Trump’s request for Garland reunion signals indictment near: legal experts

A request from former President Donald Trump’s lawyers for a meeting with Attorney General Merrick Garland has sparked speculation that Trump could face an imminent federal criminal indictment.

Trump attorneys John Rowley and James Trusty sent a letter to Garland on Tuesday requesting a meeting to discuss the “ongoing injustice” of special counsel Jack Smith’s double investigation into the former president’s attempts to undo his loss in the 2020 presidential election and the issues surrounding his position. -the treatment by the presidency of classified documents.

“President Trump is being treated unfairly,” the lawyers wrote in the letter, which was shared by the ex-president on Truth Social. “No President of the United States has ever, in the history of our country, been baselessly investigated in such an outrageous and unlawful manner.”

“We request a meeting at the earliest opportunity to discuss the continuing injustice perpetrated by your special advocate and his prosecutors,” they continued.

Legal experts reacted to the letter by suggesting that the request could indicate that Trump, the Republican leading candidate in the 2024 presidential election, will soon be charged with federal crimes.

The former president already faces 34 counts of state-level business document falsification, with his trial in New York set to begin during the presidential primary season next year. He pleaded not guilty.

“You don’t send your lawyers to meet with a prosecutor who has no intention of indicting you,” tweeted attorney Tristan Snell, former New York State Assistant Attorney General. “If Trump’s lawyers are asking for a meeting, it’s because the DOJ has let Trump know he’s a target and he’s about to be indicted.”

“The request from Trump’s lawyers to meet with the DOJ is a request to meet with MERRICK GARLAND himself,” Snell added in a later statement. Tweeter. “That may mean that Special Counsel Jack Smith has ALREADY made a charging decision – and it’s just up to Garland to give final approval to seek Trump’s indictment.”

“A federal indictment is close,” said Andrew Weissmann, a former Department of Justice (DOJ) official. tweeted in response to a tweet from journalist Kyle Cheney, who was commenting on a report by The Wall Street Journal which says that Smith was “finishing” his investigation of the classified documents.

“You don’t do this unless you think indictments are imminent,” said national security attorney Bradley P. Moss. tweeted while sharing the letter from Trump’s lawyers.

“One thing to remember as we spin our wheels on Trump’s letter: He inaccurately predicted the timing of his Manhattan arraignment by several weeks,” Moss added in a later statement. Tweeter. “Maybe they’re expecting indictments this week. Maybe they’re taking the leap. Either way, it looks like things will happen soon.”

Newsweek emailed Trump’s office and the DOJ for comment.

Trump has repeatedly denounced Smith, Garland and the DOJ, denying any wrongdoing and saying he was the victim of a political “witch hunt” and “election interference” over his 2024 ambitions.

In addition to potential federal charges, a grand jury investigation into Trump’s attempts to reverse his 2020 loss to Georgia could also lead to criminal charges against the former president.

He also faces multiple civil lawsuits, having already been found liable in the libel trial of former journalist E. Jean Carroll this month.