WASHINGTON: Donald Trump allegedly conspired with six other allies in his failed bid to overturn the results of the 2020 U.S. presidential election, according to an indictment of the former president made public on Tuesday.
The six alleged co-conspirators are not named in the indictment and have not been charged by U.S. Special Counsel Jack Smith, who has been investigating Trump for his efforts to undo his 2020 election loss.
But the detailed descriptions of the actions of the six people closely track with publicly available knowledge of some Trump associates, who have all previously denied wrongdoing. Several media reports have identified co-conspirators based on the descriptions in the indictment.
POSSIBLE CO-CONSPIRATOR NO. 1: RUDY GIULIANI
The former New York City mayor and Trump's former personal attorney has faced legal issues since working on Trump's efforts to overturn the 2020 election.
Giuliani argued in federal court for Trump in an unsuccessful legal challenge to Pennsylvania ballots. He also played a prominent public role in pushing theories of widespread fraud in the 2020 election.
He spoke at an event outside the White House on Jan. 6, 2021, alleging widespread election fraud ahead of the siege on the U.S. Capitol by Trump supporters.
The indictment describes someone with similar characteristics: "An attorney who was willing to spread knowingly false claims and pursue strategies that the defendant's 2020 re-election campaign attorneys would not."
Giuliani's law license has been suspended in New York and a Washington, D.C., attorney ethics committee last month recommended he be disbarred there.
Giuliani recently met voluntarily with prosecutors in Smith's office to answer their questions.
"Any allegations that Mayor Giuliani knowingly uttered false statements is emphatically denied," his attorney Robert Costello told Reuters.
"Every statement that Mayor Giuliani made was truthful and expressing his beliefs. He believed there was proof of election fraud, and I have seen the affidavits that back that up."
POSSIBLE CO-CONSPIRATOR NO. 2: JOHN EASTMAN
John Eastman represented Trump in a long-shot lawsuit to overturn voting results in four states. The former Chapman University law professor has been under scrutiny by both Smith's office and Georgia prosecutors for penning a series of legal memos which claimed that former Vice President Mike Pence could reject electors from certain states to deny Democrat Joe Biden a majority of Electoral College vote.
His phone was seized by federal agents investigating his conduct in 2022.
The indictment describes someone with similar characteristics: An "attorney who devised and attempted to implement a strategy to leverage the Vice President’s ceremonial role overseeing the certification proceeding to obstruct the certification of the presidential election."
An attorney for Eastman recently told NBC News his legal team was sending a letter to federal and state prosecutors in a bid to convince them not to bring charges against their client.
Eastman is separately facing possible disbarment in California, after the state bar accused him of misleading courts and making false public statements about voter fraud. He has denied any misconduct.
John Eastman's attorney Charles Burnham said that the indictment "relies on a misleading presentation of the record to contrive criminal charges against presidential candidate Trump and to cast ominous aspersions on his close advisors."
POSSIBLE CO-CONSPIRATOR NO. 3: SIDNEY POWELL
Sidney Powell played a leading role in promoting Trump's false fraud claims. She was part of a legal team that filed unsuccessful lawsuits seeking to overturn election results, and was sanctioned by a Michigan judge in one of those cases.
Powell has since been sued for defamation by the voting companies Dominion Voting Systems and Smartmatic over false claims she made about them rigging the 2020 election against Trump. She has denied that her statements were defamatory.
Texas bar officials also brought ethics charges against Powell in 2021. A state judge dismissed the case in March, saying there were "numerous defects" in the evidence. The state bar is appealing that ruling.
Tuesday's indictment describes someone with similar characteristics, noting that Trump privately told others that baseless election fraud claims by this co-conspirator "sounded crazy," but that he still “embraced and publicly amplified” the allegations.
Powell could not be immediately reached for comment.
POSSIBLE CO-CONSPIRATOR NO. 4: JEFFREY BOSSERT CLARK
Jeffrey Clark is a former high-ranking Justice Department official who has been under investigation by federal prosecutors for his efforts to overturn the results of the 2020 election.
In the waning days of the Trump administration, Clark tried to convince Trump to oust Acting Attorney General Jeffrey Rosen so that he could take over the department and help pursue Trump's baseless claims by opening an investigation into voter fraud in Georgia and other swing states.
Trump ultimately declined to fire Rosen and appoint Clark, after other top Justice Department officials threatened to resign in protest.
Federal agents investigating Clark's conduct seized his phone and searched his home in June of 2022. The D.C. Bar's disciplinary arm has since filed ethics charges against Clark for trying to pressure Justice Department officials to send a letter to lawmakers in Georgia echoing Trump's bogus claims of voting fraud.
The indictment describes someone with similar characteristics, who "attempted to use the Justice Department to open sham election fraud investigations."
The indictment also directly cites handwritten notes that former acting Deputy Attorney General Rich Donoghue kept to document both Clark's conduct and conversations with Trump.
Neither Clark nor his attorney responded to a request for comment. Clark has fought the ethics charges against him.
POSSIBLE CO-CONSPIRATOR NO. 5: KENNETH CHESEBRO
Kenneth Chesebro is an attorney who allegedly helped devise a plan to submit fake slates of electors for Trump to obstruct Congress’s certification of the election results.
Prosecutors describe someone who acted similarly, who helped the Trump campaign with a recount in Wisconsin and drafted a legal memo that “evolved over time from a legal strategy to preserve the Defendant's rights to a corrupt plan to subvert the federal government function by stopping Biden electors votes from being counted and certified.”
Under that theory, Pence would be able to appoint alternate slates of electors to help Trump win the election, overturning Biden’s victory.
Cheseboro could not be immediately reached for comment. He has previously defended his work with the Trump campaign.
CO-CONSPIRATOR NO. 6
A sixth unnamed co-conspirator is described in the indictment as being “a political consultant who helped implement a plan to submit fraudulent slates of presidential electors to obstruct the certification proceeding.”
That description did not clearly line up with Trump's highest-profile supporters.
According to Tuesday’s indictment, the political consultant identified attorneys who could help carry out a scheme to present fake electors to Congress as lawmakers certified the election results.
ALSO READ - Trump faces federal charges for efforts to overturn 2020 election
Reuters
Wed Aug 02 2023
![EXPLAINER - Who allegedly conspired with Trump to overturn the 2020 election? EXPLAINER - Who allegedly conspired with Trump to overturn the 2020 election?](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2023-06/81686739553_Trump.jpg)
Donald Trump allegedly conspired with six other allies in his failed bid to overturn the results of the 2020 US presidential election. - REUTERS/Filepic
Tumpuan Isnin – 08 Julai 2024
Ikuti rangkuman berita utama yang menjadi tumpuan di Astro AWANI.
'Jeff' dinobat siput terpantas dunia, menang Kejohanan Dunia Lumba Siput
Tahun ini, siput bernama Jeff dinobatkan sebagai pemenang, menang saingan akhir dengan masa 4 minit dan 3 saat. Begitupun, kepantasan Jeff tidak dapat memadam rekod yang dibuat pada tahun 1995 oleh seekor siput bernama Archie.
![Pentadbiran Prabowo-Gibran dijangka perkukuh industri sawit Indonesia Pentadbiran Prabowo-Gibran dijangka perkukuh industri sawit Indonesia](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-07/81720368598_TBPrabowo.jpg)
Pentadbiran Prabowo-Gibran dijangka perkukuh industri sawit Indonesia
Kerajaan baharu yang akan dipimpin oleh Prabowo Subianto-Gibran Rakabuming Raka dijangka memperkukuh daya saing produk minyak sawit sebagai komoditi strategik untuk pasaran domestik dan antarabangsa.
![Kanak-kanak lelaki maut selepas terjatuh ke dalam tasik Kanak-kanak lelaki maut selepas terjatuh ke dalam tasik](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-01/61706067730_TBgarisanpolis.jpg)
Kanak-kanak lelaki maut selepas terjatuh ke dalam tasik
Seorang kanak-kanak lelaki berusia sembilan tahun maut selepas terjatuh ke dalam tasik dipercayai ketika sedang mencari lokan di Taman Tasik Teratai Fasa 2 Serendah, Hulu Selangor.
Ribuan umat Islam zahir solidariti kepada Palestin di Shah Alam
Bertemakan Gaza Bangkit, program pada Ahad malam itu turut mengundang pendakwah dari Indonesia, Ustaz Abdul Somad Batubara untuk menyampaikan ceramah.
NGO, belia perlu ambil iktibar peristiwa hijrah - PM
Perdana Menteri, Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim menyeru pertubuhan bukan kerajaan dan gerakan belia mengambil iktibar daripada peristiwa Hijrah Nabi Muhammad SAW untuk mengembalikan kegemilangan negara.
Kehadiran ATM di Timur Sabah berikan keyakinan masyarakat setempat
Kehadiran pasukan Angkatan Tentera Malaysia (ATM) di Timur Sabah meningkatkan keyakinan masyarakat setempat serta merancakkan lagi pembangunan sektor pelancongan, ekonomi dan sosial di kawasan itu.
![Berita tempatan pilihan sepanjang hari ini Berita tempatan pilihan sepanjang hari ini](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2023-12/61703329565_TBBERITAx.jpg)
Berita tempatan pilihan sepanjang hari ini
Berikut adalah berita yang paling menjadi tumpuan sepanjang Ahad, 7 Julai 2024.
![Berita antarabangsa pilihan sepanjang hari ini Berita antarabangsa pilihan sepanjang hari ini](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-03/71709993909_TBBERITAx.jpg)
Berita antarabangsa pilihan sepanjang hari ini
Berikut adalah yang paling menjadi tumpuan sepanjang Ahad, 7 Julai 2024.
Enam cedera hari pertama Festival Larian Lembu di Sepanyol
Meskipun ada yang cedera, acara tersebut sentiasa mendapat perhatian dan tahun ini, ratusan orang mengejar enam ekor lembu jantan di bandar itu.
![Debat buruk 'salah saya sendiri' - Biden Debat buruk 'salah saya sendiri' - Biden](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-07/61720268690_JoeBiden.jpg)
Debat buruk 'salah saya sendiri' - Biden
Joe Biden mengambil tanggungjawab penuh atas prestasi debatnya yang buruk menentang pencabarnya dengan mengatakan bahawa persembahan buruknya adalah "salah saya sendiri".
![Biden isytihar kekal dalam pertandingan, yakin mampu kalahkan Trump Biden isytihar kekal dalam pertandingan, yakin mampu kalahkan Trump](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-05/61714836562_Bidenjpg.jpg)
Biden isytihar "kekal dalam pertandingan", yakin mampu kalahkan Trump
Presiden Amerika Syarikat Joe Biden menegaskan bahawa beliau tidak akan menarik diri daripada bertanding untuk penggal kedua.
![Biden rancang lebih banyak tidur, tiada lagi acara selepas 8 malam Biden rancang lebih banyak tidur, tiada lagi acara selepas 8 malam](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-05/71716240052_TBJoeBiden.jpg)
Biden rancang lebih banyak tidur, tiada lagi acara selepas 8 malam
Presiden Joe Biden beritahu Demokrat beliau perlukan lebih banyak tidur dan rancang untuk tidak hadir mana-mana acara selepas 8 malam.
![Pilihan Raya Presiden AS: Biden tidak akan tarik diri - White House Pilihan Raya Presiden AS: Biden tidak akan tarik diri - White House](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-05/71715722165_PresidentJoeBiden.jpg)
Pilihan Raya Presiden AS: Biden tidak akan tarik diri - White House
Setiausaha Akhbar White House menegaskan Biden "sama sekali tidak" pertimbang untuk berundur daripada bertanding pada Piihan Raya Presiden.
![Kempen Biden catat rekod kutip AS$38 juta dalam 4 hari selepas debat - Laporan Kempen Biden catat rekod kutip AS$38 juta dalam 4 hari selepas debat - Laporan](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-07/51719800495_JoeBiden.jpg)
Kempen Biden catat rekod kutip AS$38 juta dalam 4 hari selepas debat - Laporan
Kempen pemilihan semula Presiden AS, Joe Biden catat rekod dengan mengumpulkan AS$38 juta (RM180 juta) dalam empat hari sejak debat presiden pertama.
![Trump boleh tuntut kekebalan pendakwaan untuk tindakan rasmi - Mahkamah Agung AS Trump boleh tuntut kekebalan pendakwaan untuk tindakan rasmi - Mahkamah Agung AS](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-05/61714543650_DonaldTrump.jpg)
Trump boleh tuntut kekebalan pendakwaan untuk tindakan rasmi - Mahkamah Agung AS
Di bawah struktur Perlembagaan yang memisahkan kuasa, sifat kuasa Presiden memberikan bekas Presiden kekebalan mutlak daripada pendakwaan jenayah.
![Prestasi lemah debat dengan Trump, ahli parti Demokrat persoal kemampuan Biden Prestasi lemah debat dengan Trump, ahli parti Demokrat persoal kemampuan Biden](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-06/71719671359_TBKamalaHarris.jpg)
Prestasi lemah debat dengan Trump, ahli parti Demokrat persoal kemampuan Biden
Beberapa ahli Parti Demokrat secara terbuka mempersoalkan sama ada Biden sepatutnya digantikan dengan calon lain dari parti itu dalam pilihan raya 2024.
![Berita antarabangsa pilihan sepanjang hari ini Berita antarabangsa pilihan sepanjang hari ini](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-03/71709993909_TBBERITAx.jpg)
Berita antarabangsa pilihan sepanjang hari ini
Antara pelbagai berita luar negara yang disiarkan di Astro AWANI, berikut adalah antara yang paling menjadi tumpuan sepanjang hari ini.
![Pentadbiran Biden sangat teruk, paling buruk dalam sejarah - Trump Pentadbiran Biden sangat teruk, paling buruk dalam sejarah - Trump](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-06/81719543625_Presidentialdebate.jpg)
Pentadbiran Biden sangat teruk, paling buruk dalam sejarah - Trump
Trump menegaskan bahawa di bawah pentadbirannya, ekonomi negara mencapai prestasi terbaik, dengan banyak negara mengagumi kejayaan tersebut.
![Debat Biden-Trump: Mikrofon lawan ditutup ketika hujah dimulakan, tiada penonton di studio Debat Biden-Trump: Mikrofon lawan ditutup ketika hujah dimulakan, tiada penonton di studio](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-06/81719532886_trumpbiden.jpg)
Debat Biden-Trump: Mikrofon lawan ditutup ketika hujah dimulakan, tiada penonton di studio
Ia acara penting untuk dua calon ini menyampaikan manifesto kempen masing-masing, menjelang lima bulan sebelum pilihan raya presiden AS.