Former President Donald Trump has been indicted by a grand jury in Atlanta, Georgia, on charges of racketeering and 12 other felonies.[0] The indictment stems from Trump's alleged attempts to overturn his defeat in the 2020 election in the state.[1] The indictment also includes 18 other individuals, including former Trump attorney Rudolph Giuliani and former White House chief of staff Mark Meadows, who are charged with racketeering and other felony charges related to their involvement in the scheme.[2]
The indictment follows a two-year investigation into allegations that Trump pressured election officials to overturn the election results.[3] In a phone call with Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger in January 2021, Trump asked him to “find” the votes he needed to win the state, citing unfounded allegations of voter fraud.[3] Trump is also accused of recruiting fake electors in the state to cast their votes for him during the process to certify Electoral College results.[3]
The indictment includes 41 counts, with 13 charges against Trump.[4] The core of the indictment is the racketeering charge, which implicates all 19 defendants.[5] Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis, who opened the probe into Trump, is seeking a trial date within six months.[6] However, with three other indictments against Trump pending in other courts, it is uncertain if this timeline is feasible.[7]
This is the second indictment involving Trump's efforts to overturn the 2020 election, and the second to be brought outside federal court. Trump was previously charged on the federal level in special counsel Jack Smith's investigation into his broader election efforts. Trump also faces other criminal charges, including his alleged involvement in the Capitol riot on January 6, 2021, and allegations of improper retention of classified records.
The Georgia indictment carries potential jail time for Trump and his co-defendants. Unlike civil cases, this criminal case cannot be resolved through a self-pardon or a financial settlement. The indictment alleges a coordinated effort to pressure Georgia officials into changing the election outcome, and it includes allegations concerning other states, such as Arizona and Michigan.[6] The case also focuses on the actions of Trump-aligned lawyers, including Giuliani and John Eastman, who are accused of pushing the plot to overturn the election results.[4]
The indictment applies Georgia's Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations (RICO) Act to all 19 defendants.[8] This law has traditionally been used to prosecute individuals engaged in violent activities, such as street gangs and the Mafia.[2] However, in Georgia, RICO charges can be brought against anyone involved in at least two crimes aimed at helping an “enterprise.”[9]
Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis is leading the prosecution in this case.[5] The indictment marks Trump's fourth indictment in five months and his second connected to his efforts to reverse the 2020 election results. If convicted of any of the state felonies, Trump would not be eligible for a federal pardon.[8] In Georgia, the power to grant pardons lies with the Georgia State Board of Pardons and Paroles, not the governor.[8]
Overall, this indictment represents a significant legal challenge for Trump and his associates. The charges brought forth in the indictment highlight the allegations of election interference and the alleged attempt to undermine the democratic process. As the case moves forward, it will be closely watched to see how it unfolds and whether it will have political implications for Trump's future.
0. “Trump indicted in 2020 election probe by Fulton County grand jury” TODAY, 15 Aug. 2023, https://www.today.com/video/trump-indicted-in-2020-election-probe-by-fulton-county-grand-jury-190841925546
1. “Grand jury returns indictments in Trump-Georgia case” Fox News, 16 Aug. 2023, https://www.foxnews.com/live-news/donald-trump-fourth-indictment-georgia-elections
2. “Fulton County charges Donald Trump with racketeering, other felonies — a Georgia election law expert explains 5 key …” The Conversation, 15 Aug. 2023, https://theconversation.com/fulton-county-charges-donald-trump-with-racketeering-other-felonies-a-georgia-election-law-expert-explains-5-key-things-to-know-211582
3. “Who Is Fani Willis? Here’s What To Know About The Fulton County DA Prosecuting Trump.” Forbes, 15 Aug. 2023, https://www.forbes.com/sites/tylerroush/2023/08/15/who-is-fani-willis-heres-what-to-know-about-the-fulton-county-da-prosecuting-trump/
4. “4 things revealed in the Trump Georgia indictment – The Washington Post” The Washington Post, 15 Aug. 2023, https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2023/08/15/takeaways-trump-georgia-indictment/
5. “Georgia grand jury indicts Trump over state’s 2020 election results” Roll Call , 15 Aug. 2023, https://www.rollcall.com/2023/08/15/georgia-grand-jury-indicts-trump-over-states-2020-election-results
6. “Trump Georgia indictment: Who are the 18 other defendants?” NPR, 15 Aug. 2023, https://www.npr.org/2023/08/15/1193912706/trump-georgia-indictment-defendants-charged
7. “Georgia and federal cases use different strategies on Trump conspiracy” The Washington Post, 15 Aug. 2023, https://www.washingtonpost.com/national-security/2023/08/15/trump-conspiracy-legal-georgia-federal/
8. “Trump and allies face racketeering charges in Georgia — here's what to know about sentencing for RICO convictions” CBS News, 16 Aug. 2023, https://www.cbsnews.com/news/defendants-in-georgia-case-prison-sentences-rico/
9. “Georgia’s RICO law has now ensnared mobsters, musicians and Trump allies” MSNBC, 15 Aug. 2023, https://www.msnbc.com/the-reidout/reidout-blog/trump-georgia-indictment-rico-law-defining-moment-rcna100015
