Trump attorneys meet with federal prosecutors in special counsel's office
Washington — Attorneys for former President Donald Trump met Thursday morning with federal prosecutors in the special counsel's office in Washington, D.C., according to two sources familiar with the meeting.
For months, Trump, his attorneys and his political apparatus have been preparing for the possibility of a third criminal indictment related to the special counsel's Jan. 6 probe. In this case, special counsel Jack Smith and a grand jury have been investigating attempts to interfere with the peaceful transfer of power after the 2020 presidential election.
ABC News first reported Thursday's meeting, which Trump himself later confirmed on Truth Social, his social media platform.
"My attorneys had a productive meeting with the DOJ this morning, explaining in detail that I did nothing wrong, was advised by many lawyers, and that an Indictment of me would only further destroy our Country," Trump wrote, claiming, "No indication of notice was given during the meeting — Do not trust the Fake News on anything!"
Last week, Trump revealed on social media that he had received a letter indicating he is a target of the investigation into efforts to interfere with the results of the election and peaceful transfer of power. At the time, a senior Trump source confirmed the former president had received the target letter on Sunday, July 16, and was informed that he had the right to appear before the grand jury within four days. In his previous two indictments, Trump declined the offer. The letter was seen as an indication that the investigation is nearing the final stages.
The letter highlighted three federal statutes, according to a source: conspiracy to commit an offense or to defraud the U.S.; a statute that indicates potential charges ranging from obstruction of an official proceeding to tampering with a witness; and a civil rights law.
The obstruction-related statute is a common charge for defendants in the Justice Department's probe into the Jan. 6 Capitol attack.
The possibility of an indictment in the Jan. 6 investigation comes on the heels of the federal grand jury indictment in June over the former president's handling of classified records, a matter that is also being investigated by the special counsel. A federal judge has set a May 2024 date for that trial. Trump also faces state criminal charges in New York over a "hush money" payment to adult film star Stormy Daniels in 2016.
And in Fulton County, Georgia, a special purpose grand jury earlier this year wrapped up its investigation into alleged attempts by Trump and his allies to overturn the 2020 presidential election results in Georgia. Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis has said she would announce decisions on possible charges related to that investigation this summer.