Special Council Jack Smith's office informed former President Donald Trump that he is the target of an investigation into his efforts to overturn the 2020 election. All while a federal judge in Florida sets a trial date on charges he mishandled classified documents.
Category
🗞
NewsTranscript
00:00 Now on to the looming possible third indictment of Donald Trump.
00:04 Special Counsel Jack Smith's office informing the former president that he's the target
00:08 of an investigation into his efforts to overturn the 2020 election.
00:13 All while a federal judge in Florida sets a trial date on charges he mishandled classified
00:17 documents.
00:18 ABC's Ike Adjachi is in Washington with more.
00:23 Prosecutors with Special Counsel Jack Smith's office seen arriving at the federal courthouse
00:27 in Washington, D.C. Thursday as the grand jury investigating former President Trump's
00:32 efforts to overturn the 2020 election continues its work.
00:36 The grand jury heard testimony from William Russell, a former White House aide who now
00:40 works for Trump's presidential campaign.
00:43 On Sunday, Special Counsel Jack Smith informing Trump by letter that he's a target in his
00:48 investigation, writing that an indictment could be imminent.
00:51 He was given until Friday to testify before the grand jury, which he did not do.
00:56 The grand jury not meeting Friday.
00:58 Sources tell ABC News that the target letter mentioned three federal crimes Trump could
01:02 be charged with.
01:04 Conspiracy to commit an offense against or to defraud the United States, obstruction
01:09 of an official proceeding, and conspiracy to deprive people of rights.
01:13 All this as a Florida federal judge thwarts Trump's efforts to indefinitely delay his
01:17 classified documents trial.
01:19 Judge Eileen Cannon scheduling this trial for May 20th, a compromise date later than
01:24 prosecutors had sought, but sooner than Trump wanted.
01:27 Judge Cannon says the prosecution's request for a December trial was too soon, given the
01:32 complexity of the case and the massive amount of evidence.
01:35 Analysts say now the focus turns to jury selection.
01:38 This is in the state of Florida, which is pretty heavily Republican leaning.
01:42 It's really important probably for the prosecution not to have someone who just believes in Donald
01:47 Trump period, regardless of the facts, because the facts, at least as we know publicly, are
01:51 pretty strong for the government.
01:54 Trump's campaign called the trial date a setback for the DOJ, saying it will give Trump's legal
01:59 team time to fight.
02:00 In the meantime, Trump prepares for two other unrelated trials through next year.
02:05 Aik Adjaji, ABC News, Washington.