In a special breaking News Coverage continues now. The third criminal indictment of former President Donald Trump. Im erin burnett in new york. And im laura coates in washington, d. C. This indictment is like nothing weve ever actually seen before in history of this entire country. And looking at it In Black And White is absolutely extraordinary. It begins with this, everyone. Quote, the defendant, donald j trump, was the 45th president of the United States, and a candidate for reelection in 2020. The defendant lost the 2020 president ial election. And as you say, laura, it begins that way with those simple words, he lost. That is a fact. But of course the person who had sworn to preserve, protect, and defend the constitution, instead tonight is accused in this 45page indictment of trying to overthrow Americas Free and Fair Elections in an attempt to stay in power. It has been 1001 days since the 2021 election exactly. It has been day since the very sixth attack on the capital. It is n
2 1 2 years after a mob of his supporters attacked the u. S. Capitol, donald j. Trump has been charged in the effort to overturn the election he lost which culminated in such violence to people, property and democracy that day. If you are just joining us, im here in new york alongside jake tapper In Washington and Kaitlin Collins outside the d. C. Federal courthouse where the former president will be arraigned thursday afternoon. Anderson, we just heard from the d. C. Metro police, the department saying they are working with federal Law Enforcement in preparation for the arraignment on thursday. As for Special Counsel jack smith from whom we last heard after the first of now two federal indictments in the documents case, he spoke again briefly this evening. Take a listen. The attack on our Nations Capital on january 6th, 2021 was an unprecedented assault on the seat of american democracy. Its described in the indictment, it was fueled by lies. Lies by the defendant, targeted at obstruc
But i m not sure they actually want to do that. but we ll see. we can also make the argument if you believe your client is innocent, why not clear his name before the election? yeah. we ll see what they ll decide to. do pollard, i m sure we ll be here on thursday. thank you. kaitlan, it seems like we re always saying this data that has been historic, but perhaps we ll find the best way to describe this knowing the next one is just days away. and it is thursday, just two days from now, whether in person or by video link. a former american president will face charges for doing what no president has ever been accused of before. and of course we will be there when he does. right now the news is going to continue. thank you so much for joining us, we want to turn things over to cnn prime time with laura coats and erin burnett.