Donald Trump: Investigations and lawsuits involving former President

On Feb 12, 2022

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Trump is being sued by lawmakers and police officers, his niece Mary Trump, magazine writer E. Jean Carroll, whose rape accusation he denies, and his former attorney Michael Cohen who’s already served jail time. The New York state attorney general and Manhattan district attorney are looking at his company. And several congressional committees still want to see his tax returns.

The committee has issued at least 80 subpoenas requesting testimony or phone records from close Trump advisers, including Rudy Giuliani and former White House chief of staff Mark Meadows, “Stop the Steal” rally organizers and former White House staffers.

Of special interest, according to CNN reporting, are Trump’s activities on January 6 and the efforts to use the levers of government to overturn the election.

The committee also has records related to January 6 from the Trump White House, after the Supreme Court rejected the former President’s attempt to block the transfer from the National Archives.

Public hearings are expected this spring and a report should be issued later this year. It’s also possible the committee will make formal recommendations to the Justice Department for criminal prosecution.

January 6: Lawsuits by Democratic lawmakers and police officers

Several Democratic congressmen have accused Trump and Giuliani of conspiring with far-right groups Proud Boys and Oath Keepers to incite the attacks. Separately, California Democratic Rep. Eric Swalwell sued Trump, Giuliani, Donald Trump Jr. and GOP Rep. Mo Brooks, claiming their speeches on January 6, 2021, incited the riot.

Assessing Trump's risk if he mishandled White House documents

Several members of the US Capitol Police and Washington, DC Metropolitan Police are also suing the former President, saying Trump’s words and actions incited the riot. Various cases accuse Trump of directing assault and battery; aiding and abetting assault and battery; and violating local Washington, DC, laws that prohibit incitement of riots and disorderly conduct.

Trump and his top advisers have not been charged with any crimes. Trump and others who are sued have argued they are not responsible for the actions of the people who stormed the Capitol.

White House documents: Moved to Mar-a-Lago? Classified? Flushed?

The National Archives, charged with collecting and sorting presidential material, says at least 15 boxes of White House records were recovered from Trump’s Mar-a-Lago resort — including records that may have been classified.

It’s been widely reported that Trump would also rip up documents in the White House, but The New York Times’ Maggie Haberman has reported that that some may have been flushed down toilets. (Trump has denied this.)

Any unauthorized retention or destruction of White House documents raises a red flag under a criminal law that prohibits the removal or destruction of official government records, legal experts tell CNN.

The Justice Department has not decided whether to formally launch an investigation, sources briefed on the matter say.

2020 Election: Efforts to overturn…