It started with a telephone call.
Shortly after Donald Trump’s extraordinary Jan. 2, 2021 conversation with Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger went viral, Atlanta-area District Attorney Fani Willis launched a far-reaching criminal investigation into interference in the 2020 election that now stands at a crucial inflection point.
Here is what we know:
- Big hearing: On Tuesday, a Fulton County Georgia judge is set to consider whether the findings of a special grand jury’s months-long investigation, including any recommendations related to the possible prosecution of the former president and his allies, should be made public.
- Imminent threat to Trump: Analysts have characterized the inquiry as perhaps the most serious legal threat facing the former president.
- Top Trump aides in crosshairs:Trump attorney Rudy Giuliani, designated as a target in the inquiry, headlined a list of former aides and allies of the former president summoned to testify before the panel.
Georgia special grand jury ends probe:Georgia special grand jury wraps up investigation of Trump, allies
Trump call to Raffensperger led to wider investigation
While the inquiry started with Trump’s call to Raffensperger, in which the former president urged Georgia’s top election official to “find 11,780 votes” to tilt the 2020 statewide election in his favor, the inquiry has since expanded to include a wide-ranging examination of election fraud.
Specifically, Willis has said authorities have been investigating possible election fraud, conspiracy, oath of office violations, racketeering and election-related violence.
In addition to Guiliani, prosecutors have designated nearly two-dozen others, including a group of Republican electors who falsely certified that Trump had won the election, as potential targets.
Witnesses include Trump allies Lindsey Graham, Michael Flynn and John Eastman
The list of grand jury witnesses included current and former public officials, many who have been part of Trump’s inner-circle.
Among them:
- Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., who was summoned for questions about his contacts with Georgia election officials.
- Former Trump national security adviser Michael Flynn, a vocal proponent of false claims of election fraud
- Trump lawyer John Eastman, who helped develop Trump’s strategy to overturn Biden’s presidential election victory.
