A recent report by Raw Story on December 5, 2023, details emerged about how prosecutor Smith plans to spotlight Trump’s 2016 election fraud assertions, framing them as the groundwork for his challenges to the 2020 election.
Smith argues that Trump’s statements during the 2016 campaign created mistrust in election results, laying the foundation for subsequent efforts to contest the 2020 outcome.
This laid the foundation for the defendant’s criminal efforts, said Smith, emphasizing Trump’s historical record of making such claims.
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Citing a tweet from October 17, 2016, where Trump alleged election fraud, Smith argues these claims are part of a pattern to falsely blame fraud for undesired election results.
Furthermore, Smith plans to highlight Trump’s response during a 2016 presidential debate when asked about accepting election results. Trump’s I’ll keep you in suspense is seen as indicative of his motive to obstruct the 2020 election results’ certification.
Smith also aims to bring attention to Trump’s voter fraud claims in the 2012 election and a September 2020 media interview expressing skepticism about a peaceful transition of power, forming a consistent pattern of behavior.
Leading two of the four criminal cases against Trump, Smith accuses him of conspiring to defraud the U.S. and corruptly concealing a document. Trump, in response, has pleaded not guilty to both charges.
Smith argues that Trump’s past election fraud comments serve as crucial evidence of motive, intent, and a plan to overturn the 2020 election results. This becomes a central focus in the ongoing legal battle against the former president.
By presenting Trump’s past statements as part of a broader strategy, Smith aims to strengthen the case against the former president, connecting historical claims to the alleged motive and intent behind Trump’s actions during the 2020 election.
As legal proceedings unfold, these historical instances not only shape the narrative around Trump’s alleged election interference but also emphasize the broader implications of perpetuating baseless claims about the democratic process.
