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Former US president Donald Trump and his 18 co-defendants meet deadline, surrendering at Fulton County Jail on election interference charges.
Published on August 25, 2023
In a historic turn of events, former US President Donald Trump and all 18 of his co-defendants in the Georgia election interference case have complied with the legal requirements, surrendering themselves to authorities at the Fulton County Jail in Atlanta. This move comes as they face charges related to their alleged involvement in unlawfully attempting to alter the outcome of the 2020 United States election within the state of Georgia.
Arriving before the noon deadline on Friday (16:00 GMT), each of the nineteen defendants, including Trump himself, turned themselves in to the Fulton County Jail, situated in Atlanta. This marked a crucial moment in the ongoing legal battle surrounding the election interference allegations.
Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis, who initiated the indictment against the former president and his associates earlier in the month, had firmly stated that any individual failing to comply with the legal proceedings would be subject to an arrest warrant.
The charges laid out by Georgia prosecutors assert that Trump and his co-defendants engaged in a conspiracy aimed at “unlawfully changing the outcome” of the 2020 United States election in Georgia. Despite these allegations, all the accused parties, including Trump, have vehemently denied any wrongdoing.
Remarkably, aside from one defendant, each of the individuals facing charges had already established a bond agreement prior to their arrival at the jail this week. Consequently, upon surrendering, they were promptly released after fulfilling their bond obligations. Their fingerprints and mugshots were also taken during the process.
Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis has set forth the request for arraignments to transpire during the week of September 5. These arraignments will mark the stage where the accused individuals formally learn of the charges against them and are given the opportunity to enter their pleas in court.
Here’s a closer look at some of the key figures and their situations:
Donald Trump
Donald Trump, a prominent figure in the Republican Party’s 2024 presidential nomination race, surrendered himself at the Fulton County jail around 7:30 pm on Thursday. Within the facility, he spent approximately 20 minutes before becoming the first former US president to have his mugshot taken. Subsequently, he was released on a $200,000 bond. Trump is facing 13 charges in connection with the case, including racketeering, solicitation of a public official to violate their oath of office, and conspiracy-related charges.
Rudy Giuliani
Former mayor of New York City and Trump’s personal lawyer, Giuliani, surrendered on Wednesday, facing the same number of charges as Trump. These charges stem from accusations of false statements and solicitation of false testimony. He was released on a $150,000 bond.
Mark Meadows
Trump’s former White House chief of staff, Mark Meadows, has been charged under Georgia’s Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations law (RICO). Additionally, he faces a charge of soliciting a public officer to violate their oath of office. He surrendered on Thursday and was released on a $100,000 bond.
John Eastman
Conservative lawyer John Eastman, widely regarded as the legal mind behind the efforts to overturn the 2020 election results, surrendered on Tuesday. He faces nine charges and was released on a $100,000 bond.
Kenneth Chesebro
Chesebro, a lawyer associated with the Trump campaign, has been charged with supporting a plan to manipulate the election process to delay the certification of Biden’s 2020 victory. He requested a “speedy trial” and is the only defendant to do so. The trial is set to begin on October 23.
Jeffrey Clark
Former US Department of Justice official Jeffrey Clark surrendered on Friday on two charges: racketeering and committing false statements and writings. He was released on a $100,000 bond.
Jenna Ellis
Trump’s lawyer Jenna Ellis was charged with racketeering and solicitation of a public official to violate their oath of office. She surrendered on Wednesday and was released on a $100,000 bond.
Robert Cheeley
Georgia trial lawyer Robert Cheeley turned himself in on Friday. He faces 10 charges, including perjury, and was released on a $50,000 bond.
Mike Roman
Trump campaign official Mike Roman turned himself in on Friday, with bail set at $50,000. He faces seven charges.
David Shafer
Former chairman of the Georgia Republican Party, David Shafer, surrendered on Wednesday. He was released on a $75,000 bond.
Shawn Still
Georgia state senator Shawn Still surrendered early on Friday and was released on a $10,000 bond. He faces seven charges.
Stephen Lee
Lutheran pastor Stephen Lee, accused of pressuring an election worker, surrendered on Friday. He was the last defendant to turn himself in.
Harrison Floyd
Former marine and leader of “Black Voices for Trump,” Harrison Floyd, was charged in connection with efforts to intimidate an election worker. He was not immediately released upon turning himself in.
Trevian Kutti
Chicago-based publicist Trevian Kutti surrendered on Thursday, facing three charges related to intimidating an election worker. Her bond was set at $75,000.
Sidney Powell
Trump’s 2020 campaign lawyer Sidney Powell surrendered on Wednesday. She faces seven charges connected to a voting systems breach and was released on a $100,000 bond.
Cathy Latham
Cathy Latham, a “fake elector,” surrendered on Wednesday. She faces 11 charges and was released on a $75,000 bond.
Scott Hall
Bail bondsman Scott Hall was the first to surrender this week. He faces seven charges, including allegations of helping breach a Coffee County voting machine. He was released on a $10,000 bond.
Misty Hampton
Former election supervisor Misty Hampton surrendered early Friday, facing seven charges connected to accusations of breaching voting systems. She was released on a $10,000 bond.
Ray Smith
Trump campaign lawyer Ray Smith faces 12 charges related to his testimony to Georgia legislators. He surrendered on Wednesday and was released on a $50,000 bond.
In closing, the surrender of former President Donald Trump and his co-defendants in the Georgia election interference case marks a significant chapter in the legal proceedings surrounding the alleged attempt to unlawfully change the outcome of the 2020 United States election. As they prepare for upcoming arraignments, the outcomes of these proceedings will likely shape the future course of their legal battles.
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