--- title: As the Justice Department Investigates Trump, What Will Happen with the Midterm Elections? description: The Justice Department’s investigation of Donald Trump has brought a slew of new evidence, recriminations, and controversy. image: https://www.grassrootspulse.com/hubfs/Trump%20featured%20image.jpg --- [![Grassrotos Pulse](https://www.grassrootspulse.com/hs-fs/hubfs/grassroots%20pulse%20logo%20-%20minimal%20version%20PNG-1.png?width=3397&height=366&name=grassroots%20pulse%20logo%20-%20minimal%20version%20PNG-1.png "Grassrotos Pulse")](https://www.grassrootspulse.com/) - [Home](https://www.grassrootspulse.com) - [News](https://www.grassrootspulse.com/news) - [About](https://www.grassrootspulse.com/about) - [Contact](https://www.grassrootspulse.com/contact) [How Effective is COVID-19 Economic Stimulus?](https://www.grassrootspulse.com/covid-19-economic-stimulus-white-paper/) # As the Justice Department Investigates Trump, What Will Happen with the Midterm Elections? [Grassroots Pulse Staff](https://www.grassrootspulse.com/news/author/grassroots-pulse-staff) October 27, 2022 ###### [Insider,](https://www.grassrootspulse.com/news/tag/insider) [Donald Trump,](https://www.grassrootspulse.com/news/tag/donald-trump) [Elections,](https://www.grassrootspulse.com/news/tag/elections) [Studies,](https://www.grassrootspulse.com/news/tag/studies) [Politics,](https://www.grassrootspulse.com/news/tag/politics) [Featured](https://www.grassrootspulse.com/news/tag/featured) Throughout the summer and the start of the fall, the Justice Department’s investigation of Donald Trump has brought a slew of new evidence, recriminations, and controversy. But are these hearings a necessary step towards accountability – or a politically-motivated ruse?   However, one thing is certain for both camps: the hearings’ revelations will move voters deeper into their respective camps and could easily [push the votes’ final tally](https://edition.cnn.com/2022/07/25/politics/trump-jan-6-committee-midterms/index.html). ## **The State of the Investigation: What Happened on January 6th?** On January 6th, 2021, a mob of armed men broke into Washington D.C.’s Capitol and attempted to prevent Congress from counting the Electoral College votes. This day left five people dead and a frightening scar on America’s political institutions. Ultimately, the rioters’ end goal was to overturn the results of the 2020 election, which Donald Trump lost. Over 200 people have been charged with federal offenses due to their participation in this failed insurrection. Starting in March 2022, the Justice Department began investigating the extent of Donald Trump’s involvement in organizing and inciting these riots. So far, Congress has held three hearings as new evidence and testimonies emerged. The latest, which began in early September, is strikingly close to the upcoming midterm elections. Most GOP leaders have publicly disavowed the insurrection and have distanced themselves from the far-right organizations that took part in it. However, many voters have not dissolved the association in their minds – and by November, many will likely keep it. ## **What Could Happen to Trump (and his Campaign)?** Currently, the Congressional panel in charge of the investigations hasn’t decided whether to file any criminal charges against Donald Trump. If they were to charge him *and* he’s found guilty of any major offenses (which is a big, unlikely if), former president Trump could be looking at a [prison sentence of over ten years](https://www.vox.com/policy-and-politics/23306941/donald-trump-crimes-criminal-investigation-mar-a-lago-fbi-january-6-election-georgia-new-york). And yet, Trump himself seems unfazed by this. In rallies around the country, he has openly admitted his desire to run again in 2024. And while the Constitution doesn’t bar any U.S.-born citizen from running for office due to prior convictions, some rules would bar him from serving in non-elected federal offices. For many within his own Party, an official Trump candidacy would be a mixed bag. On one side, Trump would be less likely to serve jail time, as it would look like political persecution. On the other, if he faces no repercussions, it would set a precedent that would run against national interests and help mobilize the opposition to boot. ## **The November Midterms and its big question mark** Already, attitudes about the January 6th insurrection are strong enough to influence election results. One of the biggest Trump critics within the Republican Party, Wyoming Congresswoman [Liz Cheney](https://www.businessinsider.com/harriet-hageman-shares-details-of-trump-call-after-liz-cheney-defeat-2022-9), recently lost her State primaries – and her tough position on Trump is widely regarded as a major factor behind her landslide defeat. Donald Trump maintains deep grassroots support *within* the Republican Party, but his figure remains controversial overall. As a result, the candidates he endorses tend to have an easy run in the primaries – but when the *real* election comes, they may find a tougher battle ahead of them. With barely a month to go, it will be interesting to see how many choose to downplay their links to the “MAGA movement” or double-down in their positions. --- *[Grassroots Pulse](https://www.grassrootspulse.com/) covers public policy and political issues aimed at engaging highly-active policy makers, donors, and grassroots leaders at the forefront of the political process in America today.* [Grassroots Pulse Staff](https://www.grassrootspulse.com/news/author/grassroots-pulse-staff) Share this article on [mailto:?subject=Check%20out%20As%20the%20Justice%20Department%20Investigates%20Trump,%20What%20Will%20Happen%20with%20the%20Midterm%20Elections?%20&body=Check%20out%20https://www.grassrootspulse.com/news/justice-department-investigates-trump](mailto:?subject=Check%20out%20As%20the%20Justice%20Department%20Investigates%20Trump,%20What%20Will%20Happen%20with%20the%20Midterm%20Elections?%20&body=Check%20out%20https://www.grassrootspulse.com/news/justice-department-investigates-trump) ##### Read more - [American Association of Political Consultants: No AI Content on Generative Campaigns](https://www.grassrootspulse.com/news/no-ai-content-on-generative-campaigns) - [The Debt Ceiling Fight: Who’s Lobbying for What?](https://www.grassrootspulse.com/news/the-debt-ceiling-fight-whos-lobbying-for-what) - [How a US Federal Government Default Could Affect You](https://www.grassrootspulse.com/news/how-a-us-federal-government-default-could-affect-you) ## Further Reading [![With or Without Donald Trump: Five Likely Candidates for the Republican Presidential Nomination in 2024](https://www.grassrootspulse.com/hs-fs/hubfs/jon-tyson-49ybMyLB7HM-unsplash.jpg?width=300&name=jon-tyson-49ybMyLB7HM-unsplash.jpg)](https://www.grassrootspulse.com/news/five-likely-candidates-for-the-republican-presidential-nomination-in-2024) ###### [Donald Trump,](https://www.grassrootspulse.com/news/tag/donald-trump)[Elections,](https://www.grassrootspulse.com/news/tag/elections)[Politics,](https://www.grassrootspulse.com/news/tag/politics)[US Politics & Culture,](https://www.grassrootspulse.com/news/tag/us-politics-culture)[Featured](https://www.grassrootspulse.com/news/tag/featured) ##### [With or Without Donald Trump: Five Likely Candidates for the Republican Presidential Nomination in 2024](https://www.grassrootspulse.com/news/five-likely-candidates-for-the-republican-presidential-nomination-in-2024) Since winning an upset victory over establishment favorite Hillary Clinton in 2016, former... [Read More](https://www.grassrootspulse.com/news/five-likely-candidates-for-the-republican-presidential-nomination-in-2024) [![Why Trump Might Not Run for Re-Election](https://www.grassrootspulse.com/hs-fs/hubfs/jon-tyson-WeK_Wc2b0Aw-unsplash.jpg?width=300&name=jon-tyson-WeK_Wc2b0Aw-unsplash.jpg)](https://www.grassrootspulse.com/news/why-trump-might-not-run-for-re-election) ###### [Insider,](https://www.grassrootspulse.com/news/tag/insider)[Donald Trump,](https://www.grassrootspulse.com/news/tag/donald-trump)[Elections,](https://www.grassrootspulse.com/news/tag/elections)[US Politics & Culture,](https://www.grassrootspulse.com/news/tag/us-politics-culture)[Featured](https://www.grassrootspulse.com/news/tag/featured) ##### [Why Trump Might Not Run for Re-Election](https://www.grassrootspulse.com/news/why-trump-might-not-run-for-re-election) Will he, or won’t he? Donald Trump’s potential revenge tour in 2024 is on everyone’s mind, as... [Read More](https://www.grassrootspulse.com/news/why-trump-might-not-run-for-re-election) #### Subscribe to our newsletter Sign up for our newsletter to receive the latest updates on new topics, events and more. You will also get a chance at special discounts only available through this channel! ![grassroots pulse logo - minimal version PNG-2](https://www.grassrootspulse.com/hubfs/grassroots%20pulse%20logo%20-%20minimal%20version%20PNG-2.png "grassroots pulse logo - minimal version PNG-2") Grassroots Pulse 1201 Connecticut Avenue NW, Suite 600 Washington, DC 20036 [info@grassrootspulse.com](mailto:info@grassrootspulse.com) (202) 684-8254  --- Copyright 2025 Grassroots Pulse