The US Justice Department has named an independent prosecutor to oversee criminal investigations into Donald Trump.
United States Attorney General Merrick Garland. Image: Alamy Stock Photo THE US JUSTICE Department has named an independent prosecutor to oversee criminal investigations into Donald Trump.
Garland said naming a special counsel was in the public interest, because both the Republican Trump and his Democratic successor Joe Biden have stated their intention to run in 2024 – although only Trump has officially declared at this point. Trump is being investigated over a cache of government documents uncovered in an FBI raid on his south Florida home and his involvement in the 2021 assault on the US Capitol by a mob seeking to overturn the results of the 2020 election.The special counsel will determine whether the former president – who says he is a victim of political persecution – should face charges in connection with either investigation.
Even if charged, Trump can still run for president – nothing in US law bars a person charged with or convicted of a crime from doing so.