smith have compiled a detailed account of Trump’s conduct after the election, much of which was already publicized through media reports and the House of Representatives investigation into the Capitol riot on January 6, 2021.
Pressure to Block Biden's Victory
One striking detail in the court filing highlights Trump telling his family that it didn’t matter whether he won or lost the election — he still needed to "fight like hell."
Trump pleaded not guilty to all four criminal charges related to the election, which include obstructing Congress' certification of the results and conspiracy to defraud the United States.
The document also sheds light on Trump’s pressure on Pence to block the certification of Biden’s victory.
Prosecutors noted that on January 1, 2021, Trump warned Pence that he would be "hated" if he didn’t act to block the certification. Trump’s heated rhetoric culminated in the infamous Capitol riot, where protesters chanted "hang Mike Pence."
