July 18, 2023 10:32 AM UTC

Indictment #3? Trump Says Investigators Closing in Again

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• by: Colorado Pols

As The Washington Post reports:

Former president Donald Trump said Tuesday morning that he received a letter from the Justice Department saying that he is the target of the long-running investigation into efforts to overturn the 2020 presidential election.

Trump wrote on social media that special counsel Jack Smith — the prosecutor leading the federal investigation — sent a letter on Sunday.

A spokesman for Smith declined to comment.

The target letter and potential indictment further ensnares Trump in unprecedented legal peril as he campaigns as the front-runner to be the 2024 Republican nominee for president.

Trump has already been indicted on federal charges in a separate case alleging that he mishandled classified documents. And in March, a Manhattan grand jury indicted Trump on state charges, alleging that he falsified records related to hush money payments to adult-film actress Stormy Daniels during the 2016 presidential campaign. The district attorney in Fulton County, Ga., is leading an ongoing state investigation related to the 2020 election and has said she will make a charging decision in the case next month.

You can read Trump’s full bonkers statement issued via “Truth Social” after the jump. The former President seems to enjoy breaking even bad news about himself; remember, Trump announced to the world that he was being indicted for hiding classified documents all over Mar-a-Lago.

As the Post notes, “a target letter from prosecutors means investigators have gathered substantial evidence linking the recipient to a crime — but it does not necessarily mean charges will ultimately be brought.” Trump claims that he was asked in the letter if he wishes to testify in front of a grand jury this week (a Trump spokesperson says he will not appear).

Two former Qanon buddies and now frenemies — Reps. Marjorie Taylor Greene of Georgia and Colorado’s own Rep. Lauren Boebert — wasted no time issuing their own silly statements. The tone is very similar to their complaints a month ago:

However, it appears that even semi-serious Republicans such as House Speaker Kevin McCarthy have decided to back Trump with their own ridiculous rhetoric:

McCarthy suggests that Trump is about to be indicted again because his poll numbers went up pic.twitter.com/V0TFTxiANi

— Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) July 18, 2023

Yeah, THAT’S what’s happening. It’s interesting to note, however, that McCarthy’s quick defense of Trump might reflect that Republicans are increasingly resigned to the fact that Trump is likely going to be the Republican Presidential nominee in 2024.

We’ll update as more information becomes available.