What is an indictment?

An indictment is a formal accusation or charge of a serious crime by a government that forms the basis of a legal case against an entity.

Former President Trump and 18 other individuals were indicted by a Georgia grand jury earlier this month.

A grand jury in Fulton County, Georgia handed up the indictment against the former president and several other individuals, including former White House chief of staff Mark Meadows.Monday's indictment means that Trump and the others named in the document are formally accused of violating several statutes, including violating the Georgia Racketeer Influenced And Corrupt Organizations (RICO) Act.

In addition to accusation of violating the Georgia RICO Act, the other charges include Solicitation of Violation of Oath by a Public Officer; Conspiracy to Commit Impersonating a Public Officer; Conspiracy to Commit Forgery in the First Degree; and Conspiracy to Commit False Statements and Writings, among others.