Former President Donald Trump and 18 others have been criminally charged in Georgia in connection with their alleged efforts to overturn Joe Biden’s victory in the state during the 2020 election. The indictment, publicly released on Monday, follows a thorough 2½-year investigation conducted by Fulton County District Attorney Fani T. Willis. A total of 41 charges have been brought against the 19 defendants.
Donald Trump himself faces 13 counts, including violating Georgia’s racketeering act, soliciting a public officer to violate their oath, conspiring to impersonate a public officer, conspiring to commit forgery in the first degree, and conspiring to file false documents. The investigation was initiated after an audio recording leaked from a phone call in which Trump urged Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger to question the validity of thousands of ballots and expressed his desire to find enough votes to overturn his loss in the state.
According to the indictment, Trump and the other defendants are accused of refusing to accept Trump’s defeat and knowingly participating in a conspiracy to unlawfully alter the election outcome in Trump’s favor. Among the individuals charged are Rudy Giuliani, Trump’s former personal attorney; Mark Meadows, his former White House chief of staff; and various Trump advisers and supporters. The charges range from making false statements to the Georgia legislature to harassing election workers and creating alternative slates of electors.
The indictment also implicates individuals involved in an alleged attempt to steal election equipment data in rural Coffee County, Georgia. The investigation made use of Georgia’s extensive anti-racketeering statutes, which allow prosecutors to establish criminal intent by demonstrating activities conducted in other states.
The indictment resulted from a special purpose grand jury that was convened after Willis requested it due to witnesses’ reluctance to cooperate without subpoenas. Over the course of eight months, the grand jury heard testimony from numerous witnesses, including key Trump advisers. The panel concluded its investigation and issued a final report, which indicated potential perjury by some witnesses and recommended filing charges.
Trump’s legal team has sought to disqualify Willis and her office from the case, arguing that she displayed bias in her public comments about the investigation. However, their motions were rejected by the court. Willis, who has faced security concerns, recently announced her charging decision and has taken steps to ensure the safety of herself and her staff.
Trump has strongly criticized Willis and other prosecutors involved in examining his activities, using derogatory language and making unfounded claims. Willis, an African-American district attorney, has expressed concerns about security and has received increased protection due to threats.
It is anticipated that Trump’s attorneys will attempt to have the case dismissed, reiterating their objections to the handling of the investigation.
