A grand jury in Fulton County, Georgia, has returned 10 indictments related to the investigation of former President Donald Trump’s attempts to overturn his 2020 election loss in the state.
The indictments were not immediately made public on Monday night, but they were reportedly connected to the Trump case, according to The New York Times. The charges were expected to be released by the county clerk’s office later Monday.
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The investigation on Trump
The investigation, led by Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis, has been looking into the pressure campaign that Trump and his allies waged on Georgia election officials after he lost the state to President Joe Biden by about 12,000 votes.
The probe has focused on Trump’s phone calls to Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger and Governor Brian Kemp, in which he asked them to “find” more votes for him or to call a special session of the legislature to overturn the results.
The investigation has also examined whether Trump or his associates violated state laws on election fraud, racketeering, conspiracy, or solicitation.
Several witnesses who were subpoenaed by Willis appeared at the courthouse on Monday and testified before the grand jury in secret. They included former Lieutenant Governor Geoff Duncan, former state lawmaker Bee Nguyen, and Gabe Sterling, a top official in the secretary of state’s office.
Duncan confirmed his testimony to CNN, saying it was “intense.” Nguyen and Sterling did not comment on their appearances.
If the indictments are against Trump, he would face his fourth criminal case this year, after being charged in New York and Washington D.C. with various financial and political crimes. He has denied any wrongdoing and called the investigations a “witch hunt.”
Trump remains the frontrunner for the Republican presidential nomination in 2024, according to polls. He has not officially announced his candidacy yet, but he has hinted at running again.
The indictments in Georgia could have significant implications for his political future and his legal battles. They could also affect the public perception of his claims of election fraud, which have been rejected by dozens of courts and election officials across the country.
What is a Grand Jury?
A grand jury is a group of citizens who are selected randomly from a pool of registered voters or licensed drivers in a county. They serve for a period of time, usually six months or a year, and hear evidence presented by prosecutors in criminal cases.
Unlike a trial jury, which decides whether a defendant is guilty or not guilty, a grand jury decides whether there is enough evidence to charge a person with a crime. They do not determine guilt or innocence.
A grand jury operates in secret and does not hear from defense lawyers or witnesses. They only hear from prosecutors and investigators who present their side of the case. The grand jury can also ask questions and request additional evidence or testimony.
A grand jury can issue an indictment, which is a formal accusation of a crime, or a no bill, which means there is not enough evidence to charge a person. The indictment or no bill is then presented to a judge for approval.
A grand jury can also issue a report or a presentment, which is a statement of findings or recommendations on a matter of public interest or concern. A report or presentment does not accuse anyone of a crime, but it can expose wrongdoing or suggest reforms.
Why is Georgia Important for the 2020 Election?
Georgia was one of the key battleground states in the 2020 presidential election. It had 16 electoral votes and was considered a toss-up between Trump and Biden.
Georgia had not voted for a Democratic presidential candidate since 1992, when it backed Bill Clinton. It was seen as a reliably Republican state for decades, but it had become more competitive in recent years due to demographic changes and urban growth.
In 2020, Biden won Georgia by a narrow margin of 0.24%, or about 12,000 votes out of nearly 5 million cast. He was the first Democratic presidential candidate to win the state since Clinton.
Trump refused to concede defeat and claimed that he won Georgia by a landslide. He alleged that there was widespread voter fraud and irregularities in the state, especially in Fulton County, which is the most populous county and a Democratic stronghold.
Trump and his allies filed several lawsuits challenging the election results in Georgia, but they were all dismissed by state and federal courts for lack of evidence or standing. They also demanded recounts and audits of the ballots, but they did not change the outcome.
Trump also pressured Georgia election officials to overturn the results in his favor. He made phone calls to Secretary of State Raffensperger and Governor Kemp, asking them to “find” more votes for him or to call a special session of the legislature to appoint pro-Trump electors.
Raffensperger and Kemp rejected Trump’s requests and certified Biden’s victory in Georgia. They said that they followed the law and that there was no evidence of fraud or misconduct that would change the results.
Trump’s efforts to overturn the election in Georgia sparked outrage and criticism from Democrats, election experts, and some Republicans. They said that he was undermining democracy and the rule of law, and that he was inciting violence and division among his supporters.
Trump’s actions also prompted criminal investigations by state and federal authorities, who are looking into whether he or his associates broke any laws in their attempts to interfere with the election.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some Frequently Asked Questions about this Trump Election Probe:
What is the Trump election probe in Georgia?
The Trump election probe in Georgia is a criminal investigation by the Fulton County District Attorney’s office into the former president’s attempts to overturn his 2020 election loss in the state. The probe is looking into whether Trump or his allies violated any state laws on election fraud, racketeering, conspiracy, or solicitation.
What are the indictments issued by the grand jury?
The indictments are formal accusations of crimes that are presented to a judge for approval. The grand jury in Fulton County has returned 10 indictments related to the Trump case, but they have not been made public yet. They are expected to be released by the county clerk’s office soon.
Who are the witnesses who testified before the grand jury?
Several witnesses who were subpoenaed by the district attorney appeared at the courthouse and testified before the grand jury in secret. They included former Lieutenant Governor Geoff Duncan, former state lawmaker Bee Nguyen, and Gabe Sterling, a top official in the secretary of state’s office.
What are the potential consequences of the indictments for Trump?
If the indictments are against Trump, he would face his fourth criminal case this year, after being charged in New York and Washington D.C. with various financial and political crimes. He has denied any wrongdoing and called the investigations a “witch hunt”.
The indictments could have significant implications for his political future and his legal battles. They could also affect the public perception of his claims of election fraud, which have been rejected by dozens of courts and election officials across the country.
Conclusion
The indictments issued by the grand jury in Georgia are a significant development in the ongoing investigation of Trump’s attempts to overturn his 2020 election loss in the state. They could have serious consequences for his political and legal future, as well as for his credibility and influence among his supporters. The indictments could also shed more light on the extent and nature of his pressure campaign on Georgia election officials, and whether he or his allies broke any state laws in the process.
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