**WASHINGTON** — Special Counsel Jack Smith has filed a superseding indictment against former President Donald Trump in his ongoing federal election interference case. This new indictment maintains the original charges but has been revised to align with the recent Supreme Court ruling on presidential immunity.
The superseding indictment, presented to a new grand jury that had not previously heard evidence in this case, reflects adjustments made to comply with the Supreme Court's decision. This ruling, delivered last month, granted Trump immunity from criminal prosecution for official acts performed while in office and instructed the lower court to reassess which charges could proceed.
Trump had initially pleaded not guilty to charges that he orchestrated a "criminal scheme" to overturn the 2020 election results. The revised indictment eliminates references to Trump's use of the Department of Justice (DOJ), a key component in the original indictment, following the Supreme Court's indication that such actions were within his official duties.
The new indictment shifts the focus away from the DOJ, which was mentioned over 30 times in the previous document, and reframes allegations regarding Trump's knowledge of election fraud claims. While the original indictment detailed how various federal officials, including the Vice President and DOJ members, had informed Trump that his claims were unfounded, the superseding indictment now states that Trump was aware his claims were false but continued to promote them.
Critical aspects of the original indictment, such as allegations about Trump's inaction during the Capitol riot and his refusal to call off rioters, have been removed. The new document also clarifies when Trump acted outside his official presidential capacity, emphasizing his role as a candidate rather than President in certain instances.
The revised indictment spans 36 pages, down from 45 in the original, and comes shortly after Smith's recent push to reverse a federal judge's dismissal of Trump's classified documents case.
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