Special grand jury approved in Georgia prosecutor's Trump election investigation


Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis' request for a special grand jury in her investigation of former President Donald Trump and efforts to overturn Georgia's 2020 election results has been granted.
In a letter sent last week, Willis asked Fulton County Superior Court Chief Judge Christopher Brasher for the special grand jury, saying her office has "received information indicating a reasonable probability that the state of Georgia's administration of elections in 2020, including the state's election of the president of the United States, was subject to possible criminal disruptions."
On Monday, Brasher wrote in response that a majority of judges on Fulton County's Superior Court bench agreed to the request. The special grand jury will be impaneled May 2 and "shall be authorized to investigate any and all facts and circumstances relating directly or indirectly to alleged violations of the laws of the state of Georgia." The jury can continue for a period "not to exceed 12 months," Brasher said.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
During an interview with The Associated Press earlier this month, Willis confirmed that her investigation is centered on the phone call Trump made to Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger (R) on Jan. 2, 2021. During that conversation, Trump encouraged Raffensperger to "find" the 11,780 votes needed to reverse President Biden's win in the state.
A special grand jury focuses on one topic, can be seated for more than two months, and can subpoena witnesses, but cannot issue indictments. Willis wrote in her letter to Brasher that a special grand jury was essential in her investigation because a "significant number of witnesses and prospective witnesses have refused to cooperate with the investigation absent a subpoena requiring their testimony." She said Raffensperger was one of those witnesses; he responded by saying he's been cooperative and will "follow the law and come before a grand jury and testify."
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Catherine Garcia has worked as a senior writer at The Week since 2014. Her writing and reporting have appeared in Entertainment Weekly, The New York Times, Wirecutter, NBC News and "The Book of Jezebel," among others. She's a graduate of the University of Redlands and the Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism.
-
ICE agents take down Lady Justice | June 21 editorial cartoons
Cartoons Saturday’s political cartoons include ICE, Donald Trump as a lion tamer, and ordering from the Bible
-
5 editorial cartoons about ICE raids
Cartoons Political cartoonists take on ICE raids, harvesting Big Macs for Donald Trump, and what to do when Stephen Miller shows up at the front door
-
Grilled radicchio with caper and anchovy sauce recipe
The Week Recommends Smoky twist on classic Italian flavours is perfect to grill, drizzle and devour
-
Court allows National Guard in LA as Dodgers repel feds
Speed Read The team said they 'denied entry' to ICE agents seeking to enter their stadium
-
'Is it even possible to enjoy a trip without contributing to the problem?'
Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
-
Trump ramps up Iran threats, demands 'surrender'
Speed Read Trump met with his top aides in the Situation Room on Tuesday
-
Travel ban: It's back and it's bigger
Feature Trump revives a controversial travel ban, targeting mostly poor, nonwhite countries
-
'Big Oil does not accept responsibility'
Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
-
ABA sues Trump over 'law firm intimidation policy'
Speed Read Trump has 'used the vast powers of the executive branch to coerce lawyers,' the lawsuit said
-
Judge orders Trump's NIH grant cuts reversed
Speed Read Trump had attempted to slash more than $1 billion in research grants
-
Trump leaves G7 early, warns Tehran to evacuate
Speed Read Trump claimed to have left the summit due to ongoing issues in the Middle East