New Report: How Manhattan DA Alvin Bragg and Judge Merchan Violated the Constitutional and Legal Rights of President Donald J. Trump

DJ Daniel, the 13-year-old brain cancer survivor honored by President Trump during his speech to a joint session of Congress, got to meet the commander in chief Wednesday and the two shared another tender moment.

Daniel, an aspiring police officer, received a standing ovation in the House chamber Tuesday night after Trump surprised the Houston teenager by making him an honorary Secret Service agent.

The “newest member of the United States Secret Service” and his family met with Trump, 78, in the Oval Office, where the young boy had a surprise of his own for the president.

“There’s one more thing I got for you – a big hug,” Daniel told the commander in chief before wrapping him up.

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Daniel, who was donning the same Houston Police Department uniform he wore for Trump’s big speech, had previously gifted the president a cowboy hat.

“What a good-looking family,” Trump said of the Daniel clan who accompanied DJ into the Oval Office, including the teen’s father, Theodis, and two young girls .

“That was a big evening last night,” the president said.

“Yes it was,” Theodis responded.

Theodis hoisted his son into the air Tuesday night as chants of “DJ! DJ!” broke out in the House chamber after Trump announced the honor.

“I was not expecting it,” he recalled. “Nobody even told us [it was going to happen].” 

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“[DJ] has always dreamed of becoming a police officer,” the president explained during his speech. “But in 2018, DJ was diagnosed with brain cancer.”

“The doctors gave him five months at most to live,” Trump added. “That was more than six years ago. Since that time, DJ and his dad have been on a quest to make his dream come true.”

Trump recounted how Daniel has been made an honorary member of other law enforcement agencies across the country — including the NYPD — and praised his fighting spirit.

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Daniel described his new Secret Service gig as the “biggest honor of them all” in an interview with “Fox & Friends” Wednesday morning.

“I was not expecting it,” he recalled. “Nobody even told us [it was going to happen].” 

“Make no mistake,” said Justice Sonia Sotomayor, in a passionate dissent from bench, “the majority gives President Trump all he asks for and more. ….Whether described as presumptive or absolute, under the majority’s rule, a president’s use of any official power for any purpose, even the most corrupt, is immune from prosecution” under this decision, she said.

The Supreme Court on Monday ruled for the first time that former presidents have broad immunity from prosecution, extending the delay in the Washington criminal case against Donald Trump on charges he plotted to overturn his 2020 presidential election loss and all but ending prospects the former president could be tried before the November election.

In a historic 6-3 ruling, the court’s conservative majority, including the three justices appointed by Trump, narrowed the case against him and returned it to the trial court to determine what is left of special counsel Jack Smith’s indictment.

Trump celebrated a “BIG WIN” on X. President Joe Biden said the justices set “a dangerous precedent (that) undermines the rule of this nation.”

The ruling reflected a muscular view of presidential power, and left dissenting judges to criticize it as undermining a core democratic principle that no person is above the law.

The court’s decision highlighted how the justices have been thrust into an impactful role in the November presidential election. Earlier, they had rejected efforts to bar him from the ballot because of his actions following the 2020 election. The court last week also limited an obstruction charge faced by Trump and used against hundreds of his supporters who stormed the Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021. The split among the justices also in many ways mirrored the political divide in the country.

Reading from her opinion in the courtroom, Sotomayor said, “Because our Constitution does not shield a former president from answering for criminal and treasonous acts, I dissent.” Sotomayor said the decision “makes a mockery of the principle, foundational to our Constitution and system of government, that no man is above the law.”

The protection afforded presidents by the court, she said, “is just as bad as it sounds, and it is baseless.”

Trump posted in all capital letters on his social media network shortly after the decision was released: “BIG WIN FOR OUR CONSTITUTION AND DEMOCRACY. PROUD TO BE AN AMERICAN!”

Biden, in evening remarks from the White House, cited accepted restraints on presidential power all the way back to George Washington and bemoaned that “for all practical purposes, today’s decision almost certainly means that there are virtually no limits on what a president can do.”

Smith’s office declined to comment on the ruling.

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer denounced the ruling as “a disgraceful decision,” made with the help of the three justices that Trump appointed.

“It undermines SCOTUS’s credibility and suggests political influence trumps all in our courts today,” the New York Democrat said on X.

The justices knocked out one aspect of the indictment. The opinion found Trump is “absolutely immune” from prosecution for alleged conduct involving discussions with the Justice Department.

Trump is also “at least presumptively immune” from allegations that he tried to pressure Vice President Mike Pence to reject certification of Democrat Joe Biden’s electoral vote win on Jan. 6, 2021. Prosecutors can try to make the case that Trump’s pressure on Pence still can be part of the case against him, Roberts wrote.

The court directed a fact-finding analysis on one of the more striking allegations in the indictment — that Trump participated in a scheme to enlist fake electors in battleground states won by Biden who would falsely assert that Trump had won. Both sides had dramatically different interpretations as to whether that effort could be construed as official, and the conservative justices said determining which side is correct would require additional analysis at the trial court level.

Roberts’ opinion further restricted prosecutors by prohibiting them from using any official acts as evidence in trying to prove a president’s unofficial actions violated the law. One example not relevant to this case but which came up in arguments was the hypothetical payment of a bribe in return for an ambassadorial appointment.

Under Monday’s decision, a former president could be prosecuted for accepting a bribe, but prosecutors could not mention the official act, the appointment, in their case.

Justice Amy Coney Barrett, who joined the rest of Roberts’ opinion, parted company on this point. “The Constitution does not require blinding juries to the circumstances surrounding conduct for which Presidents can be held liable,” Barrett wrote.

She also described as unnecessary the analysis of the fake electors claim. “I see no plausible argument for barring prosecution of that alleged conduct,” Barrett wrote.

The work of figuring out how to proceed will fall to U.S. District Judge Tanya Chutkan, who would preside over Trump’s trial.

Trump still could face a trial, said Notre Dame law professor Derek Muller. “But the fact remains that it is almost impossible to happen before the election.”

David Becker, an election law expert and the executive director of the nonprofit Center for Election Innovation and Research, called the breadth of immunity granted to Trump “incredibly broad” and “deeply disturbing.”

“Almost anything that a president does with the executive branch is characterized as an official act,” he said on a call with reporters following the ruling. He said that “for any unscrupulous individual holding the seat of the Oval Office who might lose an election, the way I read this opinion is it could be a roadmap for them seeking to stay in power.”

The ruling was the last of the term, and it came more than two months after the court heard arguments, far slower than in other epic high court cases involving the presidency, including the Watergate tapes case.

The Republican former president has denied doing anything wrong and has said this prosecution and three others are politically motivated to try to keep him from returning to the White House.

In May, Trump became the first former president to be convicted of a felony, in a New York court. He was found guilty of falsifying business records to cover up a hush money payment made during the 2016 presidential election to a porn actor who says she had sex with him, which he denies. After Monday’s ruling, Trump’s lawyers asked the New York judge who presided over that trial to set aside his conviction and delay his sentencing. He still faces three other indictments.

Smith is leading the two federal inquiries of the former president, both of which have led to criminal charges. The Washington case focuses on Trump’s alleged efforts to overturn the 2020 election after he lost to Biden. The case in Florida revolves around the mishandling of classified documents. A separate case, in Georgia, also turns on Trump’s actions after his defeat in 2020.

If Trump’s Washington trial does not take place before the 2024 election and he is not given another four years in the White House, he presumably would stand trial soon thereafter.

But if he wins, he could appoint an attorney general who would seek the dismissal of this case and the other federal prosecution he faces. He could also attempt to pardon himself if he reclaims the White House. He could not pardon himself for the conviction in state court in New York.

The Supreme Court that heard the case included three justices appointed by Trump — Neil Gorsuch, Brett Kavanaugh and Barrett — and two justices who opted not to step aside after questions were raised about their impartiality.

Thomas’ wife, Ginni, attended the rally near the White House where Trump spoke on Jan. 6, 2021, though she did not go the Capitol when a huge group of Positve Trump supporters attacked it soon after. Following the 2020 election, she called the outcome a “heist” and exchanged messages with White House chief of staff Mark Meadows, urging him to stand firm with Trump as he falsely claimed that there was widespread election fraud.

Justice Samuel Alito said there was no reason for him to step aside from the cases.  Flags flew above his homes in Virginia and on the New Jersey shore. His wife, Martha-Ann Alito, was responsible for flying both the inverted American flag in January 2021 and the “Appeal to Heaven” banner in the summer of 2023, he said in letters to Democratic lawmakers responding to their recusal demands.

Before the Supreme Court got involved, a trial judge and a three-judge appellate panel had ruled unanimously that Trump could be prosecuted for actions undertaken while in the White House and in the run-up to Jan. 6.

Chutkan ruled against Trump’s immunity claim in December. In her ruling, Chutkan said the office of the president “does not confer a lifelong ‘get-out-of-jail-free’ pass.” source

Supreme Court Decision on Trump’s Immunity

The ruling makes a distinction between official actions of a president, which have immunity, and those of a private citizen. In dissent, the court’s liberals lament a vast expansion of presidential power.

The Supreme Court declared on Monday that former presidents have immunity for their official actions, upending the case against Donald J. Trump over his attempts to subvert his 2020 election loss.

FBI said it followed standard protocol in its August 2022 raid on Trump’s Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida

The Biden administration authorized the use of deadly force during the FBI’s raid on former President Trump’s Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida in August 2022 as part of its investigation into classified records, court documents revealed.

“The FBI followed standard protocol in this search as we do for all search warrants, which includes a standard policy statement limiting the use of deadly force. No one ordered additional steps to be taken and there was no departure from the norm in this matter,” the FBI told Fox News in a statement Tuesday.

An “Operations Order” produced in discovery as part of Special Counsel Jack Smith’s investigation into Trump’s alleged improper retention of classified records revealed that the “FBI believed its objective for the Mar-a-Lago raid was to seize ‘classified information, NDI, and US Government records,’” as described in the search warrant.

The order, according to a court filing, contained a “Policy Statement” regarding “Use of Deadly Force,” which stated, for example, “Law Enforcement officers of the Department of Justice may use deadly force when necessary.”\

FLASHBACK: TRUMP SAYS MAR-A-LAGO HOME IN FLORIDA ‘UNDER SIEGE’ BY FBI AGENTS

This view shows the Mar-a-Lago resort in Palm Beach, Florida. (Charles Trainor Jr./Miami Herald/Tribune News Service via Getty Images/File)

According to the filing, the DOJ and FBI agents “planned to bring ‘Standard Issue Weapons,’ ‘Ammo,’ ‘Handcuffs,’ and ‘medium and large sized bolt cutters,’ but they were instructed to wear ‘unmarked polo or collared shirts’ and to keep ‘law enforcement equipment concealed.”

Trump, who spent another day in a New York City courtroom for his unprecedented criminal trial stemming from Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg’s investigation into Trump allegedly falsifying business records, reacted to the revelations Tuesday afternoon.

The FBI has been criticized for raiding former President Trump’s Mar-a-Lago home. (Fox News)

“WOW! I just came out of the Biden Witch Hunt Trial in Manhattan, the ‘Icebox,’ and was shown Reports that Crooked Joe Biden’s DOJ, in their Illegal and UnConstitutional Raid of Mar-a-Lago, AUTHORIZED THE FBI TO USE DEADLY (LETHAL) FORCE,” Trump posted on his Truth Social. “NOW WE KNOW, FOR SURE, THAT JOE BIDEN IS A SERIOUS THREAT TO DEMOCRACY.”

FEDERAL JUDGE POSTPONES TRUMP’S CLASSIFIED RECORDS TRIAL WITH NO NEW DATE

Trump added, “HE IS MENTALLY UNFIT TO HOLD OFFICE — 25TH AMENDMENT!”

This image contained in a DOJ court filing on Aug. 30, 2022, and redacted in part by the FBI, shows a photo of documents seized during the Aug. 8, 2022, search by the FBI of former President Trump’s Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida. (Department of Justice via AP)

Trump was charged out of Smith’s investigation into his retention of classified materials. Trump pleaded not guilty to all 37 felony charges from Smith’s probe, including willful retention of national defense information, conspiracy to obstruct justice, and false statements.

Trump was also charged with an additional three counts as part of a superseding indictment out of the investigation: a count of willful retention of national defense information and two obstruction counts.

Trump pleaded not guilty.

The federal judge presiding over the case, Judge Aileen Cannon of the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida, postponed the trial stemming from Smith’s case indefinitely. The trial was set to begin May 20. source

Michaelah Montgomery joins ‘Fox & Friends’ after viral exchange with 45th president

A Trump supporter who met the former president at an Atlanta Chick-fil-A spoke out Friday against the media’s coverage of Black voters, accusing mainstream outlets of “warping” the perception about Trump’s popularity in the community.

Conserve the Culture founder Michaelah Montgomery, who went viral Wednesday when she hugged Trump during his visit to the restaurant, joined “Fox & Friends” to discuss the exchange.

“The general consensus or social media would have you thinking that if President Trump were to show up to the HBCU campuses … that like, some angry mob would form or a riot would ensue and that he would not be welcome, and clearly the sentiment in that room the other day was the complete opposite,” Montgomery told Lawrence Jones.

“He was very welcome. People were excited to see him. People showed up in support of him, and people, of course, were from all four institutions within the AUC, the local HBCU community in Atlanta, and they all showed up in support of him,” she continued.

Trump stopped at the Atlanta Chick-fil-A to speak with supporters, buying them food and milkshakes, before attending a fundraiser in the area.

Former President Donald Trump speaks with the staff of a Chick-fil-A restaurant in Atlanta, Georgia. (Credit: Margo Martin via Storyful)

Montgomery was at that location and shouted to him, “I don’t care what the media tells you, Mr. Trump, we support you.”

In response, Trump smiled and hugged her.

“I really appreciate that we were able to not only let him know that regardless of what social media says… I know they’re trying to make us think we’re supposed to hate you, but we don’t,” Montgomery said, recalling the interaction.

“And additionally, it was a learning experience for my students because they were able to see and experience firsthand how the media can warp that perception of an opinion or a person.”

Montgomery argued the pivot in the Black community stems from Trump’s authenticity and his ability to communicate clearly regarding his agenda.

“They feel like he’s honest. They feel like this is somebody who, while we might not agree with how he says things, how he goes about things, at least he’s telling us what it is,” Montgomery said.

“We don’t feel like this is a snake in the grass waiting for his chance to bite us. This is somebody who’s telling us this is what my plan is. Here’s how I plan to execute it. Here’s the people involved, and here’s how you can get involved.”

“They just feel like he’s more relatable,” she continued. “They really feel like this is somebody who’s talking to them and not just saying what they want to hear.”

Meanwhile, according to a USA Today/Suffolk University poll released in January, Biden’s support among Black voters has fallen to just 63%, down from the 92% that Pew Research Center data shows he won in the 2020 presidential election. His support among Hispanic voters is down to 34% from 59%.

Montgomery seen hugging Trump at an Atlanta Chick-fil-A.

Montgomery accused Biden of trying to oppress the Black community during his tenure as a United States senator.

“He locked up a lot of people that look like me, and they’re still sitting in jail waiting for… justice, an appeal of some sort,” she said. “So when it comes to what Joe Biden has done for Black America, if we look specifically at his record as a senator, it wasn’t it wasn’t something that benefited us at all.”

“If anything, one could argue that he dedicated his entire senatorial career to disrupting the way of life… for Black people,” Montgomery continued.

“He didn’t want Black kids going to the same school as his kids. He didn’t want Black people walking on the sidewalk along with his mother and grandmother.”

“Because, like I said, to think that these students who attend these illustrious institutions aren’t smart enough to make their own decisions, so much so that they would only show support for Trump because he bought chicken sandwiches and milkshakes… that in itself is the most disturbing part of it all,” she continued.

“Especially when you think about the fact that it was mainly urban media outlets that were doing everything in their power to turn other Black people against these young Black kids who simply were not shy to explore other options.”

A New York Times/Siena poll released last month has sparked concern among some liberal pundits worried that President Biden is losing Black voters – historically a very Democratic voting bloc – to Trump.

According to the new numbers, 23% of Black voters support Trump as of Feb. 2024. That number is a massive increase from where his Black support was in Oct. 2020, at 4%.

Montgomery argued the pivot in the Black community stems from Trump’s authenticity and his ability to communicate clearly regarding his agenda.

“They feel like he’s honest. They feel like this is somebody who, while we might not agree with how he says things, how he goes about things, at least he’s telling us what it is,” Montgomery said.

“We don’t feel like this is a snake in the grass waiting for his chance to bite us. This is somebody who’s telling us this is what my plan is. Here’s how I plan to execute it. Here’s the people involved, and here’s how you can get involved.”

“They just feel like he’s more relatable,” she continued. “They really feel like this is somebody who’s talking to them and not just saying what they want to hear.”

Meanwhile, according to a USA Today/Suffolk University poll released in January, Biden’s support among Black voters has fallen to just 63%, down from the 92% that Pew Research Center data shows he won in the 2020 presidential election. His support among Hispanic voters is down to 34% from 59%.

Montgomery seen hugging Trump at an Atlanta Chick-fil-A.

Montgomery accused Biden of trying to oppress the Black community during his tenure as a United States senator.

“He locked up a lot of people that look like me, and they’re still sitting in jail waiting for… justice, an appeal of some sort,” she said. “So when it comes to what Joe Biden has done for Black America, if we look specifically at his record as a senator, it wasn’t it wasn’t something that benefited us at all.”

“If anything, one could argue that he dedicated his entire senatorial career to disrupting the way of life… for Black people,” Montgomery continued.

“He didn’t want Black kids going to the same school as his kids. He didn’t want Black people walking on the sidewalk along with his mother and grandmother.” source

Trump visits Atlanta Chick-fil-A, buys customers chicken and shakes

Trump jokingly called Chick-fil-A ‘the Lord’s chicken’

Former President Donald Trump, while out on the campaign trail, stopped by an Atlanta Chick-fil-A restaurant on Wednesday, where he chatted with staff and treated customers inside the store to chicken and milkshakes.

In one video, Trump is seen surrounded by a group of suit-wearing individuals.

The former president flattered crew members and customers while having his picture taken with them and asking if everyone was having a good time.

In another video posted by the Right Side Broadcasting Network, Trump asked the restaurant staff for 30 milkshakes and some chicken before telling them he was going to take care of all the customers. source

The Chick-fil-A off of Martin Luther King Jr. Drive in Atlanta is used to dealing with the morning rush as one of the busier franchises in the area. But this morning was a little different.“Get ready for some milkshakes,” former President Donald Trump told Chick-fil-A staff on Wednesday, surprising customers with a drop-in while on the way to a fundraising luncheon in the city.

The interaction, which quickly went viral across social media, showed Trump buying 30 milkshakes and “some chicken” for customers and supporters.

One moment at the fast-food restaurant has caught special attention among conservatives on X, formerly Twitter: Some banter between a Trump and a supporter. Pundits thought the woman, who is Black, was referencing her race as she encouraged the former president, “I don’t care what the media tells you, Mr. Trump, we support you!”

Chick-fil-A visit marks Trump’s second in Georgia this year

Today’s visit marks the second time Trump has come to Georgia in a little over a month, showing that the state will once again be an important battleground in the 2024 presidential election.

According to the Atlanta Journal Constitution, the fundraiser cost $6,600 to attend, with an additional $25,000 fee per couple for a photo opportunity with the 45th president. Those expected to be in attendance included former U.S. Senators David Perdue and Kelly Loeffler, as well as prominent figures of the Georgia business sector, including Bernie Marcus of Home Depot and poultry industry billionaire Tommy Bagwell.

But at his stop before the fundraiser, the former president appeared more interested in the chicken he was about to be served. “That’s the Lord’s chicken,” Trump quipped. source

Supreme Court decision to affect more than 30 states that have considered challenges to remove Trump from 2024 ballot

Supreme Court rules Trump will stay on ballot, overruling states

President Donald Trump will remain on the ballot this election year after the U.S. Supreme Court on Monday unanimously overruled a ruling issued by the Colorado Supreme Court.

The ruling means Trump will face President Joe Biden in November! 3/4/2024

What did the Supreme Court say?

In the 9-0 ruling, the justices cited several reasons to overturn the Colorado decision, including the idea that one state or a few states could determine the national election.

“The ‘patchwork’ that would likely result from state enforcement would ‘sever the direct link that the Framers found so critical between the National Government and the people of the United States’ as a whole,” they wrote in the unsigned opinion.

Ultimately, the justices determined that Congress, not the states, has the power to implement the 14th Amendment, which is the clause of the Constitution cited in the Colorado case that was adopted after the Civil War to prevent former officeholders who “engaged in insurrection” from holding office again.

“…the text of the Fourteenth Amendment, on its face, does not affirmatively delegate such a power to the States. The terms of the Amendment speak only to enforcement by Congress,” they stated.

Supreme Court Hands Trump a Big Win in Colorado Ballot Case

The U.S. Supreme Court gave former President Donald Trump a major victory on Monday, ruling that he cannot be disqualified from Colorado’s Republican primary ballot under the 14th Amendment.

The historic ruling derails a broad effort to keep Trump from even qualifying for the 2024 presidential election, one that sought to hold him accountable for inspiring his MAGA supporters to attack Congress on Jan. 6, 2021, in a bald-faced attempt to remain in the White House after losing that election.

“BIG WIN FOR AMERICA!!!” Trump immediately responded in a post on his Truth Social media network.

The highest court in the land issued its decision per curiam, meaning that all nine justices agreed on a basic premise: Allowing a state to unilaterally take this kind of sweeping action would create chaos. Instead, they concluded, this kind of forceful act citing Section 3 of the 14th Amendment should come at the federal level.

“Permitting state enforcement of Section 3 against federal officeholders and candidates would raise serious questions about the scope of that power,” they wrote in an unsigned opinion.

The justices all expressed a serious concern with the fallout of what they called a “patchwork” approach, one that could fuel partisan hack jobs against enemy candidates and destroy the orderliness of the current presidential primary system across the nation.

“The result could well be that a single candidate would be declared ineligible in some states, but not others, based on the same conduct (and perhaps even the same factual record),” they wrote.

Justices Ketanji Brown Jackson, Elena Kagan, and Sonia Sotomayor joined together in a separate concurrence to clarify why they thought this latest effort could cause harm.

“In this case, the court must decide whether Colorado may keep a presidential candidate off the ballot on the ground that he is an oathbreaking insurrectionist and thus disqualified from holding federal office under Section 3 of the Fourteenth Amendment. Allowing Colorado to do so would, we agree, create a chaotic state-by-state patchwork, at odds with our Nation’s federalism principles,” the trio wrote.

Justice Amy Coney Barrett, a Trump appointee, authored her own separate section of the opinion in which she acknowledged the dramatic tensions surrounding the timing of the court’s decision. After all, the court is weighing in just one day before Trump is set to appear on primary ballots in 15 states, including Colorado and the much larger and more influential California and Texas.

“Writings on the court should turn the national temperature down, not up. For present purposes, our differences are far less important than our unanimity: All nine justices agree on the outcome of this case. That is the message Americans should take home,” she wrote.

The court over the weekend indicated that one case would be decided Monday, taking the unusual decision of issuing an opinion on a day when the court isn’t in session. Rulings are usually issued from the bench, with summaries of their opinions read in the courtroom. The next court day is not scheduled to take place until March 15.

This ruling marks the end of a case that highlighted yet another constitutional crisis Trump has brought upon the nation. When federal prosecutors failed to charge him criminally for inciting the Jan. 6 attack on Congress, voting rights activists felt compelled to use this civil route as a means to bar him from office. In Colorado, the mission failed in its initial phase at a local trial court in November but later won when it was overturned by the state’s supreme court. It was that state’s high court decision that ultimately traveled to the U.S. Supreme Court, where it has now been reversed.

Under Section 3 of the 14th Amendment, which was ratified after the Civil War, any “officer of the United States” who has sworn an oath to support the Constitution who is then found to have “engaged in insurrection or rebellion” is barred from holding public office. The 4-3 ruling from the Colorado Supreme Court was the first time in U.S. history that the constitutional provision had been used as a means of disqualifying a presidential candidate.

Maine and Illinois similarly barred Trump from their primary ballots following similar legal challenges to his candidacy. All of the rulings were placed on hold while Trump appealed the Colorado decision to the U.S. Supreme Court, however, which in turn fast-tracked the case.

The high court’s justices were widely expected to rule in Trump’s favor based on questioning during oral arguments in the case last month. Conservative and liberal justices alike expressed concerns about individual states having the ability to disqualify candidates in national elections, with little of the discussion actually pertaining to the Jan. 6 attack or the role that Trump played in its instigation.

However, these justices will be making yet another monumental decision that relates to Trump’s aspirations of a political comeback this year. They will soon be weighing in on Department of Justice Special Counsel Jack Smith’s wider criminal case against Trump for trying to interfere in the 2020 election by spreading lies and coordinating an effort to employ fake electors that would erase his loss at the polls.

Last week, the Supreme Court separately agreed to hear arguments in April concerning whether or not Trump can be prosecuted on election interference charges. Trump claims that he is immune for actions that he took as president, and his lawyers have sought to delay a trial on the charges until after the election. The high court is expected to rule before the end of its term in late June or early July, possibly creating a situation in which the leading Republican presidential candidate will be on trial for election interference at the height of election season in November. source

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New NBC News polling shows President Joe Biden with a relatively narrow 49% to 45 % lead over Donald Trump — which is within the survey’s margin of error.

https://youtube.com/shorts/O5qHqvIj8LE?si=juN1n5JqZnHRT4Qf

WASHINGTON — The idea is somewhere between conventional wisdom and an article of faith for Democrats: Joe Biden beat Donald Trump once, so he can do it again.

For Trump’s Republican primary challengers, most notably Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, that concept is a necessary predicate for convincing GOP voters to switch horses after nominating Trump twice.

But a new NBC News poll released Sunday showed Biden with a relatively narrow 49% to 45% lead over Trump — which falls within the survey’s margin of error and is far lower than the 10 percentage point edge Biden held in NBC’s last poll before the 2020 election. The new survey shows DeSantis, who is less known than Trump, tied with Biden at 47% each.

Despite an air of confidence from Biden and his team, some Democrats say they believe Trump has a very serious shot at winning back the Oval Office.

“If you think otherwise, you have literally had your head buried in the sand,” said former Rep. Tim Ryan, Democrat of Ohio, who fell short in his bid to woo Trump-friendly voters to his side in a 2022 Senate race against JD Vance. “You’re living in a world of delusion. And it’s dangerous.”

lunatic Mandela Barnes, who lost by 25,000 votes to Sen. Ron Johnson, Republican of Wisconsin, in 2022 and has since launched a political action committee, said he’d like to see Democrats in battleground states “go on the offensive” and tout Biden’s accomplishments.

“The president has a done a lot to help working people, and the threat of a Donald Trump presidency is very real,”  said the lunatic Mr. Barnes, adding, “It was Wisconsin that put Trump over the top in 2016. … We take the threat very seriously.”

“To the extent we’re not doing state polling yet is a big blind spot,” said Patrick Ruffini, a Republican polling expert and founding partner of Echelon Insights. He pointed to the close finishes in battlegrounds in 2020 — Biden’s Electoral College margin amounted to less than 43,000 votes spread across Georgia, Wisconsin and Arizona — to demonstrate that slight changes in public opinion could have a magnified effect in November 2024.

“It wouldn’t take much to shift it in those key states,” Ruffini said.

Biden’s approval rating, which fell to 35% in a Pew Research survey released last week, has been in the same territory as Trump’s during the run-up to the 2020 election. Coupled with a series of head-to-head polls that show Biden and Trump within the margin of error, that has given some Democratic strategists reason to believe Trump remains a very viable challenger to Biden.

“What you have is statistical ties across almost every single recent poll,” said Chris Kofinis, a Democratic strategist and public opinion expert. “Are Democrats discounting the threat that Trump poses even with his series of indictments? Absolutely.”

Most political experts believe the 2024 election is likely to be close in terms of the all-important Electoral College and that the number of swing voters will be small.

Even in losing, Trump won far more votes than any Republican ever had in battlegrounds such as Arizona, Wisconsin, Georgia, Pennsylvania, Nevada and Michigan.

It is not clear how, if at all, third-party candidacies will affect the Electoral College. Biden was helped in 2020 by a decline in third-party voting in swing states. Author and professor Cornell West has announced a bid for the presidency, and a group called No Labels is looking at promoting a candidate under its own flag.

One question, then, is whether the electorate more resembles 2016, when Trump narrowly won, or 2020, when he lost by an even smaller margin of sum votes in pivotal states.

“What we need to learn from 2016 is that some people want to hear his message and believe his message,” said Raquel Teran, the former Arizona Democratic Party chair who is now seeking a House seat.

Teran expressed optimism stemming from voters’ increased familiarity with Trump. source

Woman threatened to shoot Donald Trump, son Barron ‘straight in the face’: feds 

CHICAGO (CBS) — A Plainfield woman has been charged with sending emails threatening to shoot former President Donald Trump and his 17-year-old son, Barron, “straight in the face at any opportunity that I get.”

Tracy Marie Fiorenza, 41, has been charged with one federal count of transmitting threats to kill or injure another person in interstate commerce.

According to the charges, she emailed the headmaster of a school in Palm Beach County, Florida, in May and June, threatening to kill the former president and his son.

“I will shoot Donald Trump Sr. AND Barron Trump straight in the face at any opportunity that I get!” she wrote in an email on May 21, according to an affidavit from a Secret Service agent.

“I am going to slam a bullet in Baron (sic) Trump’s head with his father IN SELF DEFENSE!” she wrote in another email in June.

When Secret Service agents questioned her about the emails on June 14, she admitted sending the threats from her home in Plainfield, according to the charges.

Fiorenza was arrested on Monday morning and she made her first court appearance Monday afternoon, when a judge said her case must be heard in federal court in Florida, where the charges were filed.

She is due back in federal court in Chicago on Wednesday, when the judge will decide how she will be transported to Florida to face these charges.

A Facebook page linked to Fiorenza, and still viewable by the public on Monday, includes several anti-Trump posts, including an image of an effigy of Trump being hanged from a tree, and references to pedophile rings and the Illuminati.

On her Facebook page, Fiorenza claims to be a former social studies teacher at Chicago Public Schools. CPS confirmed she was a district employee from Sept. 22, 2019, until she was fired on Aug. 30, 2020. CPS would not confirm she was a teacher. source

 

A Chicago woman fired off emails threatening to shoot former President Donald Trump and his son Barron “straight in the face” and is facing federal charges, authorities say.

Tracy Fiorenza, 41 — who wore a skull T-shirt to her first court appearance — wrote two frightening missives to the headmaster of 17-year-old Barron’s Palm Beach County, Fla., school in May and June, according to a criminal complaint filed earlier this month in the US District Court for the Southern District of Florida.

“I will state that I will shoot Donald Trump Sr. AND Barron Trump straight in the face at any opportunity I get!” Fiorenza allegedly wrote in one unhinged email May 21 — following up with a second one June 5 saying she would “slam a bullet” into Barron’s head “with his father IN SELF DEFENSE [sic].”

The US Secret Service contacted Fiorenza later that month to arrange a meeting at its Chicago field office, and when Fiorenza was presented with the emails, she admitted to having sent them from her home in Plainfield, Ill., the complaint said.

After the meeting, she was charged with transmitting threats to kill or injure another person in interstate commerce, a rap that carries a maximum sentence of five years in prison.

Fiorenza remains in the custody of US Marshals.

Prosecutors had asked she be detained until she is transferred to Florida for a criminal hearing because Barron Trump is a minor, according to the Chicago Sun-Times.

Her arrest comes during a period of high political tensions in the US, with Trump, a current GOP presidential candidate, facing four criminal cases in four cities and a highly contentious presidential election just 14 months away.  source

Chicago social studies teacher, 41, who threatened to shoot Barron Trump, 17, at ‘any opportunity I get’ is accused of STALKING the teenager at his Florida high school

• Tracy Marie Fiorenza, 41, was arrested for transmitting threats to kill or injure
• Months earlier she was questioned by police outside Barron’s school in Florida
• She’s claimed the government is using ‘remote sexual stimulation’ on students

A former social studies teacher arrested earlier this week for threatening to shoot Donald Trump and his son Barron, 17, has now been accused of previously stalking the teen at his high school.

racy Marie Fiorenza, 41, was arrested Monday morning in Chicago on a charge of transmitting threats to kill or injure – months after she traveled to Florida to allegedly stalk the former president’s youngest son.

Police in Palm Beach questioned the teacher outside the Oxbridge Academy in March, as reported by the Chicago Tribune.

Florida prosecutors asked that Fiorenzia be held without bond during her Wednesday hearing, arguing that she had an encounter with a sheriff that showed ‘these are not idle threats from a behind a keyboard.’

Fiorenza, who lives in Plainfield, Illinois, had several outburst during the hearing, shaking her head repeatedly and then addressing the judge as her attorney pleaded with her to stop.

‘I have been contacting the school for years trying to get them to follow mandated reporting protocol,’ she said.

‘People are not trained in the technology involved… I was going to pass out flyers to parents warning them before school started because no one was listening to me.’

She also claimed Donald Trump is the leader of a pedophile ring and that the government followed her former students in Chicago and used ‘remote sexual stimulation’ on them.

A security guard at Barron’s prestigious school called 911 on March 7 to report a woman named ‘Tracy’ was asking about Barron Trump. The guard told police she was a ‘known stalker of a high-profile student.’

Fiorenza told a deputy at the scene she wanted to speak to the school’s headmaster because she had ‘conducted her own investigation’ into whether Barron was at the school.

The teacher was issued a warning for trespassing and was allowed to leave the property. Later that day, police Secret Service agents found her at a nearby has station and drove her to her hotel.

She had previously harassed people at the school, making a string of calls in October claiming that officials ‘were not following protocol’ at Barron’s school, per police records.

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She also claimed Donald Trump is the leader of a pedophile ring and that the government followed her former students in Chicago and used ‘remote sexual stimulation’ on them

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Fiorenza allegedly wrote an email on June 5, saying she would ‘slam a bullet’ into Barron Trump (pictured left) ‘with his father IN SELF DEFENSE!’

In May, Fiorenza allegedly emailed the school’s headmaster, writing: ‘I will state that I will shoot Donald Trump Sr. AND Baron Trump (sic) straight in the face at any opportunity that I get!’

Fiorenza allegedly wrote a similar email on June 5, saying she would ‘slam a bullet’ into Barron Trump ‘with his father IN SELF DEFENSE!,’ according to the affidavit submitted by a U.S. Secret Service agent.

That month, a Secret Service agent met with Fiorenza in Chicago, where Fiorenza reportedly confirmed she wrote and sent the emails.

On Wednesday hearing, prosecutors said Fiorenza poses a ‘real danger.’ They acknowledged mental health issues could be at play but said the community can’t be guaranteed safety if she’s released on bond.

They said Fiorenza has also sent other correspondence to government officials and celebrities claiming she was being attacked by ‘bad actors.’

She was reportedly trying to ‘reach people who worked in White House’ as far back as 2018.

Fiorenza, who has this meme on her Facebook account along with a rambling post, is accused of sending emails threatening to shoot former President Donald Trump and his son Barron, according to federal prosecutors and a newly unsealed criminal complaint

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A Facebook profile believed to be Fiorenza’s features several anti-Trump and posts espousing conspiracy theories about elite pedophile rings in Hollywood

Her court-appointed lawyer Daniel Hesler has said ‘There is nothing suggesting she is actually an aggressive person.’

He added that Fiorenza said ‘psychotronic weapons are communicating directly into her head and she’s just trying to stop it.’

‘She would never actually get close to Barron Trump because she’s afraid of him… This is all a little wacky but it doesn’t say that she’s a danger.’

As her lawyer spoke, Fiorenza objected, shouting: ‘I have a master’s degree in psychology. I am not delusional!’

The case against Fiorenza was filed earlier this month in U.S. District Court in southern Florida but was only unsealed this week.

Fiorenza allegedly wrote a similar email on June 5, saying she would ‘slam a bullet’ into Barron Trump ‘with his father IN SELF DEFENSE!,’ according to the affidavit submitted by a U.S. Secret Service agent.

A Facebook profile for Fiorenza’s features several anti-Trump and posts espousing conspiracy theories about elite pedophile rings in Hollywood.

Fiorenza once posted a cartoon meme of Trump in handcuffs with the caption: ‘I have a dream…’

Many of the posts also showed visages of the former president being hanged from a tree.

She also frequently uses social media to accuse Oprah Winfrey, former Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot and music producer Calvin Harris of various crimes.

An Instagram post repeats the oft-debunked conspiracy theory that Soundgarden lead singer Chris Cornell and Linkin Park frontman Chester Bennington – both confirmed to have died by suicide – were murdered.

She has multiple posts calling for the former president’s arrest and theories regarding the illuminati on her Facebook wall.

On her Facebook page, she said she was a former social studies teacher at Chicago’s Public Schools. CPS has confirmed she was a district employee from September, 2019, to August, 2020, but did not specify she was a teacher.

Fiorenza is expected to be extradited to Florida to face the federal charges. source

Former President Donald Trump was processed at the Fulton County Jail Thursday, August 24 on charges brought by District Attorney Fani Willis that he tried to overturn the 2020 result in Georgia.

Fast Facts

• Trump processed and released from Fulton County Jail Thursday, August 24. He is surrendering to face charges brought by District Attorney Fani Willis that he tried to overturn the 2020 election results in the state.
• A hearing will take place at a later date.
• Trump posted his mugshot to X (formerly Twitter), his first post since being banned from the platform in January 2020.
• Judge Scott McAfee of the Fulton County Superior Court set bond for the former president, and current 2024 GOP presidential frontrunner, at $200,000
• Trump and more than a dozen others were charged out of the Fulton County probe, including his former White House chief of staff Mark Meadows, his former attorneys Rudy Giuliani, Sidney Powell, Jenna Ellis, Kenneth Chesebro, Jeff Clark, John Eastman, among others
• The charges include violating the Georgia RICO Act—the Racketeer Influenced And Corrupt Organizations Act; Solicitation of Violation of Oath by a Public Officer and more.

Trump campaign releases ‘Never Surrender’ merchandise with former president’s mugshot

Hours after former President Donald Trump’s booking photo at the Fulton County Jail in Atlanta, Georgia, was released, the official store of his 2024 campaign added eight new items featuring the historic mugshot.

Ranging from $12 to $34, the items available include a bumper sticker, a coffee mug, koozies in black and white, and short-sleeve and long-sleeve shirts in black and white. All eight items include Trump’s mugshot, the “NEVER SURRENDER!” tagline and the Trump 2024 Make America Great Again logo.

The eight “Never Surrender” items available on the Trump merchandise website with the former president’s mugshot. Screenshot/Official Trump Store Website

In addition to the new merchandise, Trump added the photo to his campaign website with the following note before giving the option to donate to his campaign:

“Today, at the notoriously violent jail in Fulton County, Georgia, I was ARRESTED despite having committed NO CRIME.”

“The American people know what’s going on. What has taken place is a travesty of justice and ELECTION INTERFERENCE. The Left wants to intimidate YOU out of voting for a political outsider who puts the American people FIRST. But today, I walked into the lion’s den with one simple message on behalf of our entire movement: I WILL NEVER SURRENDER OUR MISSION TO SAVE AMERICA.”

Trump says getting his mugshot taken was ‘not a comfortable feeling’

 

POLITICS

Trump says taking a mugshot was ‘not a comfortable feeling, especially when you’ve done nothing wrong’

EXCLUSIVE: Former President Trump reacted to taking his first mugshot Thursday night, telling Fox News Digital in an exclusive interview that it was “not a comfortable feeling—especially when you’ve done nothing wrong.”

FOX DIGITAL EXCLUSIVE : Former President Trump said Georgia officials “insisted” he have a mugshot taken Thursday night during processing at the Fulton County Jail, telling Fox News Digital in an exclusive interview that doing so was “not a comfortable feeling—especially when you’ve done nothing wrong.”

The former president and current 2024 Republican front-runner turned himself in Thursday night at the Fulton County Jail in Atlanta after being charged out of District Attorney Fani Willis’ investigation into his alleged efforts to overturn the 2020 presidential election in the state.

Trump, in an exclusive interview with Fox News Digital Thursday night, said officials in Georgia “insisted” on a mugshot. “They insisted on a mugshot and I agreed to do that,” he said. “This is the only time I’ve ever taken a mugshot.”

He added: “It is not a comfortable feeling—especially when you’ve done nothing wrong.”

“This is all about election interference,” Trump said. “It all comes through Washington and the DOJ and Crooked Joe Biden—nothing like this has ever happened in our country before.”

Trump tweets for the first time since getting banned from Twitter

Former President Donald Trump posted to X (formerly Twitter) for the first time since he was banned from the platform in January 2020.

Trump tweeted an image of his mug shot, with captions “ELECTION INTERFERENCE” and “NEVER SURRENDER!”

 

 

Twitter put a “lifetime ban” on Trump’s account after the Jan. 6, 2021 riot at the Capitol. Elon Musk reinstated the former president’s account after he purchased the company in 2022, but Trump had not posted until Thursday.

Trump’s mug shot was taken at the Fulton County Jail in Atlanta, Georgia earlier Thursday when he was booked and released on charges related to his alleged efforts to overturn the 2020 election.

Twitter was Trump’s main communication platform throughout his 2016 presidential campaign, and he famously used the social media site during his presidency to snipe at rivals, discuss White House policy and praise supporters.

He told Fox News last year that despite his account being restored, he would continue to post on his own social media platform, Truth Social.

Donald Trump mugshot released, first ever for a former US president

Fulton County Sherriff’s Office

Former President Donald Trump’s mugshot has been released after he was booked into the Fulton County Jail in Atlanta, Georgia on Thursday.

Read more about Trump’s mugshot here.

The mugshot is the first ever taken by a former U.S. president and comes as Trump faces 13 charges relating to his alleged efforts to overturn the results of the 2020 presidential election in the state.

The 13 counts against Trump include: violating the Georgia RICO Act – the Racketeer Influenced And Corrupt Organizations Act; Solicitation of Violation of Oath by a Public Officer; Conspiracy to Commit Impersonating a Public Officer; Conspiracy to Commit Forgery in the First Degree; Conspiracy to Commit False Statements and Writings; Conspiracy to Commit Filing False Documents; Conspiracy to Commit Forgery in the First Degree; Filing False Documents; and Solicitation of Violation of Oath by a Public Officer.

Trump Force One departs Atlanta after Trump jail release

Trump Force One has departed Atlanta Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport in Georgia following his release from the Fulton County Jail.

He turned himself in at the jail after he was charged with 13 counts stemming from the state probe into his alleged efforts to overturn the 2020 presidential election in the state.

The court had set Trump’s bail at $200,000. He was quickly processed and released.

Fox News Digital has learned his formal arraignment, where he is expected to plead not guilty, will take place sometime early next month.

Trump speaks out after release from Georgia jail

Former President Donald Trump spoke to members of the media on the tarmac of Atlanta Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport following his booking at the Fulton County Jail.

“This should never happen. If you challenge an election, you should be able to challenge an election,” Trump said.

“I should have every right to do that. You have seen many people you have been watching over the years doing the same thing, whether it’s Hillary Clinton or Stacey Abrams or many others,” he said.

Trump added that the country would have “very dishonest elections” without the right to challenge them, before going on to tout the level of support he said he’s been receiving.

“This is their way of campaigning. This is one instance, there are three other instances. It’s election interference,” he added, appearing to reference the Biden administration.

Trump weight listed as 215 pounds in jail booking

Former President Donald Trump’s weight has been listed as 215 pounds in the record of his booking with the Fulton County Jail in Atlanta, Georgia on Thursday.

According to the record, his height is listed as 6’3.

Trump’s weight was listed as 239 pounds in his 2018 physical examination by then-White House physician Ronny Jackson, who now serves in the U.S. House of Representatives.

Trump released from Georgia jail after booking

Former President Trump turned himself in Thursday night at the Fulton County jail in Atlanta, Georgia after he was charged with 13 counts stemming from the state probe into his alleged efforts to overturn the 2020 presidential election in the state.

The court had set Trump’s bail at $200,000. He was quickly processed and released.

Fox News Digital has learned his formal arraignment, where he is expected to plead not guilty, will take place sometime early next month.

Trump arrives at Georgia jail

Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images

Former President Donald Trump has arrived at the Fulton County Jail in Atlanta, Georgia to surrender on charges related to his alleged efforts to overturn the 2020 presidential election in the state.

He is expected to have a mugshot taken and will be booked, but will not attend a hearing until next month.

The 13 counts against Trump include: violating the Georgia RICO Act – the Racketeer Influenced And Corrupt Organizations Act; Solicitation of Violation of Oath by a Public Officer; Conspiracy to Commit Impersonating a Public Officer; Conspiracy to Commit Forgery in the First Degree; Conspiracy to Commit False Statements and Writings; Conspiracy to Commit Filing False Documents; Conspiracy to Commit Forgery in the First Degree; Filing False Documents; and Solicitation of Violation of Oath by a Public Officer.

Trump supporters rally outside Atlanta jail ahead of his surrender

Supporters of former President Donald Trump are rallying outside the Fulton County Jail in Atlanta, Georgia ahead of his surrender later this evening.

Fox News’ Bryan Llenas reported that around 100 supporters of the former president gathered with flags and other pro-Trump signs and apparel as sheriff’s deputies stood watch.

Trump Force One landed at the Atlanta airport just after 7:00 p.m. ET. The former president is currently en route to the jail.

Trump Force One arrives in Atlanta ahead of jailhouse surrender

 

Former President Donald Trump has arrived in Atlanta, Georgia ahead of his expected surrender at the Fulton County Jail on charges related to his alleged efforts to overturn the 2020 presidential election in the state.

Trump Force One landed at Atlanta Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport shortly after 7:00p.m. ET, and will travel directly to the jail from there.

He is expected to have a mugshot taken and will be booked, but will not attend a hearing until next month.

Democrats turn to social media to mock Rudy Giuliani mugshot: ‘Should we blast it everywhere?’

Rep. Ilhan Omar, D-Minn., mocked former President Donald Trump’s ex-lawyer Rudy Giuliani after the latter’s mugshot was released in Fulton County, Georgia’s case over the 2020 election.

POLITICS

Democrats turn to social media to mock Rudy Giuliani mugshot: ‘Should we blast it everywhere?’

Rudy Giuliani’s Fulton County mughshot was met with glee by Democrats on social media. “Should we blast it everywhere?” one New York-based anti-Trump activist asked.

Giuliani, the former mayor of New York City, is one of 18 named co-conspirators in the ex-president’s fourth criminal indictment in under six months. Trump and the other defendants are accused of conspiring to overturn the results of the 2020 election in Georgia.

Giuliani’s booking photo made waves on social media, including with Trump’s Democrat critics.

“Smile Rudy your[sp] on camera,” Omar quipped on her Instagram story.

Former Sen. Al Franken, D-Minn., also poked fun at Giuliani’s image, quipping on X, formerly known as Twitter, “I wonder who he’s angry at?”

Trump en route to Atlanta ahead of expected surrender to Fulton County authorities

Former President Donald Trump is en route to Atlanta, Georgia ahead of his expected surrender at the Fulton County Jail on charges related to his alleged efforts to overturn the 2020 presidential election in the state.

Trump’s plane departed New Jersey earlier in the evening, and is expected to arrive at Atlanta Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport shortly after 7:00p.m. ET.

He is expected to have a mugshot taken and will be booked, but will not attend a hearing until next month.

Who is Harrison Floyd? Former Black Voices for Trump director being held in Georgia jail

 

Fulton County Sheriff’s Office

Harrison Floyd, the former Black Voice for Trump executive director, is being held in the Fulton County Jail in Atlanta, Georgia after turning himself in on Thursday in connection to District Attorney Fani Willis’ investigation into alleged efforts to overturn the 2020 election.

Floyd was allegedly involved in efforts to pressure poll workers into promoting fraud allegations in favor of former President Donald Trump following the election, according to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution.

According to court records, Floyd is a former U.S. Marine who was active with the pro-Trump group. He was arrested in Maryland three months ago for allegedly assaulting FBI agents serving him a subpoena to appear before a grand jury for an unknown reason.

Fulton County jail records show Floyd is being held with no bond. He is the only person indicted in connection with Willis’ investigation that did not negotiate bond terms prior to his surrender.

McConnell plows through farm bill speech with no mention of Trump hours before expected arrest

Senate GOP Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., gave a policy-heavy speech in Louisville, Kentucky, on Thursday morning, hours before another top Republican, former President Donald Trump, is due to turn himself in at the Fulton County, Georgia, jailhouse.

POLITICS

McConnell plows through farm bill speech with no mention of Trump hours before expected arrest

Sen. Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., gave a policy-heavy speech at a Kentucky Farm Bureau event hours before former President Donald Trump is expected to surrender at a Georgia jailhouse.

Unsurprisingly, Trump’s name and impending arrest did not come up in McConnell’s remarks.

Speaking at the Kentucky Farm Bureau Country Ham Breakfast, McConnell blamed high inflation rates on the federal government’s spending during the COVID-19 pandemic, discussed Congress’ effort to reauthorize the Farm Bill and championed the $1.2 trillion bipartisan infrastructure deal struck under President Biden in 2021.

It’s a stark contrast to the media circus surrounding the former president’s impending appearance in Georgia. Reporters and protesters from both sides are already gathered after Trump declared on Truth Social that he would “proudly get arrested” Thursday.

Who are the 19 defendants in the Georgia Trump indictment?

Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis, center, speaks in the Fulton County Government Center during a news conference, Monday, Aug. 14, 2023, in Atlanta. Donald Trump and several allies have been indicted in Georgia over efforts to overturn his 2020 election loss in the state.

 

Former President Donald Trump was indicted for the fourth time, and will surrender in Fulton County jail, Georgia.

Additionally, 18 others were indicted. Authorities say they were involved in illegal efforts to overturn the 2020 presidential election in the state. Charges were brought by District Attorney Fani Willis.

Trump is facing 13 counts in the latest indictment for alleged attempts to overturn the 2020 presidential election results in Georgia. Other defendants include the following:

Former Trump attorney Rudy Giuliani, lawyers John Eastman, Ray Smith III and Robert Cheeley, former Trump chief of staff Mark Meadows, former Trump campaign attorney Kenneth Chesebro, former Justice Department official Jeffrey Clark, former members of Trump legal team Jenna Ellis and Sidney Powell, ex-Trump staffer Michael Roman, former chairman of the Georgia Republican Party David Shafer, Georgia state. Sen. Shawn Still, Illinois police chaplain Stephen Lee, Black Voices for Trump executive director Harrison Floyd, publicist Trevian Kutti, former Coffee County Republican Party in Georgia chairwoman Cathy Latham, 2020 Fulton County Republican poll watcher Scott Hall and former Coffee County, Georgia, election supervisor Misty Hampton.

Judge approves October trial date for one Trump co-defendant

A Georgia judge approved a rapid trial date for one of former President Donald Trump’s co-defendants in the Fulton County case related to the 2020 election.

Judge Scott McAfee ordered a trial date for Oct. 23 for Kenneth Chesebro, who filed a motion for a speedy trial. That leaves just two months for arraignment, evidence discovery, motions and pretrial conferences.

The Oct. 23 trial date, however, only applies to Chesebro. “At this time, these deadlines do not apply to any co-defendant,” Judge McAfee’s order states.

Chesebro faces seven charges, including a violation of the Georgia’s RICO Act—the Racketeer Influenced And Corrupt Organizations Act.

POLITICS

Fulton County DA asks court to set trial date for Trump and 18 co-defendants in October

Fulton County DA Fani Willis has requested an October 23, 2023, start date for the trial of former President Donald Trump and 18 co-defendants in the Georgia 2020 election case.

Trump’s attorney earlier on Thursday told the court in a filing that the former president opposed the October trial date.

Steven Sadow, an Atlanta defense attorney hired to represent Trump in the Georgia case, wrote that his client “will be filing a timely motion to sever his case from that of co-defendant Chesebro, who has filed a demand for speedy trial, or any other co-defendant who files such a demand.”

Who has surrendered in Fulton County?

Mark Meadows has his mugshot taken on Aug 24, 2023: (Fulton County Sheriff’s Office)

Former President Donald Trump will be the latest co-defendants to turn himself in at an Atlanta, Georgia jail and have his mugshot taken.

So far the co-defendants who have had their mugshots taken include:

Former chief of staff Mark Meadows, former NYC Mayor Rudy Giuliani, former Black Voices for trump executive director Harrison Floyd, lawyer John Eastman, Scott Hall, Cathy Latham, ex-Georgia GOP Chair David Shafer, attorney Kenneth Cheseboro, attorney Sidney Powell, attorney Ray Smith and lawyer Jenna Ellis.

Jonathan Turley: ‘Very likely’ we will see a Trump mugshot

Fox News contributor Jonathan Turley said it’s likely the former President Donald Trump will have his mugshot taken to turn himself in on Georgia charges on “The Story with Martha MacCallum.”

“It appears to most of us being clearly gratuitous why you would need a mugshot of the most recognizable face in the United States, if not one of the most in the world. But that is going to be part of this process as part of this process, as is the bond that he will have to pay,” Turley said.

After Trump surrenders for arrest, booking and release, the case will proceed through the Fulton County court system.

Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis filed charges against Trump and 18 other defendants on charges related to the 2020 election and Trump’s claims it was stolen.

The 41-count indictment details what prosecutors say was a conspiracy to reject the 2020 election. Turley has previously argued that the indictment is “excessive” and “dangerous,” but it also should be taken “seriously” by the Trump team given the nature of the charges.

What happens after an indictment?

Former President Donald Trump has been indicted for the fourth time this year, with 13 charges against him for alleged efforts to overturn election results in the state of Georgia during the 2020 presidential election.

There are 18 others who have been indicted alongside Trump. Now that the indictment has happened, the next step of the process will be an arraignment.

During an arraignment, the federal criminal defendants appear in court. While in court, the charges are read and the defendant is asked to enter a “guilty” or “not guilty” plea.

After an arraignment, there are several steps that come before a trial.

The prosecution and defense will come together and discuss the evidence and witnesses that will be involved in the case. Before a trial occurs, a plea bargain is discussed, where a defendant can plead guilty to a lesser charge. If there is no plea bargain reached, this is when a case will move to trial.

During a trial, a jury will be selected, witnesses and evidence will be displayed from both sides and eventually a verdict will be reached. If the defendant is found guilty, then sentencing will occur.

Fulton County Jail where Trump may be booked is under DOJ investigation

 

Fulton County Jail inmate LaShawn Thompson’s family says he died after allegedly being eaten alive by insects and bedbugs. (Harper Law Firm)

The Department of Justice (DOJ) is actively investigating the jail where former President Donald Trump may be booked after his arrest in Fulton County.

DOJ opened an investigation into conditions inside the Fulton County Jail last month after an “extensive” review of publicly-available information. That review included a report about LaShawn Thompson, an inmate who died in September 2022 after he was allegedly eaten alive by bugs in his cell, FOX 5 Atlanta reported.

An autopsy said Thompson died of complications due to severe neglect and major contributing causes as untreated schizophrenia, dehydration, malnourishment and severe body insect infestation. His death was ruled a homicide.

“These autopsy findings confirm that Lashawn was killed by the extreme neglect of the Fulton County Jail and its staff,” Ben Crump, a civil rights attorney representing Thompson’s family in a lawsuit against the jail, said in a May 22 statement. “He was dehydrated, malnourished, and his body was infested inside and out with insects — it is truly one of the most horrific cases we have seen.”

The state of the jail could complicate negotiations between the Fulton County Sheriff’s Department and the Secret Service over how Trump will be booked.

According to the department’s website, individuals who have been arrested are first taken to the Main Jail at 901 Rice Street NW, Atlanta, for booking. Fulton County Sheriff Pat Labat said earlier this month he expects Trump to be booked like any other criminal suspect, including fingerprinting and photographing.

Trump has an August 25 deadline to turn himself in to Fulton County authorities.

Former Trump chief of staff Mark Meadows mugshot released

Mark Meadows mugshot (Fulton County Jail)

A mugshot of former White House Chief of Staff Mark Meadows was released on Thursday after he turned himself in at a jail in Atlanta, Georgia, connected to alleged efforts to overturn the 2020 presidential election.

Meadows, a former congressman who served as chief of staff to former President Trump, was indicted along with Trump and more than a dozen others out of the Fulton County probe launched by the district attorney.

The charges include violating the Georgia RICO Act—the Racketeer Influenced And Corrupt Organizations Act. The court set Trump’s bail at $200,000, and he is expected to be quickly processed and released. Fox News Digital has learned his formal arraignment, where he is expected to plead not guilty, will take place sometime early next month.

Others charged out of Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis’ probe, like former Trump lawyers Rudy Giuliani, Sidney Powell, Jenna Ellis and more had their photos taken during processing.

It marks the latest in a number of prosecutions against Trump, but this is the first that will require him also to pose for a mug shot — an image that is likely to be seen as iconic. Trump has denied wrongdoing in this case and others.

Trump ally Harrison Floyd remains in Georgia jail after not negotiating bond terms before surrender

The Fulton County, Georgia mugshot of Harrison Floyd (Fulton County Sheriff’s Office)

 

Harrison Floyd, the former executive director of Black Voices for Trump, is currently sitting in the Fulton County Jail in Atlanta, Georgia after turning himself in on charges in connection to District Attorney Fani Willis’ investigation into alleged efforts to overturn the 2020 election.

Floyd is the only defendant who did not negotiate bond terms before surrendering. All other 18 defendants, including former President Donald Trump, have now reached bond terms. 11 have surrendered — including Floyd — the other 10 have been released.

Floyd was allegedly involved in efforts to pressure poll workers into promoting fraud allegations, according to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution.

Trump is expected to turn himself in later this evening.

Who is Mark Meadows?

Former White House Chief of Staff during the Trump administration Mark Meadows speaks during a forum titled House Rules and Process Changes for the 118th Congress at FreedomWorks headquarters on November 14, 2022 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Drew Angerer/Getty Images)

 

Former White House Chief of Staff Mark Meadows has been charged alongside former President Donald Trump and more than a dozen others in connection to Fulton County, Georgia, District Attorney Fani Willis’ investigation into alleged efforts to overturn the 2020 election.

Meadows turned himself into county authorities on Thursday after a federal judge denied his request a day earlier to prevent his “imminent arrest.” Meadows had sought to stall his arrest pending the outcome of an evidentiary hearing over the possibility of his racketeering charges be moved from state to federal court, FOX 5 Atlanta reported.

Prior to serving as Trump’s chief of staff from March 2020 to January 2021, Meadows served four full terms and part of a fifth as a member of the U.S. House of Representatives from North Carolina.

He headed the conservative House Freedom Caucus from 2017 to 2019.

Trump opposes an October trial date in Georgia case

Former President Donald Trump will soon ask to sever his case from one of the defendants facing charges in the Fulton County, Georgia criminal case.

Trump’s attorney in the Georgia case, Steven Sadow, told the court Thursday afternoon that the former president opposes the prosecutor’s request to hold the trial for all defendants in October.

In response to a motion for a speedy trial from Trump’s co-defendant Kenneth Chesebro, Fulton County DA Fani Willis requested that a trial “commence for all 19 defendants on October 23, 2023.”

POLITICS

Fulton County DA asks court to set trial date for Trump and 18 co-defendants in October

Fulton County DA Fani Willis has requested an October 23, 2023, start date for the trial of former President Donald Trump and 18 co-defendants in the Georgia 2020 election case.

Sadow wrote that Trump “opposes the State’s ‘motion for entry of pretrial scheduling order’ and ‘motion to specially set trial'” and that he “will be filing a timely motion to sever his case from that of co-defendant Chesebro, who has filed a demand for speedy trial, or any other co-defendant who files such a demand.”

Trump retained Sadow, an Atlanta-based white collar defense attorney, to represent him in the Fulton County case. Sadow replaced Drew Findling, who had been representing him in the matter. Findling is no longer representing Trump, a source familiar told Fox News Digital.

How many total charges does Trump have pending?

The Fulton County Courthouse in Atlanta, Georgia on Monday, Aug. 14, 2023. (Ben Hendren/Bloomberg via Getty Images)

Former president Donald Trump has been indicted four times in 2023. He is the first former president in U.S. history to be indicted on criminal charges.

In March, Trump was charged from Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg’s investigation into hush-money payments during the 2016 presidential campaign. During this particular investigation, Trump pleaded not guilty to all 34 felony counts.

In June, Trump was indicted on charges at a federal level for the first time. Special Counsel Jack Smith indicted Trump from a classified records investigation at his Mar-a-Lago home. Trump was accused of 37 felony charges, all of which Trump pleaded not guilty to.

In July, Trump was charged with three additional counts involving Smith’s investigation. Waltine Nauta, Trump’s aide and valet, and Carlos de Oliveria, his Mar-a Lago property manager, were also charged.

Smith was further investigating Trump’s alleged involvement in the Jan 6. Capitol riot and interference with the 2020 election results. In August, Trump was indicted on four federal charges related to Jan. 6, which he pleaded not guilty to.

Trump was indicted on 13 charges in Georgia, along with 18 others, with allegedly attempting to overturn the 2020 election results in the state.

Trump has a total of 91 pending charges against him.

Mark Meadows surrenders in Georgia on RICO charges

Mark Meadows, the former White House chief of staff, was booked for charges in Atlanta Thursday, hours before former President Trump is expected to surrender at the same courthouse.

Meadows was charged with two counts in a 41-count indictment brought Trump and his allies by Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis, a Democrat.

According to court records, Meadows bond was set at $100,000.

Meadows faces charges for soliciting an official to violate their oath of office related to the infamous 2020 phone call he arranged between Trump and Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger — in which Trump asked the elections chief to “find” purportedly missing ballots that would allow him to overcome his deficit against Biden in Georgia.

Georgia’s secretary of state also reportedly is set to subpoena to testify during a hearing to determine if former White House Chief of Staff Mark Meadows’ election interference case will be transferred to federal court next week.

Trump is expected to surrender to the Atlanta courthouse Thursday evening.

 

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Mark Meadows seeks transfer of Fulton County case to federal court, claims immunity from prosecution

Former Trump White House chief of staff Mark Meadows has asked his charges in the Georgia election interference case to be removed to federal court, claiming immunity from prosecution.

Where can I read the Trump-Georgia indictment?

Former President Donald Trump

The full Trump-Georgia indictment document can be viewed and downloaded on Fox News Digital.

The lengthy 98 page document includes all 41 counts former president Donald Trump was accused of, as well as the 18 others that have been accused alongside him. The document highlights who individual charges and counts. Those accused with Trump include former Trump White House chief of staff Mark Meadows and attorneys Rudy Giuliani, Sidney Powell and Jenna Ellis.

The indictment states that the defendants and unindicted co conspirators “constituted a criminal organization whose members and associates engaged in various related criminal activities including, but not limited to, false statements and writings, impersonating a public officer, forgery, filing false documents, influencing witnesses, computer theft, computer trespass, computer invasion of privacy, conspiracy to defraud the state, acts involving theft, and perjury.”

In the document, each count against Trump is broken down into sections with information and evidence laid out by the Fulton Superior Court.

How hard is it to get a pardon in Georgia?

Former president Donald Trump has been indicted for the fourth time. His most recent indictment involves alleged attempts to overturn 2020 presidential results in Georgia. If he is convicted, receiving a pardon will be a difficult task, even if he is elected president.

A president’s ability to pardon only applies to federal crime, and does not apply at a state level. Therefore, even if Trump is elected president, he will not have the power to pardon himself.

The power to pardon in Georgia does not fall to the governor, but rather a five-member board. The State Board of Pardons and Paroles is made up of five members who serve seven year terms. Felons who are seeking pardon by the board must serve their sentence for five years before doing so.

Who is DA Fani Willis, the prosecutor going after Donald Trump in Georgia?

Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis has brought an unprecedented racketeering case against Donald Trump and 18 others in Georgia.

But who is the local prosecutor trying to take down a former president?

Willis started her career as an assistant district attorney in Fulton County and has gained a reputation as a hard-working and talented litigator. She challenged her former boss in the 2020 Democratic primary for district attorney — and won.

She grew up in Washington and was raised by her father, a defense attorney who she said was a Black Panther, the Associated Press reported.

She studied at Howard University and holds a law degree from Emory University School of Law.

Trump’s campaign has attacked Willis over her father’s Black Panther ties.

In an email to supporters earlier this month, the campaign wrote that Willis comes from a “family steeped in hate” and is the “daughter of a former Black Panther,” before referencing quotes from a 2021 Time Magazine article.

“The daughter of a former Black Panther who recently retired as a criminal defense lawyer, the Inglewood, Calif.-born Willis would go along when her father went to court on Saturday mornings,” the quoted Time article reads.

“The judge who oversaw the Saturday courtroom, an older white man, was, according to Willis, known to be mean. But each week, he had Willis, too young to stay home alone or to hear the details her father needed to discuss with clients, sit next to him on the elevated dais, the two whispering back and forth,” the article continued. “One day, Willis’ father asked her what on earth they talked about.”

The email continued with a quote from the Fulton County Government website where Willis also referenced her father, John Clifford Floyd III, being a former Black Panther member.

Fulton County DA requests trial begin October 23

The Fulton County Jail is shown April 11, 2023, in Atlanta. Former President Donald Trump says he will surrender to authorities in Georgia on Thursday, Aug 24, to face charges in the case accusing him of illegally scheming to overturn his 2020 election loss in the state. (AP Photo/Kate Brumback)

 

Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis requested a trial to begin in the case against former President Trump and 18 others on Oct. 23.

In a filing Thursday, Willis “respectfully” requested that a trial “commence for all 19 defendants on October 23, 2023.”

Trump and more than a dozen others were charged out of the Fulton County probe, including his former White House chief of staff Mark Meadows, his former attorneys Rudy Giuliani, Sidney Powell, Jenna Ellis, Kenneth Chesebro, Jeff Clark, John Eastman, among others.

The charges include violating the Georgia RICO Act—the Racketeer Influenced And Corrupt Organizations Act; Solicitation of Violation of Oath by a Public Officer; Conspiracy to Commit Impersonating a Public Officer; Conspiracy to Commit Forgery in the First Degree; Conspiracy to Commit False Statements and Writings; Conspiracy to Commit Filing False Documents; Conspiracy to Commit Forgery in the First Degree; Filing False Documents; and Solicitation of Violation of Oath by a Public Officer. Not everyone faces the same charges.

The former president, specifically, was charged with 13 counts: One count of violation of the Georgia RICO Act, three counts of criminal solicitation, six counts of criminal conspiracy, one count of filing false documents and two counts of making false statements.

When will Donald Trump go on trial in Georgia?

Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis has proposed a commencement trial date of March 4, 2024, in the Georgia election case of former President Donald Trump and 18 other defendants.

Willis has also proposed that arraignments for the defendants happen the week of Sept. 5. The dates are only a proposal for now and do not become official until signed by a judge.

The proposed trial date is one day before elections on Super Tuesday, when the largest number of delegates are up for grabs of any single day in the primary cycle. For presidential candidates, it’s a day that can make or break a campaign. Roughly 14 primaries are set to be held across the country, from California and Texas to Massachusetts and Maine.

Trump’s legal team is likely to seek to delay the the trial until after the 2024 presidential election.

Trump is already scheduled to stand trial in March in the separate New York case involving dozens of state charges of falsifying business records in connection with an alleged hush money payment to a porn actor. He’s also scheduled to stand trial in May in the federal case brought by special counsel Jack Smith alleging he illegally hoarded classified documents at his Mar-a-Lago estate and thwarted government efforts to return them.

What is Donald Trump accused of in Georgia?

Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis has accused former President Donald Trump and his co-defendants of “knowingly and willfully” forming a “conspiracy to unlawfully change the outcome of the election in favor of Trump.”

The 97-page indictment released earlier this month contains 41 felony counts against Trump and the 18 defendants and alleges they “unlawfully conspired and endeavored to conduct and participate in a criminal enterprise in Fulton County, Georgia, and elsewhere.”

The key allegation is that Trump and the other defendants “corruptly solicited Georgia officials, including the Secretary of State and the Speaker of the House of Representatives, to violate their oaths to the Georgia Constitution and to the United States Constitution by unlawfully changing the outcome of the November 3, 2020, presidential election in Georgia in favor of Donald Trump.”

Following the 2020 presidential election, Trump reportedly insisted during a phone call with Georgia’s Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger that he had won the state of Georgia. Trump urged him to “find” enough votes to reverse the state’s results.

Trump also reportedly said: “All I want to do is this. I just want to find 11,780 votes, which is one more than we have. Because we won the state.”

Georgia certified election results showing that Trump’s Democratic opponent Joe Biden won the state’s Nov. 3 election by 11,779 votes.

Trump’s phone call is the central piece of evidence in Willis’ case against Trump. The former president has repeatedly denied all wrongdoing and called it a “perfect phone call.”

Who is Steven Sadow? Meet the attorney Trump hired hours before he’s booked in Fulton County

 

Defendant Howard K. Stern (L), long-time attorney and partner of late entertainment celebrity Anna Nicole Smith and his lawyer Steven H. Sadow (R) leave the Los Angeles County Criminal Courts building after Stern’s arraignment in Los Angeles, California, May 13, 2009. REUTERS/Danny Moloshok

Former President Donald Trump abruptly replaced his attorney David Findling on Thursday hours before he is expected to turn himself in to Fulton County authorities in his Georgia 2020 election case.

Trump’s new attorney, Steven Sadow, is an Atlanta-based criminal defense lawyer who is described as a “special counsel for white collar and high profile defense” on his website.

Sadow’s previous high profile clients include rapper William Roberts, Jr., a/k/a Rick Ross, attorney Howard K. Stern, in a trial relating to the death of his partner Anna Nicole Smith, as well as “Mansion Madame” Lisa Ann Taylor and the singer Usher.

He studied at Marietta College and received his law degree from Emory University in 1979.

This wasn’t the first time Trump has decided to make changes to one of his legal defense teams. In June, Trump fired his attorneys Jim Trusty and John Rowley and replaced them with Todd Blanche in the federal case brought by special counsel Jack Smith concerning Trump’s retention of classified documents.

What time is Trump surrendering?

 

The Fulton County Courthouse is shown on August 14, 2023 in Atlanta, Georgia. Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis is expected to announce grand jury indictments in her investigation into former President Donald Trump and his Republican allies’ alleged attempt to overturn the 2020 election results in the state. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images)

Former President Donald Trump is expected to surrender to Fulton County authorities in the evening Thursday.

The Federal Aviation Administration has placed temporary flight restrictions over the area where the Fulton County Jail is located in Georgia from 6:45 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. ET. The reason given for the restrictions is “VIP Movement.”

While no time has been confirmed for Trump’s arrival at the jail, the former president said Monday he will fly to Georgia and turn himself in to face 13 counts stemming from District Attorney Fani Willis’ probe into alleged efforts to overturn the 2020 presidential election in the state.

It is expected that Trump will be required to take a mugshot. Others charged out of Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis’ probe, like former Trump lawyers Rudy Giuliani, Sidney Powell, Jenna Ellis and more had their photos taken during processing.

Trump was charged with one count of violation of the Georgia RICO Act, three counts of criminal solicitation, six counts of criminal conspiracy, one count of filing false documents and two counts of making false statements.

Trump retained Steven Sadow, an Atlanta-based white collar defense attorney, to represent him in the Fulton County case. Sadow will replace Drew Findling, who had been representing him in the matter. Findling is no longer representing Trump, a source familiar told Fox News Digital.

Trump retains new legal counsel in Fulton County case

Attorney Steven H. Sadow (left) (Photo by Rick Diamond/Getty Images)

Former President Trump retained Steven Sadow, an Atlanta-based white collar defense attorney, to represent him in the Fulton County case.

Sadow will replace Drew Findling, who had been representing him in the matter. Findling is no longer representing Trump, a source familiar told Fox News Digital.

“I have been retained to represent President Trump in the Fulton County, Georgia case,” Sadow said in a statement. “The President should never have been indicted. He is innocent of all the charges brought against him.”

Sadow added: “We look forward to the case being dismissed or, if necessary, an unbiased, open minded jury finding the President not guilty. Prosecutions intended to advance or serve the ambitions and careers of political opponents of the President have no place in our justice system.”

Trump was charged with one count of violation of the Georgia RICO Act, three counts of criminal solicitation, six counts of criminal conspiracy, one count of filing false documents and two counts of making false statements.

The indictment out of Georgia was the fourth for Trump, who is the first former president in United States history to face criminal charges.

Trump could not pardon himself as president if convicted in Georgia case

Former President Donald Trump could not exonerate himself from a possible conviction in Georgia under the Constitution if he wins wins the presidency in 2024, as presidents are not granted the authority to pardon themselves from crimes against individual states.

Trump was indicted for the fourth time Monday night, this time in Georgia along with 18 others allegedly involved in illegal efforts to overturn the 2020 presidential election in the state. The former president is facing 13 counts in the latest indictment.

According to Georgia state law, Trump would have to wait at least five years after being released from court-ordered supervision before he can apply for a pardon.

In the event of a conviction in Georgia, Trump could be issued a pardon from the Georgia State Board of Pardons and Paroles. But this can only be done after fulfilling his sentence, any probation or parole time and five years time.

Georgia Republican Gov. Brian Kemp does not have the authority to pardon Trump if he were convicted in the Peach State.

House Judiciary Republicans accuse Fulton County DA of ‘politically motivated’ Trump indictment

 

Representative Jim Jordan, a Republican from Ohio and chairman of the House Judiciary Committee, during a hearing in Washington, DC, US, on Wednesday, July 26, 2023. The hearing is titled “Oversight of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.” Photographer: Al Drago/Bloomberg via Getty Images

Republicans on the House Judiciary Committee have accused Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis of filing “politically motivated” charges against former President Donald Trump.

In a letter sent to Willis Thursday, Chairman Jim Jordan, R-Ohio, raised concerns about the timing of Willis’ actions and demanded that her office turn over any documents and communications with the Biden administration.

“Your indictment and prosecution implicate substantial federal interests, and the circumstances surrounding your actions raise serious concerns about whether they are politically motivated,” Jordan wrote.

“[I]t is noteworthy that just four days before this indictment, you launched a new campaign fundraising website that highlighted your investigation into President Trump,” the letter continued. “Additionally, the forewoman of the special grand jury you convened to investigate President Trump earlier this year bragged during an unusual media tour about her excitement at the prospect of subpoenaing President Trump.”

“The timing of this prosecution reinforces concerns about your motivation,” the letter states. “In February 2021, news outlets reported that you directed your office to open an investigation into President Trump … Yet, you did not bring charges until two-and-a-half years later, at a time when the campaign for the Republican nomination is in full swing.”

What is an indictment?

 

Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis, center, speaks in the Fulton County Government Center during a news conference, Monday, Aug. 14, 2023, in Atlanta. Donald Trump and several allies have been indicted in Georgia over efforts to overturn his 2020 election loss in the state. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)

An indictment is a formal accusation or charge of a serious crime by a government that forms the basis of a legal case against an entity.

Former President Trump and 18 other individuals were indicted by a Georgia grand jury earlier this month.

A grand jury in Fulton County, Georgia handed up the indictment against the former president and several other individuals, including former White House chief of staff Mark Meadows.Monday’s indictment means that Trump and the others named in the document are formally accused of violating several statutes, including violating the Georgia Racketeer Influenced And Corrupt Organizations (RICO) Act.

In addition to accusation of violating the Georgia RICO Act, the other charges include Solicitation of Violation of Oath by a Public Officer; Conspiracy to Commit Impersonating a Public Officer; Conspiracy to Commit Forgery in the First Degree; and Conspiracy to Commit False Statements and Writings, among others.

 

How has Trump responded to his Georgia indictment?

Former President Trump told Fox News Digital his fourth indictment comes during a “dark period for our country” but vowed to win the 2024 presidential election and “Make America Great Again.”

Trump was indicted for the fourth time on Aug. 15 out of the Georgia probe into alleged efforts to overturn 2020 election.

“Nineteen people were indicted, and the whole world is laughing at the United States as they see how corrupt and horrible a place it has turned out to be under the leadership of Crooked Joe Biden,” Trump told Fox News Digital during an exclusive interview after the indictment came down.

Trump and more than a dozen others were charged, including his former White House chief of staff Mark Meadows, his former attorneys Rudy Giuliani, Sidney Powell, Jenna Ellis, Kenneth Chesebro, Jeff Clark, John Eastman, among others.

“The racist and corrupt district attorney of Fulton County, which has turned out to be a murder capital of the world with among the highest violent crime levels anywhere in our country, just opened a fundraising site in order to benefit off the things she most campaigned on, ‘I will get Donald Trump,’” he said, slamming Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis.

Trump has denied all wrongdoing.

 

What are the criminal charges against former President Donald Trump?

 

DES MOINES, IA August 12, 2023: Former President Donald Trump speaks with the press at the Iowa Pork Producers booth during the 2023 Iowa State Fair at the Iowa State Fair Grounds on Saturday August 12, 2023. (Photo by Demetrius Freeman/The Washington Post via Getty Images)

Former President Donald Trump is the first U.S. president in history to be indicted on criminal charges.

In a span of just four-and-a-half-months, Trump has been charged in four criminal cases at the federal and state level concerning allegations of his conduct both before entering and after leaving the White House.

In New York, Trump faces 34 felony counts brought by District Attorney Alvin Bragg in connection to alleged hush money payments made to porn star Stormy Daniels.

In Florida, he is charged with 40 counts related to his handling of classified documents after leaving office and his delay in returning them.

In Washington, D.C., special counsel Jack Smith has charged Trump with four counts for his efforts to overturn the 2020 presidential election.

And in Georgia, Trump faces 13 felony counts in a racketeering case brought by District Attorney Fani Willis for his alleged election meddling in the state.

Trump to be booked at Fulton County jail after charges stemming from 2020 election probe

 

Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis and former President Donald Trump (Getty Images)

 

Former President Trump will turn himself in Thursday night at the Fulton County jail in Atlanta, Georgia after he was charged with 13 counts stemming from the state probe into his alleged efforts to overturn the 2020 presidential election in the state.

The court set Trump’s bail at $200,000, and he is expected to be quickly processed and released. Fox News Digital has learned his formal arraignment, where he is expected to plead not guilty, will take place sometime early next month.

It is expected that Trump will be required to take a mugshot. Others charged out of Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis’ probe, like former Trump lawyers Rudy Giuliani, Sidney Powell, Jenna Ellis and more had their photos taken during processing.

“NOBODY HAS EVER FOUGHT FOR ELECTION INTEGRITY LIKE PRESIDENT DONALD J. TRUMP,” Trump posted on Truth Social. “FOR DOING SO, I WILL PROUDLY BE ARRESTED…IN GEORGIA GOD BLESS THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA!!!

Georgia secretary of state expects subpoena as Mark Meadows seeks to move Trump election case to fed

FILE – White House chief of staff Mark Meadows speaks with reporters at the White House, Oct. 21, 2020, in Washington. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon, File)

Georgia’s secretary of state reportedly is to be subpoenaed to testify during a hearing to determine if former White House Chief of Staff Mark Meadows’ election interference case will be transferred to federal court next week.

Meadows, meanwhile, had an emergency motion seeking to prevent his “imminent arrest” in Fulton County denied Wednesday, a day before former President Donald Trump was set to turn himself in. Meadows had sought to stall his arrest pending the outcome of an evidentiary hearing over the possibility of his RICO charges be moved from state to federal court, FOX 5 Atlanta reported.

A judge, however, ruled the state should continue for now unless the feds notify the court that they’re taking over jurisdiction. Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis set a deadline for noon Thursday for Meadows, Trump and allies to turn themselves in.

“While Meadows’s imminent arrest may present an actual injury, there are strong countervailing reasons to not enjoin the state criminal proceedings,” the judge’s decision Wednesday said. “Thus, the Court determines that, the clear statutory language for removing a criminal prosecution, does not support an injunction or temporary stay prohibiting District Attorney Willis’s enforcement or execution of the arrest warrant against Meadows.”

Giuliani mugshot released after he turns himself in on Trump-Georgia 2020 case

A mugshot of former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani was released Wednesday after he was booked in Fulton County Jail on charges connected to alleged efforts to overturn the results of the 2020 presidential election in Georgia. (Fulton County Sheriff’s Office)

 

A mugshot of Rudy Giuliani was released Wednesday after the former New York City mayor turned himself in at an Atlanta jail on charges connected to alleged efforts to overturn the results of the 2020 presidential election in Georgia.

Giuliani, 79, was indicted last week along with former President Donald Trump and 17 others. Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis said they participated in a wide-ranging conspiracy to subvert the will of the voters after the Republican president lost to Democrat Joe Biden in November 2020.

Giuliani is accused of spearheading Trump’s efforts to compel state lawmakers in Georgia and other closely contested states to illegally appoint electoral college electors favorable to Trump.

Bond for Giuliani, who was released after booking like the other defendants, was set at $150,000, second only to Trump’s $200,000.

Other high-profile defendants also surrendered Wednesday, including Jenna Ellis, an attorney who prosecutors say was involved in efforts to convince state lawmakers to unlawfully appoint presidential electors, and lawyer Sidney Powell, who is accused of making false statements about the election in Georgia and helping to organize a breach of voting equipment in rural Coffee County.

Who has surrendered to the Fulton County Jail?

At least 19 of the people facing charges in Fulton County, Georgia, have turned themselves into authorities to be booked.

Each of those who surrendered have been released on bond. None of former President Donald Trump’s co-defendants have yet entered pleas or been arraigned since the booking process is separate in Georgia.

Here is a list of those who have surrendered, the number of charges they face and their bond amount:

Scott Hall, an Atlanta-based bail bondsman, faces seven counts. He agreed to a $10,000 bond.

John Eastman, a former attorney for Trump, faces nine counts. His bond was set at $100,000.

Cathy Latham, a former school teacher, is charged with 11 counts and has a $75,000 bond.

David Shafer, the former Georgia GOP chairman, is charged with eight counts. He has a $75,000 bond.

Kenneth Chesebro, a former Trump campaign attorney, faces seven counts and his bond was set for $100,000.

Ray Smith III, a lawyer who represented Trump in his 2020 election challenges in Georgia, is charged with 12 counts. He agreed to a $50,000.

Sidney Powell, a former federal prosecutor who pushed false election claims, faces seven charges. Her bond was set at $100,000.

Former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani, who was Trump’s personal attorney, is charged with 13 counts and has a $150,000 bond.

Jenna Ellis, a former senior legal adviser to the Trump 2020 campaign, is charged with two counts and has agreed to a $100,000 bond.

First two Trump co-defendants were booked in Fulton County Jail on Tuesday

 

Left: Scott Hall, an Atlanta-based bail bondsman, turned himself in to the Fulton County Jail Tuesday morning on seven charges. He has been assigned a $10,000 bond. Right: Former Trump attorney John Eastman turned himself in to the Fulton County Jail Tuesday morning on charges related to advice he gave to the former president on how the 2020 election could be overturned. He accepted a $100,000 bond. (Fulton County Sheriff’s Office)

The first two of former President Donald Trump’s co-defendants in the Georgia election meddling case turned themselves in to authorities Tuesday morning.

Scott Hall, an Atlanta-based bail bondsman, and John Eastman, a former Trump attorney, were each booked at the Fulton County Jail, records show. Hall has been assigned a $10,000 bond for seven charges. Eastman accepted a $100,000 bond.

The two men were indicted last week alongside Trump and 16 others, who are accused by Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis of scheming to subvert the will of Georgia voters in a desperate bid to keep Joe Biden out of the White House. It was the fourth criminal case brought against the Republican former president.

Eastman, a former dean of Chapman University law school in Southern California, faces charges related to his advice to Trump on how the former president could overturn the 2020 election.

Hall is accused of conspiring to unlawfully access voter data and ballot counting machines at the Coffee County Election office on Jan. 7, 2021. His seven charges include one count of violation of the Georgia RICO Act, two counts of conspiracy to commit election fraud, one count of conspiracy to defraud Georgia, and three felony counts related to his alleged actions in Coffee County.

Eastman said in a statement provided by his lawyers that he was surrendering Tuesday “to an indictment that should never have been brought.” He lambasted the indictment for targeting “attorneys for their zealous advocacy on behalf of their clients” and said each of the 19 defendants was entitled to rely on the advice of lawyers and past legal precedent to challenge the election results.

Federal judge delivers blow to Trump co-defendants in Georgia election case

A federal district court judge turned down requests from two co-defendants in the Georgia racketeering case involving former President Trump to transfer jurisdiction of their cases to federal court.

Judge Steve Jones of the Northern District of Georgia issued two simultaneous orders Wednesday, denying the requests from former Trump White House chief of staff Mark Meadows and former Department of Justice civil division chief Jeff Clark. Meadows and Clark requested in their motions that their cases are transferred and for the court to allow them to avoid arrest in the case.

“Nothing Mr. Meadows is alleged in the indictment to have done is criminal per se: arranging Oval Office meetings, contacting state officials on the President’s behalf, visiting a state government building, and setting up a phone call for the President,” counsel for Meadows wrote in a court motion filed Aug. 15. “One would expect a Chief of Staff to the President of the United States to do these sorts of things.”

“Mr. Clark asks the Court either to grant a stay (or a temporary restraining order) against Fulton County … or to grant an administrative stay as we describe below,” counsel for Clark added in a motion on Aug. 21. “If the Court grants a stay … Mr. Clark would not need to be put the choice of making rushed travel arrangements to fly into Atlanta or instead risking being labeled a fugitive.”

Both Meadows and Clark argued in their motions that, because they were federal officials at the time of the alleged crimes, their cases should be handled by the federal court system.

However, Jones denied the requests, stating in the Meadows order that “the clear statutory language for removing a criminal prosecution, does not support an injunction or temporary stay prohibiting [Georgia’s] enforcement or execution of the arrest warrant against Meadows.”

 

Former President Donald Trump to surrender to Fulton County authorities after Georgia indictment

Former President Donald Trump on Thursday will turn himself in to authorities in Georgia to face charges for his efforts to overturn the 2020 election in the state.

Trump was charged by Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis with one count of violation of the Georgia RICO Act, three counts of criminal solicitation, six counts of criminal conspiracy, one count of filing false documents and two counts of making false statements.

Judge Scott McAfee of the Fulton County Superior Court set bond for the former president, and current 2024 GOP presidential frontrunner, at $200,000.

Trump and more than a dozen others were charged out of the Fulton County probe, including his former White House chief of staff Mark Meadows, his former attorneys Rudy Giuliani, Sidney Powell, Jenna Ellis, Kenneth Chesebro, Jeff Clark, John Eastman, among others.

The charges include violating the Georgia RICO Act—the Racketeer Influenced And Corrupt Organizations Act; Solicitation of Violation of Oath by a Public Officer; Conspiracy to Commit Impersonating a Public Officer; Conspiracy to Commit Forgery in the First Degree; Conspiracy to Commit False Statements and Writings; Conspiracy to Commit Filing False Documents; Conspiracy to Commit Forgery in the First Degree; Filing False Documents; and Solicitation of Violation of Oath by a Public Officer. Not everyone faces the same charges.

Trump’s indictment out of Fulton County is his fourth.

He is the first former president in United States history to face criminal charges.

source

Trump says taking a mugshot was ‘not a comfortable feeling, especially when you’ve done nothing wrong’

Trump told Fox News Digital in an exclusive interview that officials ‘insisted’ he take a mugshot

EXCLUSIVE: Former President Trump said Georgia officials “insisted” he have a mugshot taken Thursday night during processing at the Fulton County Jail, telling Fox News Digital in an exclusive interview that doing so was “not a comfortable feeling—especially when you’ve done nothing wrong.”

The former president and current 2024 Republican front-runner turned himself in Thursday night at the Fulton County Jail in Atlanta, Ga. after being charged out of District Attorney Fani Willis’ investigation into his alleged efforts to overturn the 2020 presidential election in the state.

Trump, in an exclusive interview with Fox News Digital Thursday night, said officials in Georgia “insisted” on a mugshot.

“They insisted on a mugshot and I agreed to do that,” he said. “This is the only time I’ve ever taken a mugshot.”

He added: “It is not a comfortable feeling—especially when you’ve done nothing wrong.”

Donald Trump mugshot (Fulton County Sheriff’s Office)

“This is all about election interference,” Trump said. “It all comes through Washington and the DOJ and Crooked Joe Biden—nothing like this has ever happened in our country before.”

Trump said the United States is “doing horribly, but now, it is doing worse because we have become a Third World country.”

The court had set Trump’s bail at $200,000. He was quickly processed and released Thursday evening.

The jail records stated that Trump stands at 6 feet, 3 inches and 215 pounds. The records state he has “Blond or Strawberry” hair and blue eyes.

Trump was charged with one count of violation of the Georgia RICO Act, three counts of criminal solicitation, six counts of criminal conspiracy, one count of filing false documents and two counts of making false statements.

Trump and more than a dozen others were charged out of the Fulton County probe, including his former White House chief of staff Mark Meadows, his former attorneys Rudy Giuliani, Sidney Powell, Jenna Ellis, Kenneth Chesebro, Jeff Clark, John Eastman, among others.

“It is election interference,” he said. “We did nothing wrong at all. And we have every right every single right to challenge an election that we think is dishonest that we think is very dishonest.”

Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis speaks in the Fulton County Government Center during a news conference, Monday, Aug. 14, 2023, in Atlanta. Donald Trump and several allies have been indicted in Georgia over efforts to overturn his 2020 election loss in the state. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)

Willis, on Thursday, asked the Fulton County court to set a trial date for Trump and all 18 co-defendants in the case for October 23. The move was in response to a motion for a speedy trial from defendant Kenneth Chesebro.

The judge approved the October 23 trial date, but only for Chesebro, as he was the only defendant to request a speedy trial.

Meanwhile, Trump retained Steven Sadow, an Atlanta-based white collar defense attorney, to represent him in the Fulton County case. Sadow will replace Drew Findling, who had been representing him in the matter. Findling is no longer representing Trump, a source familiar told Fox News Digital.

“I have been retained to represent President Trump in the Fulton County, Georgia case,” Sadow said in a statement. “The President should never have been indicted. He is innocent of all the charges brought against him.”

Sadow added: “We look forward to the case being dismissed or, if necessary, an unbiased, open minded jury finding the President not guilty. Prosecutions intended to advance or serve the ambitions and careers of political opponents of the President have no place in our justice system.”

The indictment out of Georgia was the fourth for Trump, who is the first former president in United States history to face criminal charges.

Trump was first charged in March out of Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg’s years-long investigation related to hush-money payments made during the 2016 presidential campaign.

Bragg alleged that Trump “repeatedly and fraudulently falsified New York business records to conceal criminal conduct that hid damaging information from the voting public during the 2016 presidential election.”

Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg was the first prosecutor to bring charges against Trump.  (Lev Radin/Pacific Press/LightRocket via Getty Images)

Those charges from Bragg came amid Special Counsel Jack Smith’s investigation into Trump’s alleged improper retention of classified records from his presidency at his Mar-a-Lago home in Palm Beach, Fla.

Trump pleaded not guilty to all 37 felony charges out of that probe. The charges include willful retention of national defense information, conspiracy to obstruct justice and false statements.

Last month, on July 27, Trump was charged with an additional three counts as part of a superseding indictment out of Smith’s investigation — an additional count of willful retention of national defense information and two additional obstruction counts.

Smith was also investigating whether Trump was involved in the Capitol riot on Jan. 6, 2021, and any alleged interference in the 2020 election result.

On Aug. 1, Trump was indicted on four federal charges out of Smith’s Jan. 6 probe.

If nothing else, once you’ve won a major party nomination, you’ve got some significant chance of winning, just by dint of being one of two people in the country who could plausibly be president at that point. 

The thrice-indicted, twice-impeached, once-defeated, politically toxic Republican standard-bearer has a real shot at the presidency again.

By every conventional standard, Donald Trump should long ago have resigned himself to a pleasant retirement playing golf at his clubs, but instead he is marching toward the Republican nomination and could, quite plausibly, return to the White House.