Trump Charged In Georgia, Alongside Election Subversion Allies
Aug 15, 2023
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"Trump Charged In Georgia" features Susan Davis, Carrie Johnson, and Stephen Fowler discussing the indictment of Donald Trump and others in Georgia for election subversion. They delve into the significance of the charges, the actions of the indicted individuals, the expertise of prosecutor Fannie Willis, challenges in the trial, and the potential impact on Trump's presidency.
The indictment alleges a wide-ranging scheme to overturn Georgia's election results and implicates Trump as the leader of the conspiracy.
Fulton County prosecutor Fannie Willis views the Rico statute as a powerful tool to craft a compelling narrative and intends to try all 19 defendants together within six months.
Deep dives
Charges under Georgia's Rico statute in indictment of Donald Trump and others
The podcast discusses the recent indictment of Donald Trump and 18 other individuals in Georgia under the state's Rico statute. The charges allege a scheme to overturn Georgia's 2020 election results and implicate Trump as the leader of a wide-ranging conspiracy. The district attorney, Fannie Willis, explains that participants took various actions to block the county's certified votes. The charges carry serious penalties, usually ranging from five to 20 years in prison. The podcast highlights key individuals named in the indictment, including Trump, Rudy Giuliani, John Eastman, Sidney Powell, and Mark Meadows, discussing their roles in efforts to overturn the election. The podcast also explores the possibility of defendants cooperating with prosecutors and the potential impact of the case on upcoming elections.
Fannie Willis, the Fulton County prosecutor leading the case
This section focuses on Fannie Willis, the Fulton County prosecutor leading the case against Trump and others. Willis is known for her expertise in prosecuting racketeering cases and has successfully handled notable cases involving public school teachers. The podcast highlights how Willis sees the Rico statute as a powerful tool to craft a narrative and tell a compelling story. The discussion mentions her intention to try all 19 defendants together and the possibility of a trial date within six months. The podcast also touches on potential conflicts with the special counsel investigation and the limitations of presidential pardoning power in state cases.
Political and legal implications of the indictment
The podcast raises the political and legal implications of the indictment. It notes that the case could have an impact on the 2022 midterm elections in Georgia, given the previous success of Republicans who defended the election results. The discussion also explores the broader national implications as Trump may face voters in other states where he attempted to overturn the election. The podcast considers how the case may influence down-ballot races and voter sentiment, particularly in states where the election was closely contested. Finally, it highlights the potential consequences for Trump, both politically and legally, if found guilty in the state case and the limitations on his ability to pardon himself.
The indictment alleges a sweeping scheme to overturn the state's election results. Unlike the federal charges brought by the special counsel Jack Smith, Trump — should he win reelection — would have no legal authority to pardon himself of any state-level convictions which could result from the latest charges.
This episode: political correspondent Susan Davis, national justice correspondent Carrie Johnson, and Georgia Public Broadcasting reporter Stephen Fowler.
The podcast is produced by Elena Moore and Casey Morell. Our editor is Eric McDaniel. Our executive producer is Muthoni Muturi.
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