Trump says he will surrender Thursday on Georgia charges tied to efforts to overturn 2020 election

49

Former President Donald Trump has announced his intention to turn himself in to authorities in Georgia on Thursday. This move comes in response to charges against him relating to alleged illegal efforts to overturn the results of the 2020 election. Trump took to his social media network on Monday night, expressing his disbelief and stating, “Can you believe it? I’ll be going to Atlanta, Georgia, on Thursday to be ARRESTED.” Court documents revealed that his bond has been set at $200,000.

In anticipation of Trump’s surrender, the Fulton County Sheriff’s Office has announced a “hard lockdown” in the vicinity of the primary county jail. This measure is in accordance with the bond agreement signed by various parties, including Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis, Trump’s defense attorneys, and the presiding judge. Notably, this agreement explicitly covers posts and reposts on social media platforms.

Throughout his legal battles, Trump has made use of social media to criticize those involved in the cases against him. His online posts have targeted individuals such as Fani Willis and Georgia Governor Brian Kemp, who rejected Trump’s attempts to overturn the election outcome.

The terms of the bond agreement prohibit the former president from making direct or indirect threats against witnesses or co-defendants. Furthermore, Trump is prohibited from discussing the details of the case with these individuals, with communication allowed only through legal representatives.

The bond amount set for Trump on the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations (RICO) charge is $80,000, with an additional $10,000 for each of the 12 other counts he faces. Bonds serve as collateral to ensure defendants appear in court before their trials. Fani Willis has stipulated a deadline of noon Friday for Trump and his 18 co-defendants to surrender for booking. Arraignments are proposed to take place during the week of September 5th, with a trial scheduled for March of the following year.

In Fulton County, defendants not in custody often work with their lawyers and the district attorney’s office to determine bond amounts before arraignment. Once booked at the Fulton County jail, they undergo the usual booking procedures, including photography and fingerprinting. Since Trump’s bond has already been established, he will be released from custody upon completing the booking process.

As of now, Trump’s spokesperson and his legal representatives have not provided immediate comments regarding these developments.

This recent indictment in Georgia is part of a series of legal challenges that Trump is facing. He has been charged alongside numerous allies accused of conspiring to undermine the voters’ will in an attempt to secure his presidency after losing to Democrat Joe Biden. Trump has consistently denied any wrongdoing, framing these cases, along with others he faces, as efforts to hinder his upcoming presidential campaign in 2024. Through his Truth Social platform, Trump continues to target prosecutors and propagate claims that the 2020 election was stolen from him.

In a post on Monday, Trump referred to the Fulton County district attorney as “crooked, incompetent, & highly partisan.” He also criticized Governor Brian Kemp for his refusal to intervene in the 2020 election. Kemp has consistently pushed back against Trump’s claims, stating that the election in Georgia was not stolen.

Besides Trump, three lawyers indicted alongside him also had their bond amounts set. For the RICO charge, their bond ranged from $20,000 to $100,000. The charges against these lawyers relate to their alleged involvement in election-related activities. The broader case also involves figures such as former White House chief of staff Mark Meadows, Trump’s attorney Rudy Giuliani, and Jeffrey Clark, a former Justice Department official.

This indictment in Georgia follows closely after the Justice Department’s special counsel charged Trump in a separate case involving a larger conspiracy to overturn the election results. In addition to these election-related cases, Trump is also facing federal charges for allegedly possessing classified documents illegally and state charges in New York for falsifying business records.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Election-Related Charges

More about Election-Related Charges

• Former President Trump Faces Charges in Georgia
• Details of the Charges Against Donald Trump
• Fulton County Sheriff’s Office Announcement
• Donald Trump’s Social Media Posts
• Fani Willis, Fulton County District Attorney
• Trump’s Truth Social Platform
• Indictment of Trump Allies
• Arraignment and Trial Timeline
• Governor Brian Kemp’s Statements
• Justice Department’s Special Counsel Charges