Special Counsel Jack Smith on Tuesday revealed certain evidence he intends to introduce in former President Donald Trump’s 2020 election trial.
The evidence includes tweets dating back to 2012, Trump’s support of individuals who were present at the Capitol on Jan. 6 and a statement Trump made at the 2020 presidential debate. Smith’s filing, which includes some redacted portions, says the evidence is intended “to establish [Trump’s] motive, intent, preparation, knowledge, absence of mistake, and common plan” at his March trial on charges relating to his alleged efforts to overturn the results of the 2020 election. Smith’s plans must be approved by Judge Tanya Chutkan.
Trump has a “historical record” of making false election claims, the filing states, citing this as evidence of “his motive, intent, and plan to obstruct the certification of the 2020 election results and illegitimately retain power.”
“For example, as early as November 2012, the defendant issued a public tweet making baseless claims that voting machines had switched votes from then candidate Romney to then-candidate Obama,” the filing states. “During the 2016 presidential campaign, the defendant claimed repeatedly, with no basis, that there was widespread voter fraud—including through public statements and tweets (for instance, on