Former President Donald Trump is facing his third indictment, this time in connection with his efforts to overturn his 2020 election loss. On Tuesday, a federal grand jury handed down charges that include conspiracy to defraud the United States, conspiracy to obstruct an official proceeding, obstruction of and attempt to obstruct an official proceeding, and conspiracy against rights. Trump has vehemently denied all wrongdoing, claiming political persecution.

The indictment has sparked a divided reaction among Trump's fellow White House contenders. Former Vice President Mike Pence, who played a key role in the investigation into the January 6th attack on the Capitol, stated that the indictment serves as a reminder that anyone who puts themselves over the Constitution should never be President of the United States. Florida Governor Ron DeSantis and biotech entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy have expressed the need for reform within the justice system. Former Arkansas Governor Asa Hutchinson called on Trump to step away from the campaign for the good of the country.

President Joe Biden has remained silent on the indictment, with the White House referring questions to the Justice Department. However, Democratic presidential candidate Marianne Williamson called the indictment shocking.

The federal grand jury in Washington accuses Trump of waging a "criminal scheme" to undermine the election results. The indictment alleges that he tapped fake electors, pressured the Justice Department, and repeatedly made false claims of voter fraud. The indictment states that Trump knew these claims were false but repeated them to erode public faith in the election administration.

Trump's campaign has criticized the new charges, likening them to a witch hunt. Trump himself called the charges a "pile on" and vowed to fight and win. Federal officials have defended their work, emphasizing that the indictment is only an allegation, and that the defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty.

The reaction on Capitol Hill has been swift and divided along party lines. Republican leaders have come to Trump's defense, accusing the Department of Justice of political weaponization. They claim that the indictment is meant to distract from Republican investigations into the Biden family. Democrats, on the other hand, have called the indictment a serious development and stated that Trump must be held responsible if found guilty. They have linked the charges to the January 6th attack on the Capitol and called for justice to be done according to the facts and the law.

Prosecutor Jack Smith, who is leading the case against Trump, called the events of January 6th an unprecedented assault on democracy fueled by lies. The indictment alleges that Trump spread false claims of election fraud and enlisted co-conspirators to assist in his efforts to overturn the election. It also accuses Trump of attempting to use the power of the Justice Department and pressuring Vice President Pence to alter the election results. The indictment makes it clear that Pence is a key witness in the case.

Trump has been summoned to appear before a magistrate judge on Thursday. His campaign has labeled the indictment as a corrupt attempt to interfere with the 2024 Presidential Election and questioned why it took two and a half years to bring the charges. They have also stated that Trump always followed the law with advice from highly accomplished attorneys.