Donald Trump would have been convicted over his attempts to overturn the 2020 election result had he not been re-elected by voters last year, a newly-released Department of Justice report says.
“The throughline of all of Mr Trump's criminal efforts was deceit — knowingly false claims of election fraud — and the evidence shows that Mr Trump used these lies as a weapon to defeat a federal government function foundational to the United States' democratic process," the report states.
The report, arriving just days before Trump is to return to office on January 20, focuses fresh attention on his frantic but failed effort to cling to power in 2020. With the prosecution foreclosed thanks to Trump's election victory, the document is expected to be the final Justice Department chronicle of a dark chapter in American history that threatened to disrupt the peaceful transfer of power, a bedrock of democracy for centuries, and complements already released indictments and reports.
Trump responded early Tuesday with a post on his Truth Social platform, claiming he was "totally innocent" and calling Smith "a lamebrain prosecutor who was unable to get his case tried before the Election." He added, "THE VOTERS HAVE SPOKEN!!!"
Trump had been indicted in August 2023 on charges of working to overturn the election, but the case was delayed by appeals and ultimately significantly narrowed by a conservative-majority Supreme Court that held for the first time that former presidents enjoy sweeping immunity from criminal prosecution for official acts.
Key Points
- Trump-appointed judge clears way for release of Jack Smith report into 2020 election interference
- Melania ‘already packed’ for Trump return to White House
- Trump’s most controversial administration picks go before the Senate this week — here’s the schedule
- Trump and JD Vance blame ‘incompetent’ California leadership over wildfires
Trump would have been convicted over attempt to overturn 2020 election if he hadn’t been re-elected, special counsel’s report says
07:17
Tom Barnes
Special counsel Jack Smith said his team “stood up for the rule of law” as it investigated President-elect Donald Trump‘s efforts to overturn the results of the 2020 election, writing in a much-anticipated report released Tuesday that he stands fully behind his decision to bring criminal charges he believes would have resulted in a conviction had voters not returned Trump to the White House.
“The throughline of all of Mr Trump‘s criminal efforts was deceit — knowingly false claims of election fraud — and the evidence shows that Mr. Trump used these lies as a weapon to defeat a federal government function foundational to the United States’ democratic process,” the report states.
The report, arriving just days before Trump is to return to office on January 20, focuses fresh attention on his frantic but failed effort to cling to power in 2020.
With the prosecution foreclosed thanks to Trump‘s election victory, the document is expected to be the final Justice Department chronicle of a dark chapter in American history that threatened to disrupt the peaceful transfer of power, a bedrock of democracy for centuries, and complements already released indictments and reports.
Trump responded early Tuesday with a post on his Truth Social platform, claiming he was “totally innocent” and calling Smith “a lamebrain prosecutor who was unable to get his case tried before the Election.” He added, “THE VOTERS HAVE SPOKEN!!!”
Trump had been indicted in August 2023 on charges of working to overturn the election, but the case was delayed by appeals and ultimately significantly narrowed by a conservative-majority Supreme Court that held for the first time that former presidents enjoy sweeping immunity from criminal prosecution for official acts.
Though Smith sought to salvage the indictment, the team dismissed it entirely in November because of longstanding Justice Department policy that says sitting presidents cannot face federal prosecution.
What tough questions might Pete Hegseth face at his confirmation hearing?
06:50
Oliver O'Connell
Pete Hegseth is preparing to face a panel of bipartisan senators on Tuesday who will grill him over allegations from his past and his credentials at the first of the Senate confirmation hearings.
President-elect Donald Trump has tapped Hegseth for one of the most senior jobs in the administration: secretary of defense.
But since the day Trump announced his unorthodox choice to head up the Pentagon, there have been serious questions hanging over the 44-year-old Fox News host.
Rhian Lubin reports.
Trump’s inauguration: Who is Christopher Macchio, the singer performing the national anthem?
05:50
Oliver O'Connell
As President-elect Donald Trump takes the oath of office once again at his second Inauguration ceremony on January 20, he will be serenaded by a host of performers, including Christopher Macchio, who will sing the national anthem.
Macchio, 46, a classical-crossover vocalist from New York City, takes on the honor from Lady Gaga, who performed the national anthem at President Joe Biden’s 2021 swearing-in ceremony.
Inga Parkel reports.
ICYMI: Justice Department can publish Jack Smith report on Trump’s election interference case, judge rules
04:50
Oliver O'Connell
After a last-minute legal battle, Jack Smith’s final report on his criminal investigation into Donald Trump’s attempts to overturn the 2020 presidential election is one step closer to becoming public.
On Monday, Florida District Judge Aileen Cannon rejected arguments from Trump and his now-former co-defendants in the classified documents case who have tried to stop the Department of Justice from releasing the entire report.
Her decision clears the way for Attorney General Merrick Garland to partially release Smith’s report to the public once her initial three-day injunction expires at midnight Monday — less than a week before Trump returns to the White House.
Alex Woodward reports.
Melania Trump tells Fox she doesn’t always agree with Donald
03:50
Oliver O'Connell
Soon-to-be first lady Melania Trump insisted on Monday that she is “independent” and will stand up to her husband, saying she doesn’t always “agree with what Donald is saying” and she is more than “just the wife of the president.”
During a friendly sitdown on her spouse’s favorite morning show Fox & Friends, the incoming first lady spent much of her time promoting an upcoming documentary on her return to the White House, which was licensed by Amazon for an eye-popping $40 million and directed by disgraced Hollywood director Brett Ratner.
Justin Barangoa has the story.
Civil servants are being asked who they voted for in 2024 election
02:50
Oliver O'Connell
According to a U.S. official familiar with the matter, incoming senior Trump administration officials have begun questioning career civil servants who work on the White House National Security Council about who they voted for in the 2024 election, their political contributions, and whether they have made social media posts that President-elect Donald Trump‘s team could consider incriminating.
At least some of these nonpolitical employees have begun packing up their belongings since being asked about their loyalty to Trump — after they had earlier been given indications that they would be asked to stay on at the NSC in the new administration, the official said, speaking on the condition of anonymity to discuss sensitive personnel matters.
Read on...
Eric Trump mulling new family-branded vodka line
01:50
Oliver O'Connell
Eric Trump, son of president-elect Donald Trump, reportedly has been in talks to launch a new business venture: selling a new family-branded vodka.
Eric Trump Wineries has been discussing the idea of a new vodka line with a limited liability company and the Trump name would be used under a licensing agreement, sources told CBS News. It’s not immediately clear whether the deal would come to fruition before his father is inaugurated on January 20.
Kelly Rissman reports.
Trump’s call with Putin set for the next few days
00:50
Oliver O'Connell
Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin are expected to have a call in the coming days.
It comes as a top Trump adviser said it is unrealistic to aim to expel Russian soldiers from every inch of Ukrainian territory.
Trump, who will return as U.S. president on January 20, styles himself as a master dealmaker and has vowed to swiftly end the war in Ukraine but not set out how he might achieve that.
Read on...
Carrie Underwood met with intense backlash over Trump inauguration gig
Monday 13 January 2025 23:50
Oliver O'Connell
Carrie Underwood has received backlash on social media after it was revealed she is set to perform at Donald Trump’s inauguration next Monday, January 20.
The country singer, 41, is expected to sing “America the Beautiful.” She has previously declined to comment on politics.
A spokesperson for the Presidential Inaugural Committee confirmed to The Independent that Underwood will be performing at the event.
Kevin E G Perry reports from Los Angeles.
Report: US officials reached out to Putin over fears of Russia ‘enabling terrorism'
Monday 13 January 2025 23:20
Oliver O'Connell
Aides to President Joe Biden sent a warning to Russian President Vladimir Putin after they feared that the Russians may attempt to bring the war in Ukraine to the U.S., according to a New York Times report.
This summer, cargo shipments began to catch fire at German, British, and Polish airports and warehouses. Both Washington and the Europeans believed that the Russians were responsible.
In August, the White House grew concerned that the Russians were also planning to bring their sabotage to the U.S., according to secretly obtained intelligence.
Gustaf Kilander reports.
Ivanka Trump says she ‘hates’ politics and opens up about supporting father through ‘lonely’ presidency
Monday 13 January 2025 22:50
Oliver O'Connell
Ivanka Trump confessed she “hates” the “darkness” of politics and unveiled how she plans to support her father during his second term.
The president-elect’s eldest daughter sat down for an almost two-hour-long interview with The Skinny Confidential podcast. In an episode that aired Monday, she divulged her thoughts about politics and how she plans to be there for President-elect Donald Trump, who will be inaugurated for a second time on January 20.
Ivanka served as an adviser to her father during his first term, but she revealed she actually “hates” politics.
Kelly Rissman has the story.
Durbin: Rubio is ‘good choice to lead the State Department'
Monday 13 January 2025 22:37
Oliver O'Connell
Democrat Senator Dick Durbin, the party’s whip in the upper chamber of Congress, says Senator Marco Rubio is “a good choice to lead the State Department,” as his confirmation hearing nears this week.
He wrote on X: “I met with Pres.-elect Trump's Secretary of State pick, Marco Rubio. Senator Rubio and I have worked closely together in the Senate on a number of foreign policy issues. I believe he is a good choice to lead the State Department.”
I met with Pres.-elect Trump's Secretary of State pick, Marco Rubio.
— Senator Dick Durbin (@SenatorDurbin) January 13, 2025
Senator Rubio and I have worked closely together in the Senate on a number of foreign policy issues. I believe he is a good choice to lead the State Department. pic.twitter.com/n6ykDnvMtX
Trump inaugural committee announces parade participants — including first responders from Butler County, Pennsylvania
Monday 13 January 2025 22:35
Oliver O'Connell
The Trump-Vance Inaugural Committee has announced the initial list of participants in the Presidential Inaugural Parade, which occurs immediately following the swearing-in of President Donald Trump and Senator J.D. Vance.
Nearly 7,500 participants from 23 states represent Americans from all walks of life, including a variety of veterans groups, first responders, high school and university marching bands, and equestrian groups will take part. As is tradition, each branch of the United States Armed Forces will also be represented.
“The committee is grateful and overwhelmed by the outpouring of interest from Americans across the country seeking to participate in one of our nation’s most important and longstanding traditions. With upwards of 7,500 participants joining in the Presidential Inaugural Parade, we are thrilled to honor our country and begin America’s new Golden Era,” said committee co-chairs Steve Witkoff and Kelly Loeffler.
“We are deeply honored to be chosen to participate in this national event,” said Jesse Grapes, president of parade newcomers the Benedictine Schools of Richmond. “This opportunity reflects the discipline, commitment and character of our Cadets and underscores the core values of leadership and service that define our school and larger school community.”
The Butler County First Responders who responded to the first assassination attempt on Trump in July 2024 will represent fellow life-savers nationwide by marching in the parade as well as paying tribute to Corey Comperatore who lost his life that day.
Inaugural parades are a long-lived tradition, dating back to President Washington’s first election when impromptu crowds of supporters followed and cheered behind him as he traveled from Mount Vernon to New York City. Presidents Adams and Jefferson also had spontaneous parades, which continued until the inauguration of President James Madison in 1809, when they became an official part of the event.
Trump’s second inauguration — what you need to know
Monday 13 January 2025 22:30
Katie Hawkinson
Donald Trump is set to take the oath of office in a week, kicking off his term as the 47th president of the United States.
Here’s what you need to know about when Trump’s second term begins:
Trump returns flags to full height at Mar-a-Lago, ignoring Jimmy Carter mourning period
Monday 13 January 2025 22:10
Oliver O'Connell
U.S. flags at President-elect Donald Trump‘s private Mar-a-Lago club are back to flying at full height.
Flags are supposed to fly at half-staff through the end of January out of respect for former President Jimmy Carter, who died on Dec. 29. A large flag on Trump’s property in Palm Beach was initially lowered to half-staff according to protocol but has since been raised in the days after Carter was buried Thursday in his hometown of Plains, Georgia.
Both President Joe Biden and Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis directed that U.S. flags be flown at half-staff for 30 days from the date of Carter’s death — or through Jan. 28.
Trump has expressed annoyance that flags will be at half-staff on Jan. 20 when he takes the oath of office for his second term.
Andrew Georgson has the story.
GOP Sen. Norm Coleman and Rep. Mike Waltz will introduce Hegseth at tomorrow’s hearing
Monday 13 January 2025 21:56
Oliver O'Connell
New: former GOP Sen. Norm Coleman and Rep. Mike Waltz will be introducing Pete Hegseth at his hearing tomorrow
— Max Cohen (@maxpcohen) January 13, 2025
ANALYSIS: You might not like it, but a Trump-Obama friendship could save America
Monday 13 January 2025 21:50
Oliver O'Connell
Holly Baxter writes:
By this time, you’ll have already seen the video. In it, Donald Trump and Barack Obama cozy up together at Jimmy Carter’s funeral, sharing a private joke or two before proceedings get underway. They lean in toward each other as soon as Obama takes his seat; Trump says something that makes Obama laugh. From a distance, they look like friends.
Read on...
Who is performing at Trump’s inauguration?
Monday 13 January 2025 21:30
Katie Hawkinson
At the ceremony in Washington, D.C. on the steps of the U.S. Capitol, Trump and Vice President-elect J.D. Vance will take the oath of office and assume their positions in the White House.
However, the inauguration ceremony will be more than just a swearing-in — Trump’s team has just released the schedule of events, revealing those who will perform at the event, The Spectator World reports.
Here’s what you need to know about the line-up for Trump and Vances’ inauguration:
Two confirmation hearings delayed
Monday 13 January 2025 21:24
Oliver O'Connell
The confirmation hearing for presumptive Interior nominee Doug Burgum has been delayed by two days after Democratic pushback over missing paperwork, The Hill reports.
In addition to that, the hearing for Doug Collins, Donald Trump’s pick to head up Veterans Affairs, has also been pushed until next week because his FBI file isn’t ready.
SCOOP: Another hearing for a Trump cabinet nominee has been delayed...
— Julie Tsirkin (@news_jul) January 13, 2025
Chairman Moran postponed the hearing for Doug Collins, Trump's Veterans Affairs pick, until next week because his FBI file isn't ready
Moran and top Democrat Blumenthal want to review it before the hearing
Monday 13 January 2025 21:14
Oliver O'Connell
I love our country and am honored to have been asked to sing at the Inauguration. I am humbled to answer the call at a time when we must all come together in the spirit of unity and looking to the future.
Which states will help or hinder Trump’s second-term plans?
Monday 13 January 2025 21:10
AP
Do you live in a red state, a blue state, or one where Republicans and Democrats share power?
Your answer might provide the best indicator of what to expect from your governor and state lawmakers as President-elect Donald Trump takes office and legislatures convene.
In many cases, political party identification has come to define public policy, percolating from the nation’s capital down to the 50 statehouses.
Many Republican state officials are aligning with Trump’s policies by pledging to help him crack down on illegal immigration, for example. Some Democratic state officials are mounting a resistance movement, looking for ways to shield their states from potential federal policies restricting abortion and transgender rights, among other things. Some prominent Democratic governors, meanwhile, have taken a more conciliatory approach in an effort to forge a working relationship with the new administration.
Here’s a look at what to expect in some policy areas:
What Mayorkas has to say about his record on the border
Monday 13 January 2025 20:50
AP
In the waning days of the Biden administration, Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas defended his agency’s work to tamp down border-crossing numbers and argued against breaking apart the sprawling department in a wide-ranging interview with The Associated Press.
President-elect Donald Trump, who promised an aggressive Day 1 effort to stop illegal immigration and remove people in the country illegally, has chosen South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem to take over the agency responsible for border and airport security, disaster response, protections for high-level dignitaries and more. She faces a confirmation hearing Wednesday.
As he prepares to leave office, Mayorkas said he has spoken repeatedly to Noem, including about the Jan. 1 truck attack in New Orleans and the wildfires in California, calling the conversations “meaningful, very productive, very positive.”
Here are some takeaways from AP‘s interview with Mayorkas:
What to expect from this week’s Trump admin confirmation hearings
Monday 13 January 2025 20:42
Oliver O'Connell
This week, the Republican-led Senate will hold more than a dozen hearings for President-elect Donald Trump’s Cabinet picks. The goal is to confirm their roles as soon as possible so that he can move forward with his agenda as soon as possible after his inauguration.
While some will likely go smoothly, such as Senator Marco Rubio, Trump’s choice for secretary of state, others may struggle to get the requisite number of votes for confirmation — Fox News host Pete Hegseth, a military veteran, for defense secretary, for example.
The tightly packed schedule of the hearings led Senator John Cornyn of Texas to say to reporters last week: “We’re going to have a little bit of a train wreck next week of confirmation hearings... But I’m glad we’re getting those done, and the FBI background check would naturally be a part of that process.”
The process is that the nominees must first be approved by the respective Senate committees that oversee their prospective departments, in front of whom they will appear for hearings this week.
They then require 50 votes from the full Senate for confirmation. Vice President-elect JD Vance will be able to break a tie starting from January 20, when he and Trump take office.
Republicans have a majority of 53 seats in the Senate, so they can endure three defections before they need Democratic votes.
Senator John Fetterman of Pennsylvania has already expressed support for Rubio, Elise Stefanik for UN Ambassador, and Sean Duffy for transportation secretary.
We’ll be keeping track of the hearings all week on this blog. Here’s what you need to know about who’s up for which job and when they’ll face questioning:
Timeline of Trump’s dramatic return to White House — from criminal sentencing to second inauguration
Monday 13 January 2025 20:30
Gustaf Kilander
With just a week left until President-elect Donald Trump’s inauguration, his inaugural committee has shared the schedule for all the events leading up to the swearing-in of the 47th president.
Trump has overcome impeachments, indictments, assassination attempts, and unforced errors on the campaign trail that would have dealt severe blows to most other political candidates.
During the two months since Trump won the election, states and Congress have certified the results, a new Congress has convened, and Trump has been sentenced in his hush-money case.
These are all the key dates from Trump’s election victory until he becomes the next president.
Fox News gives Trump skeptic Neil Cavuto's old time slot to MAGA diehard Will Cain
Monday 13 January 2025 20:10
Oliver O'Connell
Weeks after Fox News original Neil Cavuto shockingly revealed that he was immediately leaving the network he’d called home since 1996, the conservative cable giant announced that it had decided to tap Fox & Friends Weekend host Will Cain as Cavuto’s mid-afternoon replacement.
Unveiling a series of programming changes across the weekday and weekend schedules of both Fox News and Fox Business Network, Fox News Media CEO Suzanne Scott boasted about the upcoming The Will Cain Show, along with the host’s credentials and experience.
Justin Barangoa has the story.
Biden: America is ‘winning the worldwide competition’ after my four years in office
Monday 13 January 2025 20:00
Oliver O'Connell
Four years after President Joe Biden entered office with the intent on strengthening American alliances that had been neglected during Donald Trump’s first administration, he says he’s leaving office having accomplished those goals.
In his final foreign policy address at the State Department on Monday, the US president declared that America was “winning the worldwide competition” while pointing to a strengthened (and growing) Nato as evidence.
Andrew Feinberg and John Bowden report from Washington, D.C.
Jan 6 rioter to refuse Trump’s pardon
Monday 13 January 2025 19:50
Oliver O'Connell
Pamela Hemphill, a grandmother in her seventies who was jailed for taking part in the attempted insurrection at the US Capitol four years ago, has said she will “refuse” a pardon from President-elect Donald Trump once he takes office.
The incoming commander-in-chief has vowed to issue widespread presidential pardons to his supporters convicted for nonviolent offences over the infamous attack on January 6 2021.
Joe Sommerlad reports.
Dozens of Congress members outperformed the stock market in 2024. Here’s who gained the most - and why
Monday 13 January 2025 19:30
Oliver O'Connell
The stock market had a record-breaking run last year, but members of Congress still managed to outperform it with their portfolios making staggering gains in industries where they wield legislative power and influence, such as tech and energy.
More than 20 members made almost double the S&P500 average gain of 24.9 percent last year. The top five performers — Rep. David Rouzer (R-NC), Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz (D-FL), Ron Wyden (D-OR), Roger Williams (R-TX), Morgan McGarvey (D-KY) — increased the value of their portfolio value by more than 100 percent, according to a new report.
Richard Hall and Eric Garcia report.
Melania Trump packed and ready for the move back to White House
Monday 13 January 2025 19:10
AP
Incoming first lady Melania Trump says she’s packed and ready to move back into the White House, where son Barron will have a bedroom, and she plans to revive her Be Best children’s initiative.
Trump also said in a taped interview broadcast Monday on Fox News’ Fox & Friends that an upcoming documentary on her life that is set to be distributed by Amazon Prime Video later this year was her idea based on the reception to the memoir she released last year.
“So I had an idea to, to make a movie, to make a film about my life,” she said. “My life is incredible. It’s incredibly busy. And, I told my agent, you know, I have this idea, so please, you know, go out and, make a deal for me.”
Read on...
Pete Hegseth will face tough questions at Senate confirmation — including these...
Monday 13 January 2025 18:50
Oliver O'Connell
Pete Hegseth is preparing to face a panel of bipartisan senators on Tuesday who will grill him over allegations from his past and his credentials at the first of the Senate confirmation hearings.
President-elect Donald Trump has tapped Hegseth for one of the most senior jobs in the administration: secretary of defense.
But since Trump announced his unorthodox choice to head the Pentagon, serious questions have surrounded the 44-year-old Fox News host.
Rhian Lubin reports.
Trump transition team ‘under active discussion’ about California wildfire visit
Monday 13 January 2025 18:36
Oliver O'Connell
A visit to the California wildfire zone is under active discussion inside the Trump transition, sources tell @jake__traylor & me, after Gov. Newsom and other local officials he has criticized have urged the President-Elect to come see the disaster scene himself.
— Garrett Haake (@GarrettHaake) January 13, 2025
Melania Trump says she doesn’t always ‘agree with what my husband is saying or doing’
Monday 13 January 2025 18:30
Oliver O'Connell
Soon-to-be first lady Melania Trump insisted on Monday that she is “independent” and will stand up to her husband, saying she doesn’t always “agree with what Donald is saying” and she is more than “just the wife of the president.”
Justin Barangoa reports.
Full story: DOJ can publish Jack Smith report on Trump’s election interference case, judge rules
Monday 13 January 2025 18:25
Oliver O’Connell
Alex Woodward reports:
After a last-minute legal battle, Jack Smith’s final report on his criminal investigation into Donald Trump’s attempts to overturn the 2020 presidential election is one step closer to becoming public.
On Monday, Florida District Judge Aileen Cannon rejected arguments from Trump and his now-former co-defendants in the classified documents case who have tried to stop the Department of Justice from releasing the entire report.
Her decision clears the way for Attorney General Merrick Garland to partially publicly release Smith’s report once her initial three-day injunction expires at midnight Monday — less than a week before Trump returns to the White House.
Read on...
