Trump's Lawyers Aim to Distance Him from Capitol Rioters in Election Interference Case

Despite Trump's public support of the rioters, his legal team argues they were 'independent actors'; prosecution to argue Trump's support shows criminal intent.

• Donald Trump's lawyers are attempting to distance him from the rioters who attacked the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021 in his election interference case, despite Trump's public support of them.
• Special counsel Jack Smith's team plans to argue that Trump is responsible for the chaos of the riot, using his continued support of the defendants to establish his criminal intent.
• Trump's lawyers are concerned that linking him to the rioters could harm his chances in front of a jury, despite Trump not being charged with inciting the riot.
• Trump's lawyers are seeking to block prosecutors from presenting evidence related to the actions of the rioters at trial.
• Trump will stand trial in the same courthouse where roughly 1,200 of his supporters have been charged in the largest investigation in Justice Department history.

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