Trump indicted for attempt to overturn '20 presidential poll

It is the third criminal prosecution of the former US president as he makes his latest run for the White House

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Donald Trump has been indicted in Washington on federal charges over his efforts to overturn the 2020 presidential election, the third politically explosive criminal prosecution of the former president as he makes his latest run for the White House.

Trump, 77, was charged with conspiracy to defraud the US, conspiracy to obstruct an official proceeding, obstruction of and attempt to obstruct an official proceeding, and conspiracy against the right to vote and have that vote counted, according to the indictment filed Tuesday in federal court.

The charges from Special Counsel John "Jack" Smith's office can carry penalties of as much as 20 years in prison, but Trump would likely face far less than the maximum penalties if convicted since he doesn't have a criminal record. Trump has been instructed to appear in court at 4p.m. on 3 August.

"The attack on our nation's Capitol on 6 January 2021 was an unprecedented assault on the seat of American democracy," Smith told reporters after the indictment Tuesday. "Described in the indictment, it was fuelled by lies.

Lies by the defendant." He said the justice department was asking for a speedy trial and that the investigation of "other individuals" is continuing.

The indictment alleges Trump for months knowingly spread lies about the election being rigged in order to undermine public faith in the vote and remain in power.

"These claims were false, and the defendant knew they were false," the government said in the indictment.