USA TODAY has debunked other claims related to Trump's classified documents probe, including baseless assertions that Garland stripped Trump's right to run in the 2024 election and that Biden ordered the FBI's search of Trump's Mar-a-Lago estate. White House Principal Deputy Press Secretary Olivia Dalton also told reporters on June 9 that Biden learned of Trump's indictment through news reports and had “no advance knowledge” it was coming. When Biden was asked during a June 9 press briefing what he would say to Americans to convince them to trust the independence and fairness of the Justice Department, he stated he had no influence over the department's decision to indict Trump. There has been nothing in the public record to hint that the White House has tried to influence the investigation of Trump, Scholl said. After a months-long investigation, Smith made the decision to indict Trump. Under federal statute, that authority is reserved for federal prosecutors, who must present evidence and convince a grand jury to move forward with an indictment.įact check: Trump can run in 2024 even if charged in classified documents caseĪttorney General Merrick Garland appointed federal prosecutor Smith in November 2022 as special counsel to oversee Trump’s classified documents probe. The president does not have the power under the Constitution to charge anyone with a crime, according to Marc Scholl, who served as a criminal prosecutor in New York. The video also does not provide evidence of Biden's involvement. Trump was indicted June 8 by a federal grand jury on several felony charges related to his alleged mishandling of classified documents kept at his Mar-a-Lago estate after he left the White House in 2021, as USA TODAY reported.īut contrary to the post’s claim, Biden had nothing to do with Trump’s indictment, according to Michael Bachner, a former Manhattan assistant district attorney. Legal experts say Biden did not play a role in Trump's indictment In the classified documents probe, Justice Department special counsel Jack Smith made the decision to indict Trump, not Biden. That authority lies with federal prosecutors. Legal experts said President Joe Biden does not have the authority to bring criminal charges against anyone. Similar posts have generated hundreds of interactions on Instagram and Facebook.įollow us on Facebook! Like our page to get updates throughout the day on our latest debunks Our rating: False The video was viewed more than 2,000 times in less than a week. "Biden ORDERS Trump Indictment Today!- FBI Surrenders Evidence To GOP - Feds PANIC In DC," reads the video's caption. Watch Video: Joe Biden says he had no influence over Donald Trump's indictment The claim: Biden ordered Trump's indictmentĪ June 9 Facebook video ( direct link, archive link) shows conservative commentator Benny Johnson discussing former President Donald Trump's indictment in the classified documents probe.
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