DOJ Details Trump's Post-Election Actions in Filing

Special Counsel Jack Smith has filed a 165-page document arguing that former President Donald Trump committed private acts of election interference following his 2020 defeat. The filing, released by Judge Tanya Chutkan, emphasizes that Trump's actions were outside the scope of his presidential duties, focusing on his attempts to pressure Vice President Mike Pence and state officials to overturn the election results. Smith's argument relies on Supreme Court Justice Amy Coney Barrett's distinction between private and official acts, using her opinion to refute Trump's claim of presidential immunity. Trump has responded on Truth Social, accusing Smith of political bias and election interference, noting the timing of the filing just weeks before the upcoming election. Legal analysts, including Gregg Jarrett, criticize the release as politically motivated, while others compare the implications to historic scandals like Watergate. The case continues to draw significant public and legal attention as it progresses toward the 2024 election.