Is a Donald Trump indictment imminent?
One report in a British newspaper has gone further than most other outlets, in reporting that prosecutors could ask a grand jury to hand down an indictment as soon as Thursday.
Donald Trump and the Legal Drama
A great deal of reporting in the last few weeks has indicated that an indictment is likely for Donald Trump, in the case involving his handling of classified documents.
Now, one report has gone further than most.
The British newspaper The Independent reported Wednesday that the Department of Justice is prepared to ask a grand jury, possibly as soon as Thursday, to indict the former president. However, the vote could be delayed until next week.
The indictments, the Independent report said, will accuse Trump of violating the Espionage Act and obstruction of justice. In addition, Trump is expected to be indicted under Section 793, which entails “gathering, transmitting or losing” any “information respecting the national defence.”
The reported possible vote concerns the grand jury in Washington, which according to previous reports is scheduled to meet this week, for the first time in several weeks.
This is separate from the other grand jury, meeting in Miami. That was convened, per the newspaper, to “overcome legal issues posed by the fact that some of the crimes allegedly committed by Mr Trump took place in that jurisdiction, not in Washington.” The Independent also said that even if the grand jury votes to indict this week, the indictment will likely remain sealed until both grand juries finish their work.
The Independent reported that Trump has been told that he is a “target” of the Justice Department investigation, reporting that has been corroborated by NBC News.
“Trump tells me minutes ago he has NOT been told he’s getting indicted, when contacted,” New York Times reporter and Trump biographer Maggie Haberman said on Twitter Wednesday. “‘It’s not true,’ he said, adding again he hasn’t done anything wrong.”
When Haberman asked if Trump has been told he is a target, “he demurred, saying he doesn’t talk directly to prosecutors.”
Reporter John Solomon, a longtime Trump loyalist, reported Wednesday for Just the News that Trump has been told he is a Target and likely to be indicted. Solomon reproted the existence of “ allegations of witness tampering submitted by the former president’s legal team.” The accusation, per Solomon, is that “a senior prosecutor working on the case tried to influence a key witness by discussing a federal judgeship with the witness’ lawyer.”
Trump tried to set the record straight on Truth Social, complete with lots of capital letters and a litany of all of the investigations he has faced.
“No one has told me I’m being indicted, and I shouldn’t be because I’ve done NOTHING wrong, but I have assumed for years that I am a Target of the WEAPONIZED DOJ & FBI, starting with the Russia, Russia, Russia HOAX, the “No Collusion” Mueller Report, Impeachment HOAX #1, Impeachment HOAX #2, the PERFECT Ukraine phone call, and various other SCAMS & WITCH HUNTS. A TRAVESTY OF JUSTICE & ELECTION INTERFERENCE AT A LEVEL NEVER SEEN BEFORE. REPUBLICANS IN CONGRESS MUST MAKE THIS THEIR # 1 ISSUE!!!,” the former president wrote.
The Independent also alleged something not previously reported- that former White House Chief of Staff Mark Meadows, who it was revealed earlier this week had testified before the grand jury, “has already given evidence before the grand jury and is said to be cooperating with the investigations into his former boss.” The report added that Meadows made a deal in which he received “limited immunity in exchange for his testimony.”
Meadows’ attorney, however, denied to the newspaper that Meadows had agreed to any plea, calling it ““complete bulls***.”
If Donald Trump is indicted, he will be the first former president of the United States to face federal criminal charges. Trump’s previous indictment, involving falsification of business records, was brought in New York state court.
Expertise and Experience: Stephen Silver is a Senior Editor for 19FortyFive. He is an award-winning journalist, essayist and film critic, who is also a contributor to the Philadelphia Inquirer, the Jewish Telegraphic Agency, Broad Street Review and Splice Today. The co-founder of the Philadelphia Film Critics Circle, Stephen lives in suburban Philadelphia with his wife and two sons. Follow him on Twitter at @StephenSilver.
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