As former U.S. President Donald Trump seeks the Republican nomination for the upcoming November 5th U.S. election, he finds himself ensnared in a myriad of legal battles, both criminal and civil.
Amid the mounting charges and allegations, he is denying any wrongdoing and calling them politically motivated attacks
Below is an overview of the major legal cases unfolding around Trump.
Special Counsel’s Election Subversion Charges
Trump, on August 3, 2023, entered a plea of not guilty to charges brought forth by Special Counsel Jack Smith in federal court in Washington, accusing him of conspiring to defraud the United States by attempting to overturn his 2020 election loss to Democrat Joe Biden.
The indictment alleges Trump’s role in orchestrating efforts to prevent Congress from certifying Biden’s victory and undermining the electoral process. Despite Trump’s plea, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit recently rejected his claim of immunity from criminal charges, setting the stage for a potential trial.
New York Attorney General Civil Lawsuit
New York Attorney General Letitia James filed a civil fraud lawsuit against Trump and his family real estate business, the Trump Organization, on September 21, 2022.
The lawsuit alleges a decade-long pattern of inflating property values to secure favorable terms from lenders and insurers.
Justice Arthur Engoron presided over a trial, concluding that Trump committed repeated fraud, potentially impacting his financial holdings. Trump, meanwhile, has accused James of bias, setting the stage for a contentious legal battle.
On Friday, Feb. 16, 2024 Trump was fined in excess of $350 million in the contentious civil fraud case.
The ruling also came with an embargo that prohibits the presumptive Republican presidential nominee from doing business in New York for three years.
Trump’s sons Donald Trump Jr. and Eric Trump were also handed $4 million fines each. They are also barred from acting as a director of a company in New York for two years.
Georgia Election-Subversion Charges
On August 31, 2023, Trump pleaded not guilty to state criminal charges in Georgia, arising from his efforts to reverse his 2020 election loss to Biden.
The indictment accuses Trump of pressuring state officials to overturn the election results and orchestrating fraudulent slates of electors.
Trump and his co-defendants face charges under Georgia’s Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations (RICO) Act, with the case highlighting the broader implications of electoral integrity and legal accountability.
Special Counsel’s Classified Documents Charges
Trump faces another charge of unlawfully retaining classified national security documents, brought by Special Counsel Jack Smith in federal court in south Florida.
The indictment alleges Trump’s mishandling of sensitive information after leaving office, risking national security.
With a trial date yet to be determined, the case underscores the gravity of safeguarding classified materials and the legal consequences of misconduct.
Charges Over ‘Hush Money’ to Porn Star
Trump pleaded not guilty on April 4, 2023, to charges of falsifying business records related to hush money payments made to porn star Stormy Daniels before the 2016 presidential election.
The indictment alleges Trump’s attempts to conceal payments, marking a significant legal milestone as the first former U.S. president to face criminal charges. With a trial set for March 25, the case highlights issues of campaign finance violations and accountability in electoral processes.
Sexual Abuse and Defamation Civil Lawsuits
In a separate legal battle, Trump faces civil lawsuits related to allegations of sexual abuse and defamation. Jury verdicts have held Trump liable for defamation against writer E. Jean Carroll, ordering him to pay millions in damages.
These cases shed light on broader issues of accountability and justice in matters of sexual misconduct.
As Trump navigates this legal labyrinth, the outcomes of these cases could have far-reaching implications for his political future and the broader landscape of American democracy.
