Georgia grand jury completes Trump election interference investigation

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ATLANTA – An Atlanta-area grand jury investigating efforts by former President Donald Trump and his allies to overturn Trump’s 2020 election loss in Georgia has concluded its investigation, according to the judge overseeing the panel.

Fulton County Superior Court Judge Robert McBurney issued a court order Monday morning saying the special grand jury had completed a final report on its investigation. He said the report was accepted by a majority of the district court and that the 26-member panel was being formally dissolved.

Georgia’s criminal investigation into Trump and his allies explained

The grand jury’s recommendations were not made public, including whether criminal charges should be filed. McBurney scheduled a hearing for Jan. 24 to determine whether to release the report. His order noted that the grand jury had “voted to recommend that its report be released” and appeared to make its release “mandatory” — though the judge said he would hear “argument” on the matter.

“The court thanks the members of the jury for their dedication, professionalism and considerable commitment of time and attention to this important matter. It was no small sacrifice to serve,” McBurney wrote.

The special grand jury was investigating whether Trump and his allies violated Georgia law when they spread rumors of alleged election fraud in the state and pressured Georgia officials to undertake efforts that would have changed the results of the state’s presidential election. which Trump lost by less than 12,000 votes.

Over the course of about six months, the special grand jury heard from dozens of witnesses. Several key Trump allies appeared before the panel, including Sen. Lindsey O. Graham (R.C.) and former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani. The grand jury also heard testimony from top Georgia officials, including Gov. Brian Kemp (R) and Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger, who were the subject of intense pressure campaigns by Trump and his allies as they sought to overturn the election’s outcome. .

Under Georgia law, special grand juries cannot issue indictments, but they can issue a report making recommendations. Fulton County District Attorney Fani T. Willis, who opened the investigation in January 2021, is now expected to weigh those recommendations as she reviews charges in the case.

If Willis seeks to file criminal charges, the district attorney would have to compel a regular grand jury that hears criminal cases — a move that could precede any release of the grand jury report.

A spokesman for Willis did not immediately respond to a request for comment.