Politically Georgia

Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis has always been portrayed as tough as nails, willing to take on the most daunting individuals she thinks have committed crimes. She’s doing just that in prosecuting former President Donald Trump and a number of his allies, now indicted for attempting to overturn the results of Georgia’s 2020 presidential election. But at a closed-door fundraiser, Willis acknowledged that it’s not easy being the target of hatred and lies coming from supporters of the former president. Greg Bluestein shares exclusive audio of Willis's heartfelt comments on today’s episode.Also on today’s episode, an interview with Rep. Ruwa Romman, the first Palestinian-American member of the Georgia legislature, who says that as a legislator, she is trying to find a balance in how she responds to the vicious Hamas attacks on Israel and the devastating attacks now being launched on Gaza by Israel. Hosts Greg Bluestein, Patricia Murphy and Tia Mitchell will sit down for an interview with the legislature’s only Jewish member, Rep. Esther Panitch, on tomorrow’s podcast.Plus, at the time the podcast was recorded this morning, the U.S. House still had failed to elect a new speaker. As AJC Washington reporter Tia Mitchell says, “It feels like Ground Hog’s Day.” Have a question for the show? Call the 24-hour Politically Georgia Podcast Hotline at 404-526-AJCP. That's 404-526-2527. We’ll play back your question and answer it during the Listener Mailbag segment on next Friday’s episode.  Links to today's topics:WIllis: "There are some days I'm angry or hurt"More on Rep. Ruwa Romman                                       Jim Jordan aims for second vote to become speaker  Subscribe to the AJC: If you aren’t a subscriber to The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, click here to get unlimited digital access to the AJC at a special price.  Listen and subscribe to our podcast for free at Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts. You can also tell your smart speaker to “play Politically Georgia podcast.” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Late this week jury selection will begin in the trial of Sidney Powell and Kenneth Chesebro, two of the 19 defendants – including former President Donald Trump – charged by Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis with conspiring to overturn the results of Georgia’s 2020 presidential election. Powell and Chesebro exercised their right under Georgia law for a speedy trial, and so will be tried separately from Trump and his fellow defendants. In this episode of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution’s Politically Georgia podcast, the AJC’s Tamar Hallerman, who has followed every step of Willis’ investigation of Trump and his allies, joins Greg Bluestein and Bill Nigut with a preview of what to expect as jury selection gets underway with the trial soon to follow. Plus, Congressman Jim Jordan has the support of every GOP member of Georgia’s U.S. House delegation as Jordan pushes his bid to become speaker of the House. But does Jordan have the votes to win? AJC Washington correspondent Tia Mitchell shares her analysis as the battle gets underway on the floor of the House.And later, just what is Herschel Walker doing with the $4.5 million in unspent campaign contributions sitting in his campaign bank account? Contemplating another run for office? The former UGA football legend is remaining mum on the subject, which is leading to plenty of speculation among Georgia Republicans. Have a question for the show? Call the 24-hour Politically Georgia Podcast Hotline at 404-526-AJCP. That's 404-526-2527. We’ll play back your question and answer it during the Listener Mailbag segment on next Friday’s episode.  Links to today's topics:Powell and Chesebro win early trial dateGeorgia GOP Reps say "Jordan for speaker"Herschel Walker’s mountain of campaign cash   Subscribe to the AJC: If you aren’t a subscriber to The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, click here to get unlimited digital access to the AJC at a special price. Listen and subscribe to our podcast for free at Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts. You can also tell your smart speaker to “play Politically Georgia podcast.” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Rep. Austin Scott, the senior member of Georgia’s GOP House delegation spent much of last week fuming over the GOP conference’s inability to elect a new candidate for Speaker of the House. And so on Friday, with Jim Jordan poised to be the only declared candidate in the race, Scott surprised his colleagues, the Capitol Hill press corps, and almost his own wife, and declared himself a candidate for the position. Scott lost to Jordan, but emerged from his status as a little-known maverick conservative into the national spotlight. The AJC’s Tia Mitchell, Patricia Murphy, Greg Bluestein, and Bill Nigut look at the factors that led Scott to launch his last-minute surprise bid and where his sudden prominence could take him next. And Tia Mitchell evaluates the likelihood that Republicans will rally to name Jordan speaker this week. Plus, Governor Brian Kemp had his own moment in the GOP sun again this past weekend when he mingled with big wig Republican donors and leaders at their Sea Island, Georgia, meeting. Is Kemp laying the groundwork to run for U.S. Senate against Senator Jon Ossoff in 2026? The hosts weigh. And they look at the future potential aspirations of Brad Raffensperger, Burt Jones, Chris Carr and other state Republicans; and speculate on Democrats who may be considering stepping up for statewide races. You’ll also get a look at the split in the language Democratic and Republican legislators are using in statements of support for Israel in the war against Hamas. Have a question for the show? Call the 24-hour Politically Georgia Podcast Hotline at 404-526-AJCP. That's 404-526-2527. We’ll play back your question and answer it during the Listener Mailbag segment on next Friday’s episode.  Links to today's topics: What led to Austin Scott's surprise bid to become speaker?Austin Scott: A conservative with a maverick streakA sharp divide over Israel in Georgia House  Subscribe to the AJC: If you aren’t a subscriber to The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, click here to get unlimited digital access to the AJC at a special price. Listen and subscribe to our podcast for free at Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts. You can also tell your smart speaker to “play Politically Georgia podcast.” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The AJC’s Tia Mitchell, Patricia Murphy, Greg Bluestein and Bill Nigut talk with Homerville State Senator Russ Goodman, who was on a personal trip with his mother to Israel when the Hamas terrorist attacks broke out. He describes being surrounded by small arms fire and explosions and eventually made a harrowing journey to Jordan to get a plane back to the United States. And as Georgia political leaders rally around Israel, Governor Kemp announces he’s authorized the state to buy $10 million in Israel bonds to aid in the war effort. Then, Tia Mitchell and the panel look at the chaos that continues to roil U.S. House Republicans as Steve Scalise drops out of the race for speaker. Plus, our hosts answer questions from the listener mailbag and give their takes on who’s up and who’s down for the week. If you’d like to ask a question on the show, call the 24-hour Politically Georgia Podcast Hotline. The number is    404-526-AJCP. That's 404-526-2527. We’ll play back your question and answer it during the Listener Mailbag segment on next Friday’s episode.  Links to today’s topics:Kemp back Israel war effort with $10 million in Israel bondsGeorgia House members speak out on speaker chaos  Subscribe to the AJC: If you aren’t a subscriber to The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, click here to get unlimited digital access to the AJC at a special price. Listen and subscribe to our podcast for free at Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts. You can also tell your smart speaker to “play Politically Georgia podcast.”  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The House has adjourned without electing a new Speaker because while Majority Leader Steve Scalise won the GOP nomination for the job, he doesn’t have enough votes to win the gavel outright. In this episode of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution’s Politically Georgia podcast, the AJC’s Patricia Murphy, Bill Nigut and Tia Mitchell report on the continuing split among Georgia Republican members over whether to vote for Scalise, Judiciary Chair Jim Jordan or a dark horse candidate. In the meantime, the House can conduct virtually no business. Plus, hear about the slippery slope that elected officials face if they show anything less than unequivocal support for Israel’s war against Hamas. Calls for peace in the region are being booed, and politicians are finding they have to be careful in how they express concern for the safety of Palestinian civilians in Gaza. Finally, how film and TV industry executives are pushing back against state lawmakers who believe it’s time to reduce the lucrative tax credits the state offers production companies. Have a question for the show? Call the 24-hour Politically Georgia Podcast Hotline at 404-526-AJCP. That's 404-526-2527. We’ll play back your question and answer it during the Listener Mailbag segment on Friday’s episode.  Links to today’s topics:Georgia GOP House members on Speaker electionGeorgia leaders react to Hamas attacksFilm and TV executives defend Georgia tax credits   Subscribe to the AJC: If you aren’t a subscriber to The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, click here to get unlimited digital access to the AJC at a special price. Listen and subscribe to our podcast for free at Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts. You can also tell your smart speaker to “play Politically Georgia podcast.” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Republican battle is underway to elect a new speaker of the house. In this episode of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution’s Politically Georgia podcast, hosts Bill Nigut, Greg Bluestein, Patricia Murphy and Tia Mitchell discuss the apparent split in the Georgia delegation between casting their ballots for either Majority Leader Steve Scalise or Judiciary Chair Jim Jordan. But is Kevin McCarthy in the mix as well?Plus, As Israel prosecutes its punishing war against Hamas, as many as 4,000 people attended at a solidarity rally in Sandy Springs on Tuesday night. The horror of the Hamas Terror attacks continues to drive the news cycle and lend justification for Israel’s war. Greg Bluestein and Bill Nigut look at the depth of support for the Israeli cause, especially as civilian casualties in Gaza begin to appear in the headlines. And the Fulton County district attorney’s office has revealed a new list of witnesses they plan to call in the October trial of Kenneth Chesebro and Sidney Powell. Among them, conspiracy theorist and podcaster Alex Jones and Republican National Chair Ronna McDaniel.  Have a question for the show? Call the 24-hour Politically Georgia Podcast Hotline at 404-526-AJCP. That's 404-526-2527. We’ll play back your question and answer it during the Listener Mailbag segment on next Friday’s episode.  Links to today's topics: Fight to elect a new Speaker of the U.S. HousePatricia Murphy: House needs a leaderGeorgians show support for IsraelMassive Atlanta rally in support of IsraelNew witnesses in election conspiracy caseConspiracy theorist, RNC chair on list to testify  Subscribe to the AJC: If you aren’t a subscriber to The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, click here to get unlimited digital access to the AJC at a special price. Listen and subscribe to our podcast for free at Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts. You can also tell your smart speaker to “play Politically Georgia podcast.” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Georgia elected officials say they stand in solidarity with Israel after the most devastating attack on Israel since the 1973 Yom Kippur War. On this episode of the Politically Georgia podcast from The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, hosts Greg Bluestein, Bill Nigut and Tia Mitchell are joined by American Jewish Committee Southern director Dov Wilker to look at how political leaders and members of the Georgia Jewish community are responding to the Hamas terrorist attack which killed more than 900 Israelis.AJC Washington correspondent Tia Mitchell reports on how the Israeli war brings new urgency to the GOP effort to elect a speaker of the House. Two candidates are in the race right now – Majority Leader Steve Scalise and Judiciary Chair Jim Jordan. But could Kevin McCarthy make a comeback bid to regain the gavel?Plus, Greg Bluestein shares details of his exclusive reporting on how Republican state senate leaders are using a newly established district attorney oversight commission to reprimand Fulton County DA Fani Willis for her indictment of Donald Trump.Have a question for the show? Call the 24-hour Politically Georgia Podcast Hotline at 404-526-AJCP. That's 404-526-2527. We’ll play back your question and answer it during the Listener Mailbag segment on next Friday’s episode. Links to today's topics:Georgia Leaders React to Attacks on Israel Selecting GOP leader becomes urgent in shadow of war GOP senate leaders seek to punish Fani Willis The Atlantic: 'We're Going to Die Here'  Subscribe to the AJC: If you aren’t a subscriber to The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, click here to get unlimited digital access to the AJC at a special price. Listen and subscribe to our podcast for free at Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts. You can also tell your smart speaker to “play Politically Georgia podcast.”   Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The AJC’s Patricia Murphy, Tia Mitchell, and Bill Nigut look at news stories that are in the headlines right now: Ten people – so far – have died this year while in custody in Fulton County in just the past nine months alone. The jail is drastically overcrowded and many areas of the building are actually crumbling. This week, Lt. Governor Burt Jones and state Senator John Albers announced that a senate subcommittee will begin an investigation of conditions at the jail with hopes of finding remedies to some of the problems. AJC reporter Maya Prabhu joins the conversation on the jail. Then: the panel looks at some of the witnesses Fani Willis plans to call when the trial of two defendants in the Georgia election interference case gets underway in just a few weeks. Plus, how will Georgia GOP House members cast their ballots for the next speaker of the U.S. House. Plus: questions from the listener mailbag that you can now call into at 404-526-AJCP. That's 404-526-2527. The panel also chooses who’s up and who’s down as the week comes to an end. Links to today’s topics: Investigation of Fulton County Jail won’t be ‘adversarial,’ LG Jones saysFulton DA previews witnesses for first Trump RICO trialGeorgians on Speaker VoteWashington Post column by Karen Tumilty Subscribe to the AJC: If you aren’t a subscriber to The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, click here to get unlimited digital access to the AJC at a special price. Listen and subscribe to our podcast for free at Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts. You can also tell your smart speaker to “play Politically Georgia podcast.”  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

After a revolt in the U.S. House, Speaker Kevin McCarthy loses the gavel. On today’s Politically Georgia podcast from The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, hosts Greg Bluestein, Tia Mitchell, Bill Nigut and Patricia Murphy explain why McCarthy’s ouster leaves Georgia leaders in flux.Plus, one of the defendants in the Fulton County election interference case has accepted a deal to plead guilty. Learn what this means for the prosecution and other lower-level defendants in the case.And, you’ll hear what protections civil rights groups and others are calling for as prospective jurors in the Trump RICO case face potential threats from Trump supporters.Have a question for the show? Call the 24-hour Politically Georgia Podcast Hotline at 404-526-AJCP. That's 404-526-2527.  We’ll play back your question and answer it during the Listener Mailbag segment on next Friday’s episode. Links to today's topics: The Jolt: With House speaker’s ouster, Georgia Republicans weigh what’s nextFulton prosecutors float plea deals to Trump defendantsGroups warn attacks on prospective jurors in Trump trial could escalateSubscribe to the AJC: If you aren’t a subscriber to The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, click here to get unlimited digital access to the AJC at a special price. Listen and subscribe to our podcast for free at Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts. You can also tell your smart speaker to “play Politically Georgia podcast.” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

While many court observers believed that Donald Trump would file a motion to have his Georgia election conspiracy case moved to federal court, his lawyers have announced they want the case argued in Fulton County Superior Court. In this episode of Politically Georgia, Patricia Murphy, Bill Nigut, Tia Mitchell and Greg Bluestein look at why Trump has decided to accept the Fulton County venue. A major bonus of the decision: the trial will now be televised.Then, hardline Republicans in the U.S. House continue to block efforts to reach even a short-term spending deal. It now appears all but certain that the federal government will shut down starting on Sunday.Plus AJC reporter Ernie Suggs, who has covered the Carter family for decades, joins the panel to talk about the remarkable staying power of former president Jimmy Carter. He turns 99 on October 1, seven months after giving up life-sustaining hospital care to go into home hospice.And our panel will answer listener questions and share their picks for who’s up and who’s down for the week.Links to today's topics: Democratic Sen. Dianne Feinstein of California dies at age 90, sources tell the APBREAKING: Trump will not seek to move Fulton case to federal courtMcCarthy rejects Senate spending bill while scrambling for a House plan that averts a shutdownNinety-nine ways to celebrate Jimmy Carter   Subscribe to the AJC: If you aren’t a subscriber to The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, click here to get unlimited digital access to the AJC at a special price.   Listen and subscribe to our podcast for free at Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or Google Podcasts. You can also tell your smart speaker to “play Politically Georgia podcast.”    Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices