Former US president Donald Trump has reiterated his stance that he had “every right” to interfere in the 2020 election, a claim he made during a Fox News interview that aired on Sunday. Trump is currently facing both federal and state charges related to his alleged efforts to overturn his election loss to President Joe Biden.
Trump’s comments come amid a federal indictment accusing him of defrauding the United States by attempting to prevent Congress from certifying Biden’s victory. The indictment alleges that Trump sought to deprive voters of their right to a fair election. Last month, this indictment was revised to include additional charges, further accusing Trump of illegally trying to overturn the 2020 election results.
In addition to the federal charges, Trump is also facing charges in Fulton County, Georgia. These charges include racketeering, a serious offense often used to prosecute members of organized crime groups, which carries a potential penalty of up to 20 years in prison. The Georgia case stems from a January 2, 2021, phone call in which Trump allegedly pressured Georgia’s Secretary of State, Brad Raffensperger, to “find” enough votes to reverse his narrow defeat in the state. Raffensperger refused to comply with Trump’s request.
While Trump continues to maintain his innocence and asserts his right to challenge the election results, his legal troubles have cast a shadow over his current campaign as the Republican nominee for president. Despite his legal battles, Trump has not yet indicated whether he would unconditionally accept the outcome of the upcoming November 5 election if his Democratic rival, Vice President Kamala Harris, were to win.
As the legal proceedings continue, Trump’s comments and legal strategy will likely remain a focal point in the lead-up to the next presidential election.
