Donald Trump indicted for alleged efforts to overturn results of 2020 presidential election

Federal criminal charges were filed against former President Donald Trump on Tuesday for his efforts to overturn his defeat in the 2020 US election and the insurrection at the US Capitol on January 6. 

Trump was indicted on four counts, including conspiracy to defraud the US and witness tampering.

The former US president was summoned to appear in federal court in Washington D.C. on Thursday. Prosecutor Jack Smith said he will seek a "speedy trial" in the case. 

He already faces dozens of federal charges in Florida over the retention of sensitive government records he kept at his Mar-a-Lago mansion.

He also faces separate charges in New York following an investigation into hush money allegedly paid to adult film star Stormy Daniels.

Trump has pleaded not guilty to all charges in those ongoing cases.

Trump also faces investigation in Georgia over his efforts overturn the 2020 election results in that state. 

Biden silent on Trump indictment

The White House and President Joe Biden declined to comment following the announcement of the indictment.

"We would refer you to the Justice Department, which conducts its criminal investigations independently," White House spokesperson Ian Sams said.

Biden did not respond to reporter's questions on the same issue.

The comments on Tuesday follow a similar White House statement from last week.

"The Department of Justice is independent," White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre told reporters last Friday.

"You hear us say this all the time: We believe in the rule of law. The president has been very consistent on that."