Is the Strategy of Prosecutors to Opt for Swift Trials Compromising the Naming of Alleged Conspirators?
Former President Donald Trump was indicted on felony charges of seeking to illegally overturn the results of the 2020 election and obstructing the peaceful transition of power to President Joe Biden. However, in a notable move, the indictment did not name or charge six alleged co-conspirators, potentially indicating a desire from federal prosecutors to expedite the trial process. Legal scholars and former prosecutors suggest that naming additional defendants would lead to more defense lawyers, legal motions, and delays, making it difficult to bring Trump to trial before the final stretch of the 2024 campaign. The indictment accuses Trump and the unidentified co-conspirators of conspiring to defraud the U.S., obstruct an official proceeding, and violate the constitutional right to vote. This is the third time Trump has been charged with a criminal offense this year, with previous charges including illegally retaining top-secret documents and involvement in a hush money case. There is also the possibility of further charges in Georgia related to efforts to overturn the election results. The indictment on Tuesday alleges that Trump received assistance from six unnamed co-conspirators in his attempts to overturn the election.
