In a shockingly bold move, Special Counsel Jack Smith appears to be setting his sights on a new target: Donald Trump’s legal fundraising efforts. This development is part of the ongoing federal case alleging election interference by the former President, and it’s causing quite the stir in political circles.
Smith has hinted at the possibility of bringing a slew of new charges against Trump, the latest of which involves accusations that he improperly raised political funds to probe the voting machines he claimed illicitly counted non-existent votes for President Joe Biden in several states.
This explosive revelation comes after invoices obtained by CNN revealed that Smith is scrutinizing the non-profit organization of ex-Trump attorney Sydney Powell, Defending the Republic. This group raised funds after the contentious 2020 election to inspect voting machines in Georgia, Pennsylvania, Michigan, and Arizona – all states won by Biden.
Powell, already facing charges from Democratic Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis for allegedly conspiring to rig voting machines, may soon find herself in Smith’s crosshairs too. Sources close to Smith’s investigation have indicated that witnesses are being questioned about how Powell’s non-profit raised money to fund various legal challenges by Trump’s team as they sought stays, recounts, and numerous maneuvers to prevent the certification of electors whom they claimed were chosen based on fraudulent elections.
The invoices obtained by CNN show that Defending the Republic raised and spent millions of dollars towards these ends. Despite these allegations, Powell maintains her innocence, insisting she did not participate in the illegal accessing of ballot machines in Georgia where she has been charged.
While post-election legal challenges are nothing new and legal defense funds have long been a staple of presidential campaigns, the Biden Justice Department’s charging of Powell, President Trump, and dozens of others signifies their intent to portray these attempts to challenge the election results as crossing the line from protected free speech and legal actions into illegal territory.
Smith has already charged President Trump with producing alternate electors whom he claimed could replace those in states where he believed voting machines malfunctioned. Trump famously petitioned former Vice President Mike Pence to delay certification of electors, a request Pence refused.
As part of his ongoing case against Trump, Smith is invoking Civil War-era laws to allege that the Republican leader used his position to incite a riot on January 6th, leading to supporters breaching the Capitol.
This new development in the case against Trump has sent shockwaves through the political landscape, demonstrating the lengths to which the opposition will go to discredit the former President. As the case unfolds, one thing is clear: this saga is far from over.