DeSantis attacks justice department over Trump target letter
Ron DeSantis is defending Donald Trump, his chief rival for the Republican presidential nomination, during his first non-Fox News interview.
Florida’s governor is speaking on CNN now, repeating the former president’s claim that the justice department is being “weaponized”, though, notably, trying to distance himself from Trump over his January 6 conduct.
DeSantis told host Jake Tapper:
This country is going down the road of criminalizing political differences. And I think that’s wrong. [Manhattan district attorney] Alvin Bragg stretched the statute to be able to try to target Donald Trump.
Most people, even people on the left, acknowledge if that wasn’t Trump, that case would not have likely been brought against the normal civilian.
As president, my job is to restore a single standard of justice to end weaponization of these agencies. We’re gonna have a new FBI director on day one, we’re gonna have big changes at the department of justice.
Americans across the political spectrum, need to have confidence that what is going on is based on the rule of law, not based on what political tribe you’re in.
DeSantis’s interview looks like it’s going to be played in chunks throughout the coming hour, rather than as one big block.
Before it began, Tapper wondered at the timing of Trump’s decision to announce he had received the “target” letter from justice department special counsel Jack Smith, noting it was suspiciously close to the DeSantis interview.
The Trump target letter story has dominated the day’s headlines and assuredly stolen some of DeSantis’s thunder.
Charges: 31 counts of willful retention of national defense information under the Espionage Act, conspiracy to obstruct justice and false statements and representations, among others</p>”,”elementId”:”96a8394e-7cd8-4f53-be5b-3e51cce22eec”},{“_type”:”model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement”,”html”:”<p><strong>Hush-money case in New York</strong></p>”,”elementId”:”befd05c8-1085-4d13-ad7a-decb6bfb35c3″},{“_type”:”model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement”,”html”:”<p>Status: Trump pleaded not guilty; trial forthcoming</p>”,”elementId”:”7566f443-8d4e-4306-b940-ab9fdec8b4e3″},{“_type”:”model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement”,”html”:”<p>Key figures:</p>”,”elementId”:”b8b1dd57-5541-4479-bab5-6868e7d05d55″},{“_type”:”model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.InteractiveAtomBlockElement”,”id”:”interactives/2023/07/trump-litigation-tracker/hush-money”,”url”:”https://api.nextgen.guardianapps.co.uk/embed/atom/interactive/interactives%2F2023%2F07%2Ftrump-litigation-tracker%2Fhush-money”,”html”:”<div id=\”gv-atom\”>\n <div class=\”trump-tracker-container svelte-utd4m1\”><div class=\”tracker-person svelte-1k9gxk9\”><div class=\”headshot-container svelte-1k9gxk9\” style=\”background-color: #ffbac8;\”><img src=\”https://interactive.guim.co.uk/atoms/2023/07/trump-litigation-tracker/assets/v/1689622283205/trump.png\” alt=\”Portrait of Donald Trump\” class=\”svelte-1k9gxk9\”></div>\n <p class=\”tracker-name svelte-1k9gxk9\”>Donald Trump</p>\n <p class=\”tracker-title svelte-1k9gxk9\”>Defendant</p>\n</div>\n\n <div class=\”tracker-person svelte-1k9gxk9\”><div class=\”headshot-container svelte-1k9gxk9\” style=\”background-color: #ffbac8;\”><img src=\”https://interactive.guim.co.uk/atoms/2023/07/trump-litigation-tracker/assets/v/1689622283205/cohen.png\” alt=\”Portrait of Michael Cohen\” class=\”svelte-1k9gxk9\”></div>\n <p class=\”tracker-name svelte-1k9gxk9\”>Michael Cohen</p>\n <p class=\”tracker-title svelte-1k9gxk9\”>Convicted</p>\n</div>\n\n <div class=\”tracker-person svelte-1k9gxk9\”><div class=\”headshot-container svelte-1k9gxk9\” style=\”background-color: #dcdcdc;\”><img src=\”https://interactive.guim.co.uk/atoms/2023/07/trump-litigation-tracker/assets/v/1689622283205/bragg.png\” alt=\”Portrait of Alvin Bragg\” class=\”svelte-1k9gxk9\”></div>\n <p class=\”tracker-name svelte-1k9gxk9\”>Alvin Bragg</p>\n <p class=\”tracker-title svelte-1k9gxk9\”>Manhattan district attorney</p>\n</div>\n\n <div class=\”tracker-person svelte-1k9gxk9\”><div class=\”headshot-container svelte-1k9gxk9\” style=\”background-color: #dcdcdc;\”><img src=\”https://interactive.guim.co.uk/atoms/2023/07/trump-litigation-tracker/assets/v/1689622283205/hellerstein.png\” alt=\”Portrait of Alvin Hellerstein\” class=\”svelte-1k9gxk9\”></div>\n <p class=\”tracker-name svelte-1k9gxk9\”>Alvin Hellerstein</p>\n <p class=\”tracker-title svelte-1k9gxk9\”>Judge of the southern district of New York</p>\n</div>\n\n</div>\n</div>”,”css”:”div#maincontent:focus{box-shadow:none!important}@media (min-width: 71.25em){.content__main-column–interactive{margin-left:160px}}@media (min-width: 81.25em){.content__main-column–interactive{margin-left:240px}}.content__main-column–interactive:before{position:absolute;top:0;height:calc(100% + 15px);min-height:100px;content:\”\”}@media (min-width: 71.25em){.content__main-column–interactive:before{border-left:1px solid #dcdcdc;z-index:-1;left:-10px}}@media (min-width: 81.25em){.content__main-column–interactive:before{border-left:1px solid #dcdcdc;left:-11px}}.content__main-column–interactive 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format(\”woff2\”),url(https://assets.guim.co.uk/static/frontend/fonts/guardian-headline/noalts-not-hinted/GHGuardianHeadline-Black.woff) format(\”woff\”),url(https://assets.guim.co.uk/static/frontend/fonts/guardian-headline/noalts-not-hinted/GHGuardianHeadline-Black.ttf) format(\”truetype\”);font-weight:900;font-style:normal}@font-face{font-family:Guardian Headline Full;src:url(https://assets.guim.co.uk/static/frontend/fonts/guardian-headline/noalts-not-hinted/GHGuardianHeadline-BlackItalic.woff2) format(\”woff2\”),url(https://assets.guim.co.uk/static/frontend/fonts/guardian-headline/noalts-not-hinted/GHGuardianHeadline-BlackItalic.woff) format(\”woff\”),url(https://assets.guim.co.uk/static/frontend/fonts/guardian-headline/noalts-not-hinted/GHGuardianHeadline-BlackItalic.ttf) format(\”truetype\”);font-weight:900;font-style:italic}@font-face{font-family:Guardian Titlepiece;src:url(https://assets.guim.co.uk/static/frontend/fonts/guardian-titlepiece/noalts-not-hinted/GTGuardianTitlepiece-Bold.woff2) format(\”woff2\”),url(https://assets.guim.co.uk/static/frontend/fonts/guardian-titlepiece/noalts-not-hinted/GTGuardianTitlepiece-Bold.woff) format(\”woff\”),url(https://assets.guim.co.uk/static/frontend/fonts/guardian-titlepiece/noalts-not-hinted/GTGuardianTitlepiece-Bold.ttf) format(\”truetype\”);font-weight:700;font-style:normal}.trump-tracker-container.svelte-utd4m1{display:flex;flex-wrap:wrap;gap:20px 10px;width:100%}\n”,”js”:”\n var el = document.createElement(‘script’);\n el.src=”https://interactive.guim.co.uk/atoms/2023/07/trump-litigation-tracker/hush-money/v/1689622283205/app.js”;\n document.body.appendChild(el);\n “,”elementId”:”8100406d-bbd2-42fb-96fa-51e73540545b”},{“_type”:”model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement”,”html”:”<p>Charges: 34 felony charges of falsifying business records</p>”,”elementId”:”c975f141-9e36-4509-8d83-aab917739af2″},{“_type”:”model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement”,”html”:”<p><strong>January 6 case in Washington</strong></p>”,”elementId”:”f259b589-c34f-4026-9b91-e22a2041705c”},{“_type”:”model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement”,”html”:”<p>Status: Subpoenas issued by grand jury<br><br>Key figures:</p>”,”elementId”:”d31f5c8b-4e38-45a9-aa88-a4c6972cf1c4″},{“_type”:”model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.InteractiveAtomBlockElement”,”id”:”interactives/2023/07/trump-litigation-tracker/jan6″,”url”:”https://api.nextgen.guardianapps.co.uk/embed/atom/interactive/interactives%2F2023%2F07%2Ftrump-litigation-tracker%2Fjan6″,”html”:”<div id=\”gv-atom\”>\n <div class=\”trump-tracker-container svelte-utd4m1\”><div class=\”tracker-person svelte-1k9gxk9\”><div class=\”headshot-container svelte-1k9gxk9\” style=\”background-color: #ffbac8;\”><img src=\”https://interactive.guim.co.uk/atoms/2023/07/trump-litigation-tracker/assets/v/1689622283205/trump.png\” alt=\”Portrait of Donald Trump\” class=\”svelte-1k9gxk9\”></div>\n <p class=\”tracker-name svelte-1k9gxk9\”>Donald Trump</p>\n <p class=\”tracker-title svelte-1k9gxk9\”>Defendant</p>\n</div>\n\n <div class=\”tracker-person svelte-1k9gxk9\”><div class=\”headshot-container svelte-1k9gxk9\” style=\”background-color: #dcdcdc;\”><img src=\”https://interactive.guim.co.uk/atoms/2023/07/trump-litigation-tracker/assets/v/1689622283205/smith.png\” alt=\”Portrait of Jack Smith\” class=\”svelte-1k9gxk9\”></div>\n <p class=\”tracker-name svelte-1k9gxk9\”>Jack Smith</p>\n <p class=\”tracker-title svelte-1k9gxk9\”>Special counsel</p>\n</div>\n\n <div class=\”tracker-person svelte-1k9gxk9\”><div class=\”headshot-container svelte-1k9gxk9\” style=\”background-color: #dcdcdc;\”><img src=\”https://interactive.guim.co.uk/atoms/2023/07/trump-litigation-tracker/assets/v/1689622283205/boasberg.png\” alt=\”Portrait of James Boasberg\” class=\”svelte-1k9gxk9\”></div>\n <p class=\”tracker-name svelte-1k9gxk9\”>James Boasberg</p>\n <p class=\”tracker-title svelte-1k9gxk9\”>Chief US district judge for the District of Columbia</p>\n</div>\n\n</div>\n</div>”,”css”:”div#maincontent:focus{box-shadow:none!important}@media (min-width: 71.25em){.content__main-column–interactive{margin-left:160px}}@media (min-width: 81.25em){.content__main-column–interactive{margin-left:240px}}.content__main-column–interactive:before{position:absolute;top:0;height:calc(100% + 15px);min-height:100px;content:\”\”}@media (min-width: 71.25em){.content__main-column–interactive:before{border-left:1px solid #dcdcdc;z-index:-1;left:-10px}}@media (min-width: 81.25em){.content__main-column–interactive:before{border-left:1px solid #dcdcdc;left:-11px}}.content__main-column–interactive .element-atom{max-width:620px}@media (max-width: 46.24em){.content__main-column–interactive 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format(\”truetype\”);font-weight:700;font-style:normal}@font-face{font-family:Guardian Headline Full;src:url(https://assets.guim.co.uk/static/frontend/fonts/guardian-headline/noalts-not-hinted/GHGuardianHeadline-BoldItalic.woff2) format(\”woff2\”),url(https://assets.guim.co.uk/static/frontend/fonts/guardian-headline/noalts-not-hinted/GHGuardianHeadline-BoldItalic.woff) format(\”woff\”),url(https://assets.guim.co.uk/static/frontend/fonts/guardian-headline/noalts-not-hinted/GHGuardianHeadline-BoldItalic.ttf) format(\”truetype\”);font-weight:700;font-style:italic}@font-face{font-family:Guardian Headline Full;src:url(https://assets.guim.co.uk/static/frontend/fonts/guardian-headline/noalts-not-hinted/GHGuardianHeadline-Black.woff2) format(\”woff2\”),url(https://assets.guim.co.uk/static/frontend/fonts/guardian-headline/noalts-not-hinted/GHGuardianHeadline-Black.woff) format(\”woff\”),url(https://assets.guim.co.uk/static/frontend/fonts/guardian-headline/noalts-not-hinted/GHGuardianHeadline-Black.ttf) format(\”truetype\”);font-weight:900;font-style:normal}@font-face{font-family:Guardian Headline Full;src:url(https://assets.guim.co.uk/static/frontend/fonts/guardian-headline/noalts-not-hinted/GHGuardianHeadline-BlackItalic.woff2) format(\”woff2\”),url(https://assets.guim.co.uk/static/frontend/fonts/guardian-headline/noalts-not-hinted/GHGuardianHeadline-BlackItalic.woff) format(\”woff\”),url(https://assets.guim.co.uk/static/frontend/fonts/guardian-headline/noalts-not-hinted/GHGuardianHeadline-BlackItalic.ttf) format(\”truetype\”);font-weight:900;font-style:italic}@font-face{font-family:Guardian Titlepiece;src:url(https://assets.guim.co.uk/static/frontend/fonts/guardian-titlepiece/noalts-not-hinted/GTGuardianTitlepiece-Bold.woff2) format(\”woff2\”),url(https://assets.guim.co.uk/static/frontend/fonts/guardian-titlepiece/noalts-not-hinted/GTGuardianTitlepiece-Bold.woff) format(\”woff\”),url(https://assets.guim.co.uk/static/frontend/fonts/guardian-titlepiece/noalts-not-hinted/GTGuardianTitlepiece-Bold.ttf) format(\”truetype\”);font-weight:700;font-style:normal}.trump-tracker-container.svelte-utd4m1{display:flex;flex-wrap:wrap;gap:20px 10px;width:100%}\n”,”js”:”\n var el = document.createElement(‘script’);\n el.src=”https://interactive.guim.co.uk/atoms/2023/07/trump-litigation-tracker/jan6/v/1689622283205/app.js”;\n document.body.appendChild(el);\n “,”elementId”:”4a8dee63-2c57-42e9-9492-7bc451cf77b0″},{“_type”:”model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement”,”html”:”<p>Potential charges against Trump: Obstruction of an official proceeding, conspiracy to defraud the government and incitement of an insurrection</p>”,”elementId”:”420c8eb8-0eb6-4faf-9cd7-38d8bead0ff0″},{“_type”:”model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement”,”html”:”<p><strong>2020 election meddling case in Georgia</strong></p>”,”elementId”:”9ef46b2e-a8b0-43e2-bd14-ad43d15dfad4″},{“_type”:”model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement”,”html”:”<p>Status: Grand jury report finished; charging decisions expected this summer</p>”,”elementId”:”bbf41199-c5cb-4680-9074-917ec62a487c”},{“_type”:”model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement”,”html”:”<p>Key figures:</p>”,”elementId”:”c55bde85-e5d1-449e-ae70-cb8e5f410f7e”},{“_type”:”model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.InteractiveAtomBlockElement”,”id”:”interactives/2023/07/trump-litigation-tracker/georgia”,”url”:”https://api.nextgen.guardianapps.co.uk/embed/atom/interactive/interactives%2F2023%2F07%2Ftrump-litigation-tracker%2Fgeorgia”,”html”:”<div id=\”gv-atom\”>\n <div class=\”trump-tracker-container svelte-utd4m1\”><div class=\”tracker-person svelte-1k9gxk9\”><div class=\”headshot-container svelte-1k9gxk9\” style=\”background-color: #ffbac8;\”><img src=\”https://interactive.guim.co.uk/atoms/2023/07/trump-litigation-tracker/assets/v/1689622283205/trump.png\” alt=\”Portrait of Donald Trump\” class=\”svelte-1k9gxk9\”></div>\n <p class=\”tracker-name svelte-1k9gxk9\”>Donald Trump</p>\n <p class=\”tracker-title svelte-1k9gxk9\”>Defendant</p>\n</div>\n\n <div class=\”tracker-person svelte-1k9gxk9\”><div class=\”headshot-container svelte-1k9gxk9\” style=\”background-color: #ffbac8;\”><img src=\”https://interactive.guim.co.uk/atoms/2023/07/trump-litigation-tracker/assets/v/1689622283205/giuliani.png\” alt=\”Portrait of Rudy Giuliani\” class=\”svelte-1k9gxk9\”></div>\n <p class=\”tracker-name svelte-1k9gxk9\”>Rudy Giuliani</p>\n <p class=\”tracker-title svelte-1k9gxk9\”>Potential defendant</p>\n</div>\n\n <div class=\”tracker-person svelte-1k9gxk9\”><div class=\”headshot-container svelte-1k9gxk9\” style=\”background-color: #dcdcdc;\”><img src=\”https://interactive.guim.co.uk/atoms/2023/07/trump-litigation-tracker/assets/v/1689622283205/willis.png\” alt=\”Portrait of Fani Willis\” class=\”svelte-1k9gxk9\”></div>\n <p class=\”tracker-name svelte-1k9gxk9\”>Fani Willis</p>\n <p class=\”tracker-title svelte-1k9gxk9\”>Fulton county district attorney</p>\n</div>\n\n <div class=\”tracker-person svelte-1k9gxk9\”><div class=\”headshot-container svelte-1k9gxk9\” style=\”background-color: #dcdcdc;\”><img src=\”https://interactive.guim.co.uk/atoms/2023/07/trump-litigation-tracker/assets/v/1689622283205/mcburney.png\” alt=\”Portrait of Robert McBurney\” class=\”svelte-1k9gxk9\”></div>\n <p class=\”tracker-name svelte-1k9gxk9\”>Robert McBurney</p>\n <p class=\”tracker-title svelte-1k9gxk9\”>Judge of the Fulton county superior court</p>\n</div>\n\n</div>\n</div>”,”css”:”div#maincontent:focus{box-shadow:none!important}@media (min-width: 71.25em){.content__main-column–interactive{margin-left:160px}}@media (min-width: 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format(\”woff\”),url(https://assets.guim.co.uk/static/frontend/fonts/guardian-headline/noalts-not-hinted/GHGuardianHeadline-BoldItalic.ttf) format(\”truetype\”);font-weight:700;font-style:italic}@font-face{font-family:Guardian Headline Full;src:url(https://assets.guim.co.uk/static/frontend/fonts/guardian-headline/noalts-not-hinted/GHGuardianHeadline-Black.woff2) format(\”woff2\”),url(https://assets.guim.co.uk/static/frontend/fonts/guardian-headline/noalts-not-hinted/GHGuardianHeadline-Black.woff) format(\”woff\”),url(https://assets.guim.co.uk/static/frontend/fonts/guardian-headline/noalts-not-hinted/GHGuardianHeadline-Black.ttf) format(\”truetype\”);font-weight:900;font-style:normal}@font-face{font-family:Guardian Headline Full;src:url(https://assets.guim.co.uk/static/frontend/fonts/guardian-headline/noalts-not-hinted/GHGuardianHeadline-BlackItalic.woff2) format(\”woff2\”),url(https://assets.guim.co.uk/static/frontend/fonts/guardian-headline/noalts-not-hinted/GHGuardianHeadline-BlackItalic.woff) format(\”woff\”),url(https://assets.guim.co.uk/static/frontend/fonts/guardian-headline/noalts-not-hinted/GHGuardianHeadline-BlackItalic.ttf) format(\”truetype\”);font-weight:900;font-style:italic}@font-face{font-family:Guardian Titlepiece;src:url(https://assets.guim.co.uk/static/frontend/fonts/guardian-titlepiece/noalts-not-hinted/GTGuardianTitlepiece-Bold.woff2) format(\”woff2\”),url(https://assets.guim.co.uk/static/frontend/fonts/guardian-titlepiece/noalts-not-hinted/GTGuardianTitlepiece-Bold.woff) format(\”woff\”),url(https://assets.guim.co.uk/static/frontend/fonts/guardian-titlepiece/noalts-not-hinted/GTGuardianTitlepiece-Bold.ttf) format(\”truetype\”);font-weight:700;font-style:normal}.trump-tracker-container.svelte-utd4m1{display:flex;flex-wrap:wrap;gap:20px 10px;width:100%}\n”,”js”:”\n var el = document.createElement(‘script’);\n el.src=”https://interactive.guim.co.uk/atoms/2023/07/trump-litigation-tracker/georgia/v/1689622283205/app.js”;\n document.body.appendChild(el);\n “,”elementId”:”cf3647c7-b05c-4fdb-b332-d9fe91c8a97d”},{“_type”:”model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement”,”html”:”<p>Potential charges against Trump: Election code violations</p>”,”elementId”:”397433b1-36b5-40b4-9df0-b9fe37ca4bf4″},{“_type”:”model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement”,”html”:”<p><strong>E Jean Carroll lawsuits in New York</strong></p>”,”elementId”:”4ff247de-0750-46d6-bfd6-4f86fce32bf9″},{“_type”:”model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement”,”html”:”<p>Status: First lawsuit going to trial; second lawsuit on appeal<br><br>Key figures:</p>”,”elementId”:”9f7ea6a7-c644-4471-a751-962beeefb2fc”},{“_type”:”model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.InteractiveAtomBlockElement”,”id”:”interactives/2023/07/trump-litigation-tracker/jeancarroll”,”url”:”https://api.nextgen.guardianapps.co.uk/embed/atom/interactive/interactives%2F2023%2F07%2Ftrump-litigation-tracker%2Fjeancarroll”,”html”:”<div id=\”gv-atom\”>\n <div class=\”trump-tracker-container svelte-iegmwl\”><div class=\”tracker-person svelte-1k9gxk9\”><div class=\”headshot-container svelte-1k9gxk9\” style=\”background-color: #ffbac8;\”><img src=\”https://interactive.guim.co.uk/atoms/2023/07/trump-litigation-tracker/assets/v/1689622283205/trump.png\” alt=\”Portrait of Donald Trump\” class=\”svelte-1k9gxk9\”></div>\n <p class=\”tracker-name svelte-1k9gxk9\”>Donald Trump</p>\n <p class=\”tracker-title svelte-1k9gxk9\”>Defendant</p>\n</div>\n\n <div class=\”tracker-person svelte-1k9gxk9\”><div class=\”headshot-container svelte-1k9gxk9\” style=\”background-color: #ffbb50;\”><img src=\”https://interactive.guim.co.uk/atoms/2023/07/trump-litigation-tracker/assets/v/1689622283205/carroll.png\” alt=\”Portrait of E Jean Carroll\” class=\”svelte-1k9gxk9\”></div>\n <p class=\”tracker-name svelte-1k9gxk9\”>E Jean Carroll</p>\n <p class=\”tracker-title svelte-1k9gxk9\”>Plaintiff</p>\n</div>\n\n <div class=\”tracker-person svelte-1k9gxk9\”><div class=\”headshot-container svelte-1k9gxk9\” style=\”background-color: #dcdcdc;\”><img src=\”https://interactive.guim.co.uk/atoms/2023/07/trump-litigation-tracker/assets/v/1689622283205/kaplan.png\” alt=\”Portrait of Lewis Kaplan\” class=\”svelte-1k9gxk9\”></div>\n <p class=\”tracker-name svelte-1k9gxk9\”>Lewis Kaplan</p>\n <p class=\”tracker-title svelte-1k9gxk9\”>Senior judge of the US district court</p>\n</div>\n\n</div>\n</div>”,”css”:”div#maincontent:focus{box-shadow:none!important}@media (min-width: 71.25em){.content__main-column–interactive{margin-left:160px}}@media (min-width: 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format(\”woff\”),url(https://assets.guim.co.uk/static/frontend/fonts/guardian-headline/noalts-not-hinted/GHGuardianHeadline-BoldItalic.ttf) format(\”truetype\”);font-weight:700;font-style:italic}@font-face{font-family:Guardian Headline Full;src:url(https://assets.guim.co.uk/static/frontend/fonts/guardian-headline/noalts-not-hinted/GHGuardianHeadline-Black.woff2) format(\”woff2\”),url(https://assets.guim.co.uk/static/frontend/fonts/guardian-headline/noalts-not-hinted/GHGuardianHeadline-Black.woff) format(\”woff\”),url(https://assets.guim.co.uk/static/frontend/fonts/guardian-headline/noalts-not-hinted/GHGuardianHeadline-Black.ttf) format(\”truetype\”);font-weight:900;font-style:normal}@font-face{font-family:Guardian Headline Full;src:url(https://assets.guim.co.uk/static/frontend/fonts/guardian-headline/noalts-not-hinted/GHGuardianHeadline-BlackItalic.woff2) 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el.src=”https://interactive.guim.co.uk/atoms/2023/07/trump-litigation-tracker/jeancarroll/v/1689622283205/app.js”;\n document.body.appendChild(el);\n “,”elementId”:”462a9acb-d13a-4a11-b301-6710798d1ef0″},{“_type”:”model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement”,”html”:”<p>Allegations against Trump: Defamation and sexual abuse</p>”,”elementId”:”2296fefc-9e0a-4cbb-95e2-c46565c8a2f2″},{“_type”:”model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.RichLinkBlockElement”,”url”:”https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2023/jul/18/donald-trump-what-how-many-criminal-charges”,”text”:”Donald Trump’s legal problems: where does each case stand?”,”prefix”:”Related: “,”role”:”thumbnail”,”elementId”:”a58665be-5bc1-4a39-bc1e-d40210d13f6b”}],”attributes”:{“pinned”:false,”keyEvent”:true,”summary”:false},”blockCreatedOn”:1689691552000,”blockCreatedOnDisplay”:”10.45 EDT”,”blockLastUpdated”:1689691898000,”blockLastUpdatedDisplay”:”10.51 EDT”,”blockFirstPublished”:1689691863000,”blockFirstPublishedDisplay”:”10.51 EDT”,”blockFirstPublishedDisplayNoTimezone”:”10.51″,”title”:”Trump’s legal problems: where does each case stand?”,”contributors”:[{“name”:”Joan E Greve”,”imageUrl”:”https://i.guim.co.uk/img/uploads/2023/05/25/Joan_Greve.jpg?width=300&quality=85&auto=format&fit=max&s=8fb2a7cdd798189ef4e496b912c21db0″,”largeImageUrl”:”https://i.guim.co.uk/img/uploads/2023/05/25/Joan_Greve.png?width=300&quality=85&auto=format&fit=max&s=d282ed49d456148cb21b98feb83c79b7″}],”primaryDateLine”:”Tue 18 Jul 2023 16.57 EDT”,”secondaryDateLine”:”First published on Tue 18 Jul 2023 09.01 EDT”},{“id”:”64b69bd08f08d284f1f0c07d”,”elements”:[{“_type”:”model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement”,”html”:”<p>A<a href=\”https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2023/jul/18/trump-letter-jan-6-jack-smith\”> target letter</a> from federal prosecutors to <strong>Donald Trump</strong> indicates that prosecutors are focused on the former president’s actions in the criminal investigation into efforts to over the 2020 election.</p>”,”elementId”:”6e45636b-68f4-49e9-bb31-3989b2a0b6c9″},{“_type”:”model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement”,”html”:”<p>Justice Department regulations allow for prosecutors to notify subjects of an investigation that they have become a target. Those notifications aren’t required, <a href=\”https://www.cnn.com/2023/07/18/politics/trump-special-counsel-probe/index.html\”>according</a> to CNN, but prosecutors have the discretion to notify subjects that they have become a target.</p>”,”elementId”:”47891b36-694d-4346-b110-f1a3bbd2a543″},{“_type”:”model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement”,”html”:”<p>A target letter is the clearest sign that special counsel <strong>Jack Smith</strong> is close to seeking an indictment for Trump, though it is not clear what kind of charges he could ultimately face.</p>”,”elementId”:”3f08085e-ccf2-467c-b35f-e29897cb2c28″},{“_type”:”model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement”,”html”:”<p>But once notified, it is possible the recipient is not ultimately charged. A target has the opportunity to present evidence or testify to the grand jury if they choose. The idea is that they may want to tell the grand jury something to avoid indictment, or may want to assert their fifth amendment right against self-incrimination,<a href=\”https://www.nytimes.com/live/2023/07/18/us/trump-jan-6-letter#trump-jan-6-letter\”> according</a> to the New York Times.</p>”,”elementId”:”cbb4134b-9f75-4808-9098-2238060ab736″},{“_type”:”model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement”,”html”:”<p>In a Truth Social post, Trump said he was asked if he wishes to appear before the grand jury this week. He is expected to decline the invitation to appear before the grand jury, NYT reported.</p>”,”elementId”:”3f0795bb-763a-44fa-be46-fb6bb074137c”},{“_type”:”model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement”,”html”:”<p>A spokesperson for Smith declined to comment, according to AP.</p>”,”elementId”:”454f3f3e-7fd6-46c9-b159-d694af252e16″}],”attributes”:{“pinned”:false,”keyEvent”:true,”summary”:false},”blockCreatedOn”:1689689040000,”blockCreatedOnDisplay”:”10.04 EDT”,”blockLastUpdated”:1689689819000,”blockLastUpdatedDisplay”:”10.16 EDT”,”blockFirstPublished”:1689689770000,”blockFirstPublishedDisplay”:”10.16 EDT”,”blockFirstPublishedDisplayNoTimezone”:”10.16″,”title”:”What is a target letter, and what does it mean for Donald Trump?”,”contributors”:[],”primaryDateLine”:”Tue 18 Jul 2023 16.57 EDT”,”secondaryDateLine”:”First published on Tue 18 Jul 2023 09.01 EDT”},{“id”:”64b695868f08ed3a541d1c98″,”elements”:[{“_type”:”model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement”,”html”:”<p><strong>Donald Trump</strong> has claimed he received a letter informing him that he is a target in special counsel <strong>Jack Smith</strong>’s investigation into efforts to overturn the 2020 election.</p>”,”elementId”:”5fccc312-7139-4bd7-a9c5-b41aba160328″},{“_type”:”model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement”,”html”:”<p><a href=\”https://truthsocial.com/@realDonaldTrump/posts/110735295720085796\”>Posting</a> to the Truth Social platform, Trump said he received “horrifying news” from his attorneys on Sunday night. Trump wrote:</p>”,”elementId”:”afc88b74-a6fa-44e9-99c2-015797bab13d”},{“_type”:”model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.BlockquoteBlockElement”,”html”:”<blockquote class=\”quoted\”>\n <p>Deranged Jack Smith, the prosecutor with Joe Biden’s DOJ, sent a letter (again, it was Sunday night!) stating that I am a TARGET of the January 6th Grand Jury investigation, and giving me a very short 4 days to report to the Grand Jury, which almost always means an Arrest and Indictment.</p>\n</blockquote>”,”elementId”:”c9c3a319-f3a6-4f62-aeff-720db16fb2d7″},{“_type”:”model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement”,”html”:”<p>Target letters are typically given to subjects in a criminal investigation to put them on notice that they are facing the prospect of indictment.</p>”,”elementId”:”0b9819ce-5d27-4af4-be6a-a88d347807fb”}],”attributes”:{“pinned”:false,”keyEvent”:true,”summary”:false},”blockCreatedOn”:1689687430000,”blockCreatedOnDisplay”:”09.37 EDT”,”blockLastUpdated”:1689691169000,”blockLastUpdatedDisplay”:”10.39 EDT”,”blockFirstPublished”:1689687686000,”blockFirstPublishedDisplay”:”09.41 EDT”,”blockFirstPublishedDisplayNoTimezone”:”09.41″,”title”:”Trump says he is target of special counsel Jack Smith’s investigation into efforts to overturn 2020 election”,”contributors”:[],”primaryDateLine”:”Tue 18 Jul 2023 16.57 EDT”,”secondaryDateLine”:”First published on Tue 18 Jul 2023 09.01 EDT”},{“id”:”64b6813a8f0835a0b4952bc9″,”elements”:[{“_type”:”model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement”,”html”:”<p><strong>Good morning, <a href=\”https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/us-politics\”>US politics</a> blog readers. </strong>US district court judge <strong>Aileen Cannon,</strong> the federal judge presiding over <strong>Donald Trump</strong>’s trial for allegedly mishandling classified documents, is scheduled to meet with prosecutors and the former president’s attorneys for the first time this afternoon.</p>”,”elementId”:”c068b435-8629-4da6-b01e-40b44eccca5a”},{“_type”:”model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement”,”html”:”<p>The public hearing, set to take place at Cannon’s courthouse in Fort Pierce, Florida, is the first one she has held in the case that began when federal prosecutors, led by special counsel <strong>Jack Smith,</strong> indicted the former president last month. Earlier court sessions were held in Miami by federal magistrate judges.</p>”,”elementId”:”4a9503b7-c441-40a8-b204-d02d6bf0113e”},{“_type”:”model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement”,”html”:”<p>Tuesday’s session is expected to focus on administrative procedures for handling classified government materials, but today’s hearing could also provide insight into whether Cannon – a Trump appointee – will push to resolve the trial before or after the 2024 presidential election. Cannon previously gained significant public attention when she intervened last year in the Justice Department’s investigation.</p>”,”elementId”:”7c149ad9-9060-4013-9804-5c65707d65f4″},{“_type”:”model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement”,”html”:”<p>The hearing is scheduled to begin at 2pm EST.</p>”,”elementId”:”f65b4c58-4644-44c4-b6e7-dad871ad4ff7″},{“_type”:”model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement”,”html”:”<p>Meanwhile, a US national is believed to be <a href=\”https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/jul/18/us-citizen-crosses-border-from-south-korea-into-north-korea\”>in North Korean custody </a>after crossing into the country “without authorization”, according to the US-led UN Command overseeing the area.</p>”,”elementId”:”c385f455-ebe5-44cb-9244-154ccf494c2d”},{“_type”:”model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement”,”html”:”<p>The body tweeted that the person was on a tour of the border village of Panmunjom – which is located inside the demilitarized zone (DMZ) – and that the UN Command was working with its North Korean counterparts to resolve the incident. It gave no further details on the person’s identity or why he crossed the border.</p>”,”elementId”:”253b1067-9387-4c99-9d3e-8af0c8b1f707″},{“_type”:”model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement”,”html”:”<p>Here’s what else we’re watching today:</p>”,”elementId”:”0f747d2a-3983-4430-95a3-2d9e934018a7″},{“_type”:”model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement”,”html”:”<ul>\n <li><p><em>10am:</em> House majority leader <strong>Steve Scalise, </strong>House majority whip <strong>Tom Emmer </strong>and Republican conference chair <strong>Elise Stefanik</strong> will hold a news conference after a closed GOP meeting.</p></li>\n <li><p><em>10.45 am</em>: House Democratic Caucus chair <strong>Pete Aguilar,</strong> vice chair <strong>Ted Lieu,</strong> <strong>Mark Takano</strong>, <strong>Raul Ruiz</strong> and <strong>Mikie Sherrill </strong>will hold a news conference after the House Democrats’ meeting.</p></li>\n <li><p><em>1.15pm:</em> President Joe Biden will meet with Israeli President <strong>Isaac Herzog </strong>in the Oval Office.</p></li>\n <li><p><em>1.30pm:</em> White House press secretary <strong>Karine Jean-Pierre </strong>will hold a briefing.</p></li>\n <li><p><em>3pm: </em>The Senate will meet to take up <strong>Rachel Bloomekatz</strong>’s nomination to become a US circuit judge. There will also be a vote on a motion to invoke cloture on the motion to proceed to the National Defense Authorization Act.</p></li>\n <li><p><em>4pm: </em>Florida Republican Governor <strong>Ron DeSantis</strong> will be interviewed by CNN’s Jake Tapper, his first discussion with a major news organization other than Fox News.</p></li>\n <li><p><em>5pm: </em>Biden will meet with Cardinal <strong>Matteo Zuppi </strong>to discuss Ukraine.</p></li>\n</ul>”,”elementId”:”2cd79417-7fb4-4f1f-af47-3da734f02294″}],”attributes”:{“pinned”:false,”keyEvent”:true,”summary”:false},”blockCreatedOn”:1689685302000,”blockCreatedOnDisplay”:”09.01 EDT”,”blockLastUpdated”:1689684288000,”blockLastUpdatedDisplay”:”08.44 EDT”,”blockFirstPublished”:1689685302000,”blockFirstPublishedDisplay”:”09.01 EDT”,”blockFirstPublishedDisplayNoTimezone”:”09.01″,”title”:”Trump document case judge may signal whether trial could be pushed beyond 2024 election”,”contributors”:[],”primaryDateLine”:”Tue 18 Jul 2023 16.57 EDT”,”secondaryDateLine”:”First published on Tue 18 Jul 2023 09.01 EDT”}],”filterKeyEvents”:false,”format”:{“display”:0,”theme”:0,”design”:11},”id”:”key-events-carousel-mobile”}”>
Key events
DeSantis: I’m ‘doing better than everybody’ despite poll slump
Ron DeSantis claims he’s “doing better than everybody else” in the race for the 2024 Republican presidential nomination, despite overwhelming evidence he is far behind Donald Trump.
The eye-raising claim came as he attempted to explain his lackluster recent polling in his CNN interview, which, as we’ve noted, is the first time the rightwing Republican governor has strayed beyond the friendly confines of Fox News.
He referenced his re-election in Florida in November:
I took a state that had been a one-point state, and we won it by 20 percentage points, 1.5 million votes. Our bread and butter were people like suburban moms, we’re leading a big movement for parents be involved in education, school choice, get the indoctrination out of schools.
I was getting a lot of media attention at the time coming off the victory. I had to do my job as governor with my legislative session, and we had a great legislative session. I had to do that and I was basically taking fire.
A lot of people view me as a threat. I think the left views me as a threat because they think I’ll beat Biden and actually deliver on all this stuff. And then of course people that have their allegiances … [and people] have gone after me.
But the reality is this is a state by state process. I’m not running a campaign to try to juice you know, whatever we are in the national polls, and then whatever we did in the CNN [poll]. It’s fine. I’m definitely doing better than everybody else.
Ron DeSantis is insisting that “nobody really knows what wokeness is” as he attempts to defend his attacks on the US military for being “woke”.
The Florida governor and presidential hopeful gave a campaign speech earlier today condemning “woke” in the armed forces that he says is becoming a deterrent to recruitment.
Jake Tapper, the CNN host of DeSantis’s interview, is pushing back, citing recruitment statistics that say “wokeness” in the military is a long way down the list.
DeSantis said:
People see the military losing its way, not focusing on the mission, and focusing on a lot of these other things, which we see that in other aspects of society.
People want to join the military because they think it’s something different. And I think some of the civilian leaders in the military are trying to have the military mimic corporate America, academia, that’s ultimately not going to work.
Nobody really knows what wokeness is. I defined it, but a lot of people who railed against wokeness can’t even define it. There’s huge amount of concern about the direction that the military is going with all this.
DeSantis brushed off a question on the war in Ukraine, calling it a “secondary or tertiary” priority for the US:
The number one threat to our country is from China. We are going to approach the world instead of Europe being the focus, like it has been since world war two, and it was understandable why it would be, Nato stopping the Soviets, but now the Asia Pacific really needs to be to our generation what Europe was to the post-world war two generation.
Michigan charges filed for ‘fake’ Trump electors
Prosecutors in Michigan have filed felony charges against 16 state residents “for their role in the alleged false electors scheme” that followed the 2020 US presidential election.
The scheme, repeated in several swing states, attempted to install voters to falsely certify that Donald Trump had won the state, and deny Joe Biden victory.
We’ll have more details soon.
BREAKING: Michigan AG charges 16 individuals who signed certificates claiming Trump won the 2020 election in the state — https://t.co/reLXwDUvAU
The court hearing in Fort Pierce, Florida, has wrapped up, with federal judge Aileen Cannon indicating she is not minded to move towards a quick trial for Donald Trump over his hoarding of classified documents.
According to the CNN account of proceedings, Cannon, a Trump appointee, called the justice department’s proposed timeline for a December start as “rushed”, and she “challenged prosecutors to explain to her exactly how this was not what is called a complex trial”, referring to the espionage element of some of the charges against Trump.
Lawyers for the defense also spoke, arguing Trump “is unlike any other defendant”, and repeating their request to delay the trial until after the 2024 election.
While Cannon reportedly does not look minded to grant that request, she said she would look at the timeline and make a ruling shortly.
DeSantis attacks justice department over Trump target letter
Ron DeSantis is defending Donald Trump, his chief rival for the Republican presidential nomination, during his first non-Fox News interview.
Florida’s governor is speaking on CNN now, repeating the former president’s claim that the justice department is being “weaponized”, though, notably, trying to distance himself from Trump over his January 6 conduct.
DeSantis told host Jake Tapper:
This country is going down the road of criminalizing political differences. And I think that’s wrong. [Manhattan district attorney] Alvin Bragg stretched the statute to be able to try to target Donald Trump.
Most people, even people on the left, acknowledge if that wasn’t Trump, that case would not have likely been brought against the normal civilian.
As president, my job is to restore a single standard of justice to end weaponization of these agencies. We’re gonna have a new FBI director on day one, we’re gonna have big changes at the department of justice.
Americans across the political spectrum, need to have confidence that what is going on is based on the rule of law, not based on what political tribe you’re in.
DeSantis’s interview looks like it’s going to be played in chunks throughout the coming hour, rather than as one big block.
Before it began, Tapper wondered at the timing of Trump’s decision to announce he had received the “target” letter from justice department special counsel Jack Smith, noting it was suspiciously close to the DeSantis interview.
The Trump target letter story has dominated the day’s headlines and assuredly stolen some of DeSantis’s thunder.
Summary of the day so far
Here’s a recap of today’s developments:
A new indictment for Donald Trump could be imminent after the former US president announced on Tuesday morning he had received a letter from special prosecutor Jack Smith identifying him as a “target” in the justice department’s investigation into the January 6 insurrection. People who receive target letters from federal authorities are often – but not always – indicted. It is unclear what specific charges Trump could face.
Federal prosecutors have reportedly interviewed officials from all seven battleground states targeted by former Trump and his allies in their efforts to overturn the 2020 election results – Nevada, Michigan, Georgia, Arizona, Pennsylvania, Wisconsin and New Mexico.
Republicans defended Trump after news of the latest development, criticizing the Biden administration for his prosecution. Speaker Kevin McCarthy suggested the government was targeting Trump out of fear he could win next November, while House majority leader Steve Scalise questioned the timing of the new development in the January 6 investigation.
President Joe Biden “respects the Department of Justice, their independence”, the White House’s press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said during a briefing.
Lawyers for Trump and federal prosecutors have appeared before US district judge Aileen Cannon for a first hearing in Florida that could decide the crucial timing of the former president’s criminal case concerning the mishandling of classified documents. Tuesday’s session is Cannon’s first time hearing arguments in the case since Trump’s indictment last month.
Trump is already facing criminal charges in Florida for illegally hoarding classified documents from his presidency, and prosecution in New York for a hush-money payment to an adult movie star.
Trump is also under investigation in Fulton county, Georgia, for efforts to overturn his defeat to Biden there. Georgia’s supreme court on Monday unanimously rejected a request by Trump to block the prosecutor, Fani Willis, from prosecuting the case. His lawyers had argued that a special grand jury report that is part of the inquiry should be thrown out.
Ron DeSantis is formally a candidate in South Carolina’s 2024 presidential primary after the Republican Florida governor filed paperwork during a campaign stop. He’s the first presidential candidate from either major political party on the ballot for the primary, which will take place on 3 February, the first of any other southern state.
Democratic divisions over Israel were on stark display, as lawmakers prepared to welcome Isaac “Bougie” Herzog, the president of Israel, for an address to a joint session of Congress. Several progressive House members, including Representatives Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez of New York and Ilhan Omar of Minnesota, intend to boycott Herzog’s speech on Wednesday to protest the treatment of Palestinians under the government of Israel’s prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu.
US district judge Aileen Cannon said a proposal from federal prosecutors that a trial in the classified documents case against Donald Trump and his aide, Walt Nauta, be held in mid-December was “a bit rushed”, CNN is reporting.
Cannon did not decide on a trial date but said she plans to “promptly” issue an order on the matter, the news channel said.
DeSantis to hold rare CNN interviwe
Florida Governor and Republican presidential candidate Ron DeSantis is due to sit down with CNN’s Jake Tapper for a rare interview that will air at 4pm ET.
It will be his first discussion with a major news organization other than Fox News.
The interview comes days after a report said DeSantis had reduced campaign staff as his campaign has struggled to meet fundraising goals. Fewer than 10 staffers were reportedly laid off.
DeSantis during an event for his 2024 presidential campaign on Tuesday in West Columbia, South Carolina. Photograph: Meg Kinnard/AP
Joan E Greve
Democratic divisions over Israel were on stark display on Tuesday, as lawmakers prepared to welcome Isaac “Bougie” Herzog, the president of Israel, for an address to a joint session of Congress.
Several progressive House members, including Representatives Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez of New York and Ilhan Omar of Minnesota, intend to boycott Herzog’s speech on Wednesday to protest the treatment of Palestinians under the government of Israel’s prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu.
“In solidarity with the Palestinian people and all those who have been harmed by Israel’s apartheid government, I will be boycotting President Herzog’s joint address to Congress,” Representative Rashida Tlaib, a Democrat of Michigan, said on Monday.
I urge all members of Congress who stand for human rights for all to join me.
House Democratic leaders have struck a much more conciliatory tone toward Herzog, embracing the opportunity to hear from the Israeli president.
“President Bougie Herzog has been a force for good in Israeli society,” Hakeem Jeffries, the House Democratic leader, said on Friday.
I look forward to welcoming him with open arms when he comes to speak before Congress.
The tension between House Democrats reached a boiling point over the weekend, after Pramila Jayapal, chair of the Congressional Progressive Caucus, described Israel as a “racist state” while speaking at a conference in Chicago.
Congressional Progressive Caucus chair Pramila Jayapal described Israel as a ‘racist state’. Photograph: Anadolu Agency/Getty Images
Federal prosecutors have interviewed officials from all seven battleground states targeted by former President Donald Trump and his allies in their efforts to overturn the 2020 election results, CNN is reporting.
Special counsel Jack Smith’s team met with at least one official from the Nevada secretary of state’s office in recent months as part of the justice department’s ongoing criminal investigation into the January 6 insurrection, a source told the news channel.
A spokesperson for Nevada’s current secretary of state, Francisco Aguilar, who was not in office during the 2020 election, said his office has been in contact with Smith’s team and is complying all requests from the justice department.
During that same time period, prosecutors reportedly also spoke with officials from the other six states targeted by Trump and his allies – Michigan, Georgia, Arizona, Pennsylvania, Wisconsin and New Mexico.
House majority leader Steve Scalise questioned the timing of the latest development in the justice department’s investigation into the January 6 insurrection.
Scalise accused the Biden administration of weaponizing the government against Donald Trump, just days before IRS whistleblowers prepare to testify before a House panel investigating Hunter Biden.
Scalise, at a House GOP conference briefing, said:
Now you see the Biden administration going after President Trump once again, it begs that question: is there a double standard? Is justice being administered equally
Georgia Governor Brian Kemp has not met with special counsel Jack Smith’s team over the justice department’s January 6 investigation, Kemp told NBC’s Frank Thorp V.
Spotted in the Capitol after meeting with McConnell, GA Gov Brian Kemp says he has NOT met with Jack Smith’s team, tell me, “I have not talked to anybody from the special counsel’s office, no.”
Biden ‘respects the DoJ’s independence’, says White House
White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre, in her briefing with reporters this afternoon, did not comment on Donald Trump’s claim that he was a target in the justice department’s investigation into the January 6 insurrection.
The president “respects the Department of Justice, their independence”, Jean-Pierre said. She added:
He has been very, very steadfast on making sure that the rule of law comes back in this administration, comes back in the White House and the administration more broadly. That’s what you have seen.
Former Arizona governor contacted by special counsel Jack Smith’s team in January 6 probe
Special counsel Jack Smith’s team has contacted former Arizona Governor Doug Ducey, who Donald Trump pressured to overturn the 2020 election, a source has told CNN.
A spokesperson for Ducey said:
Yes, he’s been contacted. He’s been responsive, and just as he’s done since the election, he will do the right thing.
In a phone call after his presidential election defeat, Trump tried to pressure Ducey to find fraud in the state’s election results that would help him overturn his loss, according to sources.
Trump also reportedly repeatedly asked his vice president, Mike Pence, to call Ducey and prod him to find evidence to substantiate Trump’s claims of fraud. Pence called Ducey several times to discuss the election, according to sources.
Arizona Governor Doug Ducey. Photograph: Ross D Franklin/AP
Wisconsin’s top elections official met with special counsel Jack Smith’s team and the FBI as part of the investigation into the 2020 election, according to a statement.
Wisconsin elections commission administrator, Meagan Wolfe, spoke to federal prosecutors in person in April, her spokesperson said. Wolfe, who was subpoenaed in April, declined further comment, noting that it was an ongoing investigation.
Election leaders in Wisconsin’s two largest cities, Milwaukee and Madison, have also spoken with investigators as part of the justice department’s probe into Donald Trump’s efforts to overturn the 2020 election results.
Trump paid for recounts in those two cities and unsuccessfully sued in an attempt to get enough ballots tossed to overturn his loss. Joe Biden won Wisconsin by nearly 21,000 votes.
Investigators have also spoken with the leader of elections in New Mexico, Michigan and Georgia.
Special counsel Jack Smith has not commented on whether his team sent a letter to Donald Trump and his lawyers identifying him as a “target” in the justice department’s investigation into the January 6 insurrection.
Meanwhile, special counsel Jack Smith declined to comment on the Trump target letter when asked about it as he was leaving a Subway in Washington just now, per @matthewaphilips.
John Eastman, the lawyer who advised Donald Trump on overturning the 2020 election, has not received a target letter from the special counsel, Eastman’s attorney said.
Eastman was in the vanguard of lawyers plotting schemes involving “fake electors” and other ploys to help Trump thwart Joe Biden’s win in 2020. The former California law professor is one of several lawyers whose legal stratagems have been heavily examined by special counsel Jack Smith’s investigation into Trump and his allies’ efforts to block Biden from taking office.
A statement from Eastman’s lawyer reads:
Our client has received no target letter, and we don’t expect one since raising concerns about illegality in the conduct of an election is not now and has never been sanctionable.
Attorney John Eastman, the architect of a legal strategy aimed at keeping former President Donald Trump in power. Photograph: Jae C Hong/AP
As we mentioned earlier, Donald Trump’s lawyers, including Todd Blanche, are believed to have received the so-called target letter on Sunday informing them that their client could face charges in special counsel Jack Smith’s investigation into the January 6 insurrection.
The letter caught Trump’s team off guard, who had not been anticipating Smith to potentially bring charges this month, or against Trump, according to a CNN report. The letter now indicates he could do so soon.
The White House media briefing is under way, and press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre wasted no time in tearing into Republican Alabama senator Tommy Tuberville for holding up military appointments.
Tuberville is blocking the appointments in protest of Pentagon policy on abortion.
Jean-Pierre points out that the hold-up is affecting the nation’s military readiness:
I would imagine our adversaries would look at something like this and be pretty happy that we create this kind of turbulence within our force.
Americans are deeply concerned at the damage Senator Tuberville’s holes can have on our armed services, and our military spouses and the children of servicemembers with his disrespect to our national security and our military.