Topline
A superior court judge in Fulton County, Georgia, denied former President Donald Trump’s latest request to end a high-profile investigation into his alleged interference in the 2020 presidential election, as Trump prepares for a potential third indictment in the midst of his 2024 re-election bid.
Former President Donald Trump’s bid to quash the Fulton County investigation into alleged election … [+]
Key Facts
Superior Court Judge Robert McBurney ruled against a request from Trump and Cathleen Latham—an “alternate” GOP elector who joined Trump’s motion—to quash a state grand jury’s final report, in an attempt to thwart state prosecutors from using evidence from the grand jury and disqualify the county district attorney’s office from continuing its investigation or prosecuting Trump for alleged election interference.
In a nine-page order, McBurney ruled that Trump and Latham do not have legal standing to present a challenge during a “pre-indictment phase of the proceedings,” finding their claims of “injuries” are “either insufficient or else speculative and unrealized.”
Trump hasn’t been indicted in Georgia, and it’s unclear whether a special grand jury convened by prosecutors recommended criminally charging him.
What To Watch For
A potential indictment. The Georgia Supreme Court denied Trump’s request earlier this month to halt Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis’ investigation into his alleged attempts to overturn the results of his 2020 election loss to President Joe Biden. A grand jury would need to vote to indict Trump, who has denied the allegations—though a special grand jury earlier this year reportedly recommended multiple people be indicted as a result of the investigation. The probe stems, in large part, from Trump’s self-claimed “perfect” phone call to Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger, when Trump asked officials to “find” enough votes for him to win Georgia.
Tangent
Trump has faced a host of legal challenges since announcing his 2024 re-election bid in November, and last week was charged with three new felony counts in the Justice Department’s case over allegations Trump mishandled classified White House documents after leaving the Oval Office. On Thursday, DOJ Special Counsel Jack Smith levied charges including willfully retaining national defense documents and obstruction of justice, alleging Trump attempted to delete security footage at Mar-A-Lago. Trump was also indicted in March by a Manhattan grand jury in a case stemming from alleged hush money payments to three people in the lead-up to the 2016 presidential election, including adult film star Stormy Daniels. Meanwhile, Trump said earlier this month the DOJ informed him that he’s a target of a federal investigation into attempts to overturn the 2020 election, leading up to the January 6 riot.
Further Reading
BREAKING: Judge rejects Trump bid to upend Georgia probe (Atlanta Journal-Constitution)
Will Trump Be Indicted Again In Georgia? What To Know As State Supreme Court Lets DA’s Investigation Move Forward (Forbes)
Trump Charged With 3 New Felonies In Mar-A-Lago Classified Documents Case (Forbes)