Explainer | What election interference charges does Donald Trump face?
- Charges are the most serious legal threat yet to the former president as he campaigns to return to the White House
- It is the third criminal indictment since March and charges Trump with three counts of conspiracy and one count of obstruction
Here is a look at the federal charges and how Trump might defend himself.
Conspiracy to defraud the US
This is a very broad law that covers attempts by one or more people to defraud the federal government by “any manner or for any purpose”. Prosecutors routinely use it in cases where they can construe harm to the federal government.
The indictment alleges that the government would have been a victim of fraud if Trump and at least six co-conspirators succeeded in overturning the election results on false pretences.
The co-conspirators do not necessarily need to have common knowledge of what each is doing and only need to be united by a general, common purpose.
Prosecutors will need to prove that Trump took at least one “overt act”, or clear step taken to advance a criminal scheme, legal experts said.