this post was submitted on 01 Aug 2023
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Former President Donald Trump was indicted for an unprecedented third time on August 1, adding another set of serious federal charges to the mounting legal issues he faces.

Trump was indicted as part of the Department of Justice’s criminal investigation, led by special counsel Jack Smith, into the January 6, 2021 insurrection at the US Capitol. The indictment marks the second time Trump has faced federal charges, and he remains the only president to have been federally indicted.

The indictment is the product of a months-long investigation in which Smith’s team questioned several high-profile members of Trump’s circle, including his son-in-law Jared Kushner and former White House communications director Hope Hicks. It follows the House January 6th committee’s investigation last year, which concluded that Trump incited the insurrection and conspired to defraud the US government, referring him and other associates to the DOJ for prosecution.

Trump seemed to know the indictment was coming. He posted August 1 on TruthSocial that Smith “will be putting out yet another Fake Indictment of your Favorite President, me,” and previously posted on the platform that he’d received what’s known as a target letter from Smith. He wrote, “They have now effectively indicted me three times,” and called the investigation a “WITCH HUNT” as well as “POLITICAL WEAPONIZATION OF LAW ENFORCEMENT” in that earlier, July 18 post.

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[–] [email protected] 78 points 1 year ago (14 children)

Trump pushed the big lie that the election was stolen. Trump lost in the courts^[1] including the Supreme Court.^[2] Then he tried to pressure state officials.^[3] He tried to pressure Pence.^[4]

So what does he do after exhausting all nonviolent methods of overturning the election? He turns to his supporters and lights them up making inflammatory statements such as;

  • We are going to fight for the survival of the nation.

  • Now is not the time to retreat, its to fight harder.

  • We will never give in, never back down, never surrender.

  • We will fight like hell.

  • You have to get your people to fight.

He primed them for weeks.

State officials had started getting death threats weeks before the attempted insurrection following the general election.^[5] Trump saw first hand what violence was being created as his supporters rioted and vandalized black churches in Washington back in December.^[6]

Trump didn't stop his incitement after the initial violence, he got more specific. He told his supporters how, when, and where. He gave them 18 days notice inviting them to the rally telling them to be there, that it will be wild.^[7] And on the day of the insurrection Trump told his supporters to march on the Capitol and fight like hell.

Following the riot Trump continued to promote the big lie that had incited the insurrection. After the mob was dispersed, Trump praised and sympathized with the mob in a video he released, claiming once again that the election had been stolen.^[8] Then he praised the insurrection in a tweet after the mob had been dispersed. He told his mob to remember Jan. 6 forever. He said that he loved the insurrectionists and that the violent mob were special people.


  1. New York Times - Over 30 Trump Campaign Lawsuits Have Failed. Some Rulings Are Scathing.

  2. BBC - US Supreme Court rejects Trump-backed bid to overturn election

  3. USA Today - Trump is heard on audiotape pressuring Georgia secretary of state to 'find' votes to overturn Biden's win

  4. Politico - Trump pressures Pence to throw out election results — even though he can't

  5. NPR - 'Someone's Going To Get Killed': Georgia Republican Official Blasts GOP Silence On Election Threats

  6. Toronto Star - Black churches vandalized, four stabbed, dozens arrested at pro-Trump rallies in Washington

  7. New York Times - 'Be There. Will Be Wild!’: Trump All but Circled the Date: Inside Trump supporters’ online echo chambers, the chaos of Jan. 6 could be seen coming. People posted their plans to come to Washington — and showed the weapons they would carry.

  8. Wall Street Journal - Trump Tells Rioters, ‘I Know How You Feel,’ Draws Bipartisan Condemnation

[–] [email protected] 26 points 1 year ago (3 children)

I absolutely LOVE that PoppinKREAM is on the fediverse too. We don't deserve you, my dude, but we're glad you're here.

[–] [email protected] 4 points 1 year ago (2 children)

Poppinkream is a woman if I'm not mistaken!

[–] [email protected] 5 points 1 year ago (2 children)

You might be. I don't think anyone knows except the KREAM themselves.

[–] [email protected] 4 points 1 year ago

Knowledge Rules Everything Around Me

[–] [email protected] 1 points 1 year ago

It doesn't matter either way. Let the legend be themselves. As a wo/man they can be corruptable. But as a KREAM they can be something more

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[–] [email protected] 2 points 1 year ago

Pretend like I know who that is but explain who it is as if I didn't know, please

[–] [email protected] 17 points 1 year ago

In a phone call, Trump tried to pressure officials in Georgia into making tens thousands of votes disappear to try and steal the 2020 election. They found no illegal votes, refused to overturn the results and began receiving death threats from Trump's supporters.^[1]

After Trump had exhausted all legal forms of overturning the election; From having over 60 frivolous lawsuits thrown out from all levels of courts including the conservative leaning Supreme Court (Trump picked 3 justices out of 9), after his Attorney General Barr resigned (an individual that covered/stalled investigations for Trump), Trump turned to his stalwart supporter in Vice-President Pence. A lie was pushed that Mike Pence could refuse to certify the election results as he presided over the counting of the ballots of the electoral college during the joint session of Congress on Jan. 6. Pence refused this illegal power grab. Having no further recourse Trump and his minions incited an insurrection during a rally Trump held at the same time the E.C. ballots were being certified. Trump's supporters erected a gallows, stormed the capital where several people subsequently lost their lives including police officers. Politicians were incredibly lucky they escaped. For example Capitol Police Officer Goodman's quick and heroic decision to lead an angry mob away from where congressionable members were hiding probably saved many lives. This mob was chanting hang Mike Pence, many of whom wore tactical gear, carried zip ties used, and used flagpoles, fire extinguishers, and chemical sprays as weapons while attacking those that protected Congress.^[2]


  1. BBC - Trump inciting violence, warns Georgia election official

  2. The Guardian - The martyrdom of Mike Pence

[–] [email protected] 15 points 1 year ago

Oh shit! PoppinKREAM is on Lemmy! Fuck ya!

[–] [email protected] 10 points 1 year ago

Good to see you here @[email protected] !

[–] [email protected] 5 points 1 year ago (1 children)

Poppinkream living the dream, great to see you make an appearance on here

[–] [email protected] 11 points 1 year ago (2 children)

It's been a long 7 years of FA. We're finally getting to the FO stage. Couldn't have happened to a better former 1 term president.

[–] [email protected] 7 points 1 year ago (1 children)

I won't consider this FO until he faces real consequences.

[–] [email protected] 4 points 1 year ago

True, and I fear more violence on the horizon as Trump's violent rhetoric ramps up at his campaign rallies.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 1 year ago

I know patience is required, but FO is the best part. I have special popcorn for this.

[–] [email protected] 4 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago)

The myth! The legend! Happy to see you here, PK!! Great info as usual :)

Edit: something is wacky so apologies if this showed up twice. I tried to delete one but not sure if it worked.

[–] [email protected] 3 points 1 year ago

I'm so glad to see you on here. Keep up the great work!

[–] [email protected] 2 points 1 year ago

You're here! PoppinKREAM in the digital flesh!!!

Feels good, don't it? 😎

[–] [email protected] 2 points 1 year ago
[–] [email protected] 2 points 1 year ago

What made Reddit so special were dedicated users like you. Glad you’re on the fediverse. I love the vibe of this place. It reminds me of 2011 Reddit.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 1 year ago

Hadn't looked at the user name and thought, "This looks like a PoppinKREAM post."

[–] [email protected] 1 points 1 year ago

Holy shit @PoppinKREAM - glad to see your work here! You have my award for best citizen journalist to ever post on Reddit. Welcome to the Fediverse!

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[–] [email protected] 13 points 1 year ago (3 children)

Can't wait to see what specific statutes, evidence and witnesses they have to cite. Pretty crazy anyone supported this psycho after Jan 6

[–] [email protected] 9 points 1 year ago (5 children)

Trump hasn't exactly been a recluse even before he got into politics. People should have known better even in 2016.

[–] [email protected] 4 points 1 year ago

they DID know better, but racists would throw their own children into fire if it meant "mud people" MIGHT get it worse than they have it, and so they proceeded to just that

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[–] [email protected] 11 points 1 year ago (1 children)

It follows the House January 6th committee’s investigation last year, which concluded that Trump incited the insurrection

So, clearly then, without any doubt, he has been found by congress to be disqualified by the 14th Amendment section 3.

https://constitution.congress.gov/browse/amendment-14/section-3/

Fourteenth Amendment Equal Protection and Other Rights

Section 3 Disqualification from Holding Office

No person shall be a Senator or Representative in Congress, or elector of President and Vice-President, or hold any office, civil or military, under the United States, or under any State, who, having previously taken an oath, as a member of Congress, or as an officer of the United States, or as a member of any State legislature, or as an executive or judicial officer of any State, to support the Constitution of the United States, shall have engaged in insurrection or rebellion against the same, or given aid or comfort to the enemies thereof. But Congress may by a vote of two-thirds of each House, remove such disability.

Clearly, allowing him to be the GOP is a Constitutional Crisis as he CONSTUITIONALLY CANNOT be president, even if elected.

[–] [email protected] 5 points 1 year ago (1 children)

I've posted about this before, but most of the legal interpretations I have seen from attorneys that I believe to be credible have said that he would need to be charged specifically with either: treason, inciting am insurrection, or aiding an insurrection. That is not what he has been charged with in this initial indictment, so I wouldn't get my hopes up.

Lastly, just want to make it clear I also believe he should be barred from running for office (and/or) serving in government ever again. However, I just don't know if this is going to be disqualifying via the 14th Ammendment without a serious fight in the Legislature and Judiciary.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 1 year ago

Also, an indictment is not the same thing as a conviction. I’d imagine you’d need a conviction before a 14th amendment claim

[–] [email protected] 8 points 1 year ago (1 children)
[–] [email protected] 3 points 1 year ago

Nice username. If only his punishment could be bridge four.

[–] [email protected] 6 points 1 year ago (1 children)

Jack Smith came to chew bubble gum and kick ass

And he's all out of bubblegum

[–] [email protected] 1 points 1 year ago

He never even HAD bubblegum! It was a ruse this whole time!

[–] [email protected] 6 points 1 year ago

All three indictments have presented a conundrum for those looking to displace Trump as the GOP frontrunner. Recognizing his continued grip on the Republican primary voters and the risk of alienating them,

This is a pretty good summary of why things are so effed up in the country.

[–] [email protected] 5 points 1 year ago

He did it! The mad lad did it! Trump got an indictment Hat Trick! Now let's see if he can stick the landing (straight to jail).

[–] [email protected] 4 points 1 year ago (1 children)

Good but I hope this is just the beginning for holding this typical Republican to account for his actions.

[–] [email protected] 4 points 1 year ago (1 children)

This is just the beginning of a lot of shit, the next 18 months are going to be bat shit crazy

[–] [email protected] 2 points 1 year ago (1 children)

Yeah, and I'm not sure people are really taking it seriously enough. A lot of shit can and potentially will go sideways as it becomes increasingly clear that there is no legal escape for Donald Trump, and many of his co-conspirators. I think more violence is almost a guarantee, and that is just the sad reality.

[–] [email protected] 3 points 1 year ago

I agree with you, but you gotta enjoy the wins where you can. There was almost zero chance for this to end without some sort of violence to begin with, there are multiple large groups of crazies in this country that refuse or will refuse to have any part in the direction the world is going to go in the next decade, to the point of denying observable reality, and they are going to get violent as their worldview crumbles around them

[–] [email protected] 3 points 1 year ago (2 children)

Popcorn time!

Trump is expected to be arraigned at the D.C. district court on Thursday, Aug. 3 before Magistrate Judge Moxila A. Upadhyaya.

Let's go!

[–] [email protected] 4 points 1 year ago

It’s a federal court, so no cameras

[–] [email protected] 3 points 1 year ago (1 children)

What does this usually mean for the timeline overall with respect to trial and next steps?

[–] [email protected] 2 points 1 year ago

It all depends on how the judge rules. The defense wants to delay everything until after the election, so if Trump wins, he can pardon himself. His other trial date is set for April though.

[–] [email protected] 3 points 1 year ago

Lock ~~her~~ him up!

[–] [email protected] 3 points 1 year ago

The myth! The legend! Happy to see you here, PK!! Great info as usual :)

[–] [email protected] 2 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago)

Any reports on who the 6 co-conspirators are mentioned in the indictment? List is on page 3 and 4. What are the odds Rudy Giuliani and Sidney Powell aren’t two of the 6? And did Rudy Flip? Haha

Indictment:

https://int.nyt.com/data/documenttools/trump-jan-6-indictment-2020-election/1f1c76972b25c802/full.pdf

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