Credited from: ABCNEWS
Key Takeaways from Jack Smith's Report:
In the recently released report by special counsel Jack Smith, it is made clear that evidence existed that could have led to criminal charges against President-elect Donald Trump for his attempts to overturn the outcomes of the 2020 election. Smith’s extensive investigation culminated in findings suggesting that Trump engaged in a multifaceted scheme including efforts to pressure state leaders, promote fraudulent electors, and eventually incite the violent attack on the U.S. Capitol on January 6, 2021.
Smith detailed that Trump’s claims of election fraud were not only unsubstantiated but were stated with the knowledge that they were false, as numerous officials within his administration had informed him of the lack of evidence to support his assertions.
“As we have noted, the Department's view that the Constitution prohibits the continued indictment and prosecution of a president while in office is categorical,” Smith elaborated. “Indeed, but for Mr. Trump's imminent return to the presidency, we believe that the admissible evidence was sufficient to obtain and sustain a conviction at trial,” he added, underscoring the importance of timing in the legal proceedings.
Throughout the report, Smith defended the integrity of his office against Trump's frequent accusations of political bias, claiming such allegations were “laughable” and asserting that his decisions were made independently from any influence from the Biden administration.
Despite dropping the charges following Trump’s election win, Smith clarified that this dismissal does not signify any form of exoneration, asserting that the allegations merit serious consideration and that significant misdeeds were committed in the process of attempting to retain power.
The full report stands as a testament to the investigations conducted into the former president’s actions and presents a window into an unprecedented chapter in American political history. For those seeking the original source of this report, you can find it from VOA News or The Guardian.