According to CNN, John Lauro, the newest member of former President Donald Trump’s legal team, asserted in a Fox News interview that there is no reason for Trump to appear before a federal grand jury investigating the aftermath of the 2020 election. Lauro stated that Trump “did absolutely nothing wrong” and argued that the special counsel, Jack Smith, who is leading the investigation, is part of a politicized Biden Justice Department targeting the former president.
The investigation is centered on possible violations of the law related to conspiracy and obstruction of the congressional proceeding on January 6, 2021, and includes potential charges under statutes pertaining to deprivation of rights, conspiracy, and tampering with a witness. The target letter sent to Trump cited these three statutes, raising the possibility of charges being brought against him.
Lauro defended Trump’s actions following his election loss, stating that the former president merely asked for an audit or recertification in contested states. He argued that requesting an audit should not lead to an indictment and emphasized that Trump’s actions were not criminal.
Trump has already been indicted twice this year on separate cases. Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg charged him with 34 counts of falsifying business records, while special counsel Jack Smith charged him with 37 counts in the classified documents investigation. Trump pleaded not guilty in both cases.
Despite the target letter and the ongoing investigation, Trump has expressed his belief that the probe is tantamount to “election interference” and called it a “disgrace.” He has used the situation to fundraise for his campaign.
Lauro stated that if he appears in court on Trump’s behalf, he will represent the “sovereign citizens of this country who deserve to hear the truth.” Additionally, he intends to request that cameras be allowed in the courtroom in Washington, DC, in the event of an indictment of the former president there.
“There’s no need to appear in front of any grand jury right now,” Lauro said. “President Trump did absolutely nothing wrong. He’s done nothing criminal.”
“The bottom line is that the special prosecutor, which is really the Biden Justice Department, is after President Trump and that’s the focus.
The only thing that President Trump asked is a pause in the counting so those seven contested states could either re-audit or recertify,” Lauro said of Trump’s actions following his election loss. “I’ve never heard of anyone get indicted for asking for an audit.”
