The other three Trump investigations

The Manhattan case isn't Trump's only legal problem.

In the coming months, Donald Trump's growing legal troubles could get even worse. At least three investigations could lead to further criminal charges against him.

Federal officials are investigating both Trump's handling of classified documents and his efforts to quash the 2020 election, culminating in the 6 attack on the Capitol. Separately, a grand jury in Georgia could indict Trump by September for his attempts to alter the state's election results. Each of these charges could result in a prison sentence.

Charges are not warranted. "It's certainly possible there will be more indictments," my colleague Alan Feuer, who covers federal investigations, told me. "But it's also certainly possible that there isn't."

A trial or conviction also wouldn't necessarily bar Trump from running for office. the Presidency. He may not be tried or convicted until the 2024 election. He may campaign from prison, as socialist candidate Eugene Debs did in 1920. Some jurists believe he may even try to govern from prison, if he won the presidency.

Trump is already the first president, current or former, to be charged with a crime. The Manhattan District Attorney charged him with an unlawful scheme to cover up possible sex scandals in 2016. And last month, a jury found Trump liable in a $5 million civil case for sexual abuse and defamation.

Today's newsletter will focus on the three additional investigations to help you prepare for potential news in the months ahead.

Documents in Mar-a-Lago

The case of classified documents may be about to be concluded. In August, an F.B.I. A search of Trump's Florida home revealed more than 100 classified documents believed to remain in government possession. The Justice Department is trying to determine if Trump withheld documents after receiving a subpoena ordering him to return them.

Potential evidence in the case, Revealed this week: Prosecutors have a recording of Trump discussing a sensitive military document he kept after leaving the White House that he admitted was not previously declassified.

It's not that unusual for officials to misplace classified documents or keep them at home, often by accident. Such documents have been found in the homes of President Biden and former Vice President Mike Pence. What is unusual about Trump is his efforts to keep the documents after federal officials demanded them. These efforts could expose him to obstruction of justice charges.

There are several reasons why prosecutors might not indict Trump. The underlying offense – the mishandling of classified documents – is often solved without charge; officials dismiss cases and prosecutors move on. And since any charges against Trump could lead to a fierce political backlash, the Justice Department may deem the cost of prosecution too high. take behind the scenes at Mar-a-Lago.)

The January 6 attack

The other federal investigation focuses on Trump's efforts to stay in power after having lost the 2020 election.< /p>

Part of the investigation may focus on whether Trump incited violence on January 6. On social media and at his rallies, he falsely claimed to have won the 2020 election and demanded state officials alter the results in his favor. In late December 2020, Trump called for a "wild" protest on January 6, 2021. At a rally that morning, he ordered the crowd to "fight like hell" and march on the Capitol. After they got violent, he waited for hours before asking them to go home.

Prosecutors also charged hundreds of other suspects in the attack and may feel compelled to charge the person they see as the main instigator.