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Donald Trump's trials and investigations

Former US president Donald Trump has been indicted in four different investigations: two by Department of Justice Special Counsel Jack Smith, one by the state of New York and one by the state of Georgia. The first federal case concerned Trump's handling of classified documents and the second his alleged attempt to remain in power after losing the 2020 presidential election. The New York case centres around alleged hush money payments to porn star Stormy Daniels. And in Georgia, Trump and 18 others have been charged with trying to reverse the results of the 2020 election. He has also been sued - along with his adult sons and their company - in a civil action by New York Attorney General Letitia James, who accuses them of fraudulently inflating Trump's net worth by billions of dollars.

Former US special counsel Jack Smith being sworn in before he testifies. Photo: AFP

United States

Former US special counsel testifies to Trump’s ‘criminal’ election plot

Jack Smith testifies before a Republican-led House panel and asserts that Donald Trump ‘wilfully broke’ laws in a bid to keep power.

23 Jan 2026 - 1:39PM

Donald Trump's trials and investigations

Former US special counsel testifies to Trump’s ‘criminal’ election plot

Jack Smith testifies before a Republican-led House panel and asserts that Donald Trump ‘wilfully broke’ laws in a bid to keep power.

Jack Smith says his team had ‘proof beyond a reasonable doubt’ against Trump

US Justice Department fails again to reindict Letitia James, in blow to Trump

Trump interference in Honduran election stokes division, voters say

Trump endorsed the conservative candidate and then announced the pardon of an ex-president sentenced to 45 years in a US prison for cocaine smuggling.

New prosecutor drops charges against Trump in Georgia election fraud case

Pete Skandalakis took over from Fani Willis, who was removed over a romantic relationship she had with the special prosecutor she hired.

Trump gets another shot at erasing his hush money conviction

The US president was accused of covering up US$130,000 in payments to porn star Stormy Daniels, and was found guilty by a New York jury.

US court says judge too slow deciding on Jack Smith’s Trump report

The fight over the Smith report is one of the last unresolved elements of the special counsel’s defunct criminal cases against Trump.

Trump foe Letitia James pleads not guilty to mortgage fraud charges

The New York attorney general says the US president is using the justice system as a ‘tool of revenge’.

Trump says US Justice Department may owe him ‘a lot of money’ over probes

The US president is reportedly seeking US$230 million in compensation, but added he would not personally retain any settlement.

Letitia James, NY attorney general and Trump foe, indicted for bank fraud

James had brought a civil fraud case against Trump, resulting in a US$454.2 million penalty that was later thrown out on appeal.

Charlie Kirk killing: Trump’s FBI chief faces scrutiny over manhunt blunder

By prematurely declaring the suspect was in custody, Patel further damaged his credibility, which was already undermined by the Epstein case.

Trump loses appeal, must pay E. Jean Carroll US$83.3 million in defamation case

Judges rejected Trump’s claim that the Supreme Court’s expansion of presidential immunity should shield him from liability.

Missouri prepares to redraw electoral maps, as Trump pushes to retain US House

The state is joining Texas and California as Republicans and Democrats battle for extra seats in next year’s midterm polls.

Trump ran on a promise of revenge. He’s making good on it

Ex-national security adviser John Bolton, who called the administration the ‘retribution presidency’, became the latest target this week.

Trump claims ‘total victory’ as US court quashes US$464 million civil penalty

The decision was splintered, with some judges saying Trump should be held liable while others called for a new trial or even dismissal.

Officials investigate ex-Trump prosecutor for alleged illegal political activity

Jack Smith is accused of violating the Hatch Act, a law that bans certain public officials from engaging in political activity.

Trump’s voter fraud claims fuel fresh push for access to election data: report

Trump has long raised doubts about the electoral system, and continues to falsely assert his 2020 election loss to Joe Biden was due to fraud.

FBI opens criminal investigation into Trump legal foe Letitia James

The New York attorney general, who brought a lawsuit against Trump in 2022, is facing allegations of mortgage fraud.

Trump blasts foes and media in speech at US ‘Department of Injustice’

The US president vowed to investigate political enemies and called news outlets that criticise him ‘corrupt’ and ‘illegal’.

US Justice Department fires FBI leaders, starts probe into agents

The move comes as President Donald Trump seeks to reshape the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

FBI agents involved in Trump investigations about to be fired, insiders say

Such terminations would reflect the US president’s determination to bend the law enforcement and intelligence community to his will.

US drops classified documents case against Trump co-defendants

Valet Walt Nauta and property manager Carlos De Oliveira had been charged alongside Trump over files found at Mar-a-Lago.

US Justice Department says it has fired employees involved in Trump prosecutions

Abrupt action reflects administration’s determination to purge government of staff it perceives as disloyal to the US president.

Trump’s official portrait released – and it looks like his mugshot

Unlike his smiling photo from his first term, Trump is seen glaring at the camera like he does in the image taken at Fulton County Jail.

Jack Smith report says Trump would have been convicted over 2020 US election

US Justice Department released its report on allegations that Donald Trump illegally conspired to overturn the 2020 election.

US judge allows release of report on Trump’s 2020 election case

Federal judge permits release of Jack Smith’s report, but injunction delays immediate disclosure.

Trump prosecutor Jack Smith resigns from US Justice Department

The special counsel says he has completed his work and submitted his final confidential report on the cases against the US president-elect.

As a felon, Trump can vote but can’t own gun, has to turn over DNA

The US president-elect won’t have to go to jail for his hush money conviction, but his criminal record will affect some of his rights.