“Georgia Probe Escapes Trump’s Interference as Judge Rules Against Him”
A judge overseeing the Georgia grand jury investigation into Donald Trump has dismissed the former US president’s attempt to disqualify the lead prosecutor and block any potential indictments resulting from the inquiry. The investigation is expected to lead to charges being brought forward in the coming weeks.
Fulton County Superior Court Judge Robert McBurney also rejected Trump’s request to suppress a special grand jury report containing recommendations on individuals connected to the efforts to overturn Georgia’s 2020 election results, where Joe Biden secured a narrow victory.
Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis intends to seek grand jury approval for charges in the next three weeks, with her staff mostly working remotely due to safety concerns.
Trump has denied any wrongdoing and accused Willis, an elected Democrat, of having political motives. His legal team did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
The investigation centers on Trump’s efforts to reverse the 2020 election outcome, including a recorded phone call where he asked the state’s top election official to “find” enough votes to overturn Biden’s victory. The probe also examines the conduct of Trump’s attorneys, including Rudy Giuliani, and a group of individuals who tried to have the state’s electoral votes awarded to Trump.
The special grand jury, convened to aid the investigation, has heard testimony from multiple witnesses. Trump has repeatedly claimed widespread fraud in the election, despite numerous court rulings finding no evidence to support such claims.
In his ruling, McBurney stated that Trump’s attempt to block the investigation was premature since no charges had been filed yet. He also noted that Trump would have the opportunity to challenge the investigation’s propriety if he faces an indictment. The judge found no evidence to support Trump’s claim of bias from the district attorney, highlighting that the DA’s conduct had been impartial compared to Trump’s own personal attacks on the case.
