ENUGU, Nigeria (VOICE OF NAIJA)- A grand jury in Georgia has handed down an indictment against former President Donald Trump, along with 18 other individuals, on charges related to their alleged efforts to overturn the results of the 2020 US elections.
The indictment, consisting of 41 counts of felony racketeering and various conspiracy charges, was announced on Monday, highlighting a significant legal escalation in the ongoing investigation.
Included in the list of individuals charged are prominent figures such as lawyers Rudy Giuliani, John Eastman, Kenneth Chesebro, Jenna Ellis, Ray Smith, and other associates, as reported by NBC News.
Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis presented compelling evidence that suggests Trump and his allies exerted pressure on Georgia officials during the election, aiming to manipulate the outcome in favor of the former President.
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The indictment further alleges that Trump personally contacted Brad Raffensperger, the Republican Secretary of State in Georgia, with the intent of persuading him to uncover additional votes that would secure Trump’s victory over Joe Biden.
Additionally, the former president is accused of disseminating false information about voter fraud in Georgia to Raffensperger, Jordan Fuchs; Georgia Deputy Secretary of State and Ryan Germany; Georgia Secretary of State General Counsel, on 2 January, 2021.
Trump’s legal team, composed of Drew Findling, Jennifer Little, and Marissa Goldberg, responded to the indictment by labeling it as “shocking and absurd.” They raised concerns about the credibility of the witnesses, suggesting potential bias due to personal and political motivations.
In a Fox News Digital interview, Trump vehemently denounced the charges, characterizing them as an extension of the purported “witch hunt”, which he claimed to have faced throughout his tenure.
He further asserted that the timing of the indictment seemed calculated to coincide with his political campaign, where he claimed to be leading the Republican party by a significant margin and surpassing Joe Biden in various polls.
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The indictment in Georgia parallels similar charges faced by Trump in Washington, stemming from the events of January 2021 when a group of his supporters stormed the US Capitol building.
During a separate proceeding in August, Trump entered a not guilty plea in response to charges related to leading a conspiracy aimed at obstructing official proceedings and overturning the 2020 election.
As the legal process unfolds, the indictment marks a pivotal moment in the ongoing examination of the events surrounding the 2020 US elections and their aftermath.