Fact Check: "Indictment totals from 2020 election scandal rival Watergate and Iran-Contra."
What We Know
The claim suggests that the number of indictments related to the 2020 election scandal involving former President Donald Trump is comparable to those from the Watergate and Iran-Contra scandals. As of July 1, 2024, Trump's indictments include charges related to conspiracy to overturn the 2020 election results, which involved spreading false claims of election fraud (source-1). In contrast, the Watergate scandal led to 69 indictments, resulting in 48 convictions, while the Iran-Contra affair involved 14 indictments, with 11 convictions (source-2).
Analysis
While the claim that indictment totals from the 2020 election scandal rival those of Watergate and Iran-Contra is partially true, it requires careful consideration of the context and specifics of each scandal. The Watergate scandal, which culminated in President Nixon's resignation, involved a series of illegal activities, including a break-in at the Democratic National Committee headquarters, leading to a significant number of indictments and convictions (source-2).
In comparison, Trump's indictments stem from allegations of attempting to undermine the electoral process, which, while serious, have not yet resulted in a comparable number of legal actions. As of now, the total number of indictments related to Trump's actions surrounding the 2020 election is still developing, and it remains to be seen how many will lead to convictions (source-1).
Moreover, the credibility of sources discussing these events varies. NPR, for instance, features insights from legal experts like Jill Wine-Banks, who provides a historical perspective on the severity of Trump's actions compared to Nixon's (source-2). This lends a degree of reliability to the analysis, as it draws on historical context and expert opinion.
Conclusion
The claim is Partially True. While the number of indictments related to the 2020 election scandal is significant, it does not yet rival the totals from the Watergate and Iran-Contra scandals, which involved more established legal outcomes. The ongoing nature of Trump's legal battles means that the final tally of indictments and their implications remains uncertain. Thus, while the comparison is valid in terms of the seriousness of the allegations, it lacks the historical weight of the previous scandals in terms of total indictments and convictions at this point.
