U.S. prosecutors have brought a reworked set of election interference charges against Donald Trump over his alleged efforts to overturn the 2020 presidential election.
Election interference charges were originally brought against the former President in 2023.
However, these charges have been updated in response to a recent Supreme Court decision on presidential immunity.
Trump is facing multiple criminal trials. Here’s the latest.
2020 election
After losing the 2020 election to Joe Biden, Trump initially refused to concede defeat, alleging election fraud.
Trump was accused of spreading false claims and obstructing the transition of power to President Biden.
On 6 January 2021, Trump supporters stormed the U.S. Capitol and attempted to block official procedures confirming Biden’s victory. Seven people died as a result of the riots.
Legal action
Officials launched legal action against Trump for alleged election interference in January 2023.
Prosecutors accused him of “using knowingly false claims of election fraud,” and encouraging his supporters to disrupt official election proceedings.
Trump has pleaded not guilty to the charges.
Charges were also brought against six others, who are accused of trying to help Trump overturn the election. This included an official who worked at the U.S. Department of Justice (DoJ).
Immunity
In July, the U.S. Supreme Court found that presidents are immune from criminal wrongdoing while in office.
Individuals who are granted immunity cannot be prosecuted for certain criminal offences.
The court found presidents have “presumptive immunity” for official actions, but not for “unofficial actions” — personal matters and private behaviour.
The decision raised questions about the viability of the criminal trials levelled against Donald Trump.
Updated changes
Prosecutors have now filed a revised version of the election interference charges against Trump.
The re-worked charges – known as a “superseding indictment” – still contain the original allegations of election fraud.
However, the case no longer includes accusations against the DoJ official alleged to have helped Trump.
This is because Trump’s interactions with this official are likely protected under the Supreme Court immunity ruling.
Next steps
In a post to his social media platform, Truth Social, Trump described the revised charges as an “act of desperation” in an “effort to resurrect a “dead” Witch Hunt” against him.
It’s unlikely the case will go to trial before the November presidential election.
If Trump wins, he would have presidential powers to have the lawsuit dropped or delayed.
Meanwhile if he loses the election, the trials against him are expected to proceed.
