The accusations are connected to investigations surrounding the aftermath of the 2020 presidential election and the events that culminated in the January 6 United States Capitol attack. Prosecutors contend that the alleged actions were part of an effort to obstruct the certification of the election results and challenge the legitimacy of the democratic process. Legal scholars note that charges such as conspiracy to defraud the United States and obstruction of an official proceeding are among the most serious allegations ever filed against a former American president.
