Former US president Donald Trump in November last year. Reuters
Former US president Donald Trump in November last year. Reuters
Former US president Donald Trump in November last year. Reuters
Former US president Donald Trump in November last year. Reuters

Georgia grand jury suspects perjury in probe of Trump election interference


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A grand jury in Georgia said some witnesses lied under oath during an investigation into former president Donald Trump's efforts to overturn his 2020 presidential electoral defeat in the state, a final report has shown.

Excerpts of the report, released on Thursday, also concluded that there was no widespread fraud in the election, despite Mr Trump's claims, and delivered recommendations on indictments to prosecutors.

Those recommendations will remain sealed for now, pursuant to a judge's order.

Mr Trump did not testify before the grand jury.

Fulton County Superior Court Judge Robert McBurney said the report included “a roster of who should (or should not) be indicted”.

But the judge ruled those details would stay secret for now out of concern that people named have not had an adequate opportunity to defend themselves.

Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis opened an investigation shortly after Mr Trump in January 2021 called a Georgia state official asking him to “find” enough votes to declare the Republican incumbent the winner in the state rather than Democrat Joe Biden.

Mr Trump, who has launched another run for the White House in 2024, has made debunked claims that the 2020 election was stolen from him through widespread voting fraud.

He has denied wrongdoing and accused Ms Willis of going after him for political reasons.

The Georgia investigation is one of several threatening Mr Trump, including separate Justice Department inquiries into his retention of classified materials after leaving office as well as his efforts to invalidate the 2020 election results.

The special grand jury had subpoena power, which it used to secure sworn evidence from close Trump allies such as lawyer Rudy Giuliani and Republican Senator Lindsey Graham, as well as top Georgia officials including Republican Governor Brian Kemp.

Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis talks with a member of her team during proceedings to look into the actions of former President Donald Trump and his supporters who tried to overturn the results of the 2020 election. AP
Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis talks with a member of her team during proceedings to look into the actions of former President Donald Trump and his supporters who tried to overturn the results of the 2020 election. AP

Ms Willis can decide if prosecution is warranted and choose to pursue indictments from a regular grand jury.

At a January court hearing on whether to release the report, Ms Willis said charging decisions were “imminent”.

Mr Trump called Georgia's top election official, Brad Raffensperger, on January 2, 2021, and claimed falsely that the election results were fraudulent. A recording of the call was leaked.

“I just want to find 11,780 votes, which is one more than we have, because we won the state,” said Mr Trump, referring to the margin of 11,779 votes by which Mr Biden won.

Four days later, a mob of Trump supporters stormed the US Capitol in a failed bid to stop Congress from certifying Mr Biden's victory.

  • Donald Trump, the president at the time, speaks during a rally protesting the electoral college certification of Joe Biden as president in Washington on January 6, 2021. AP
    Donald Trump, the president at the time, speaks during a rally protesting the electoral college certification of Joe Biden as president in Washington on January 6, 2021. AP
  • A mob loyal to Mr Trump tries to break through a police barrier at the Capitol. AP
    A mob loyal to Mr Trump tries to break through a police barrier at the Capitol. AP
  • The mob waves pro-Trump flags in front of the Capitol building. AP
    The mob waves pro-Trump flags in front of the Capitol building. AP
  • Riot police push back a crowd of rioters at the Capitol building. AFP
    Riot police push back a crowd of rioters at the Capitol building. AFP
  • Trump supporters clash with police and security forces as people try to storm the US Capitol building. AFP
    Trump supporters clash with police and security forces as people try to storm the US Capitol building. AFP
  • Insurrectionists loyal to Mr Trump try to open a door of the US Capitol building as they riot in Washington. AP
    Insurrectionists loyal to Mr Trump try to open a door of the US Capitol building as they riot in Washington. AP
  • US Capitol Police push back rioters trying to enter the US Capitol. AP
    US Capitol Police push back rioters trying to enter the US Capitol. AP
  • Police and rioters confront each other in the Rotunda of the Capitol. US Capitol Police via AP
    Police and rioters confront each other in the Rotunda of the Capitol. US Capitol Police via AP
  • Smoke fills the hallway outside the Senate chamber of the Capitol. AP
    Smoke fills the hallway outside the Senate chamber of the Capitol. AP
  • Insurrectionists loyal to Mr Trump breach the Capitol in Washington. AP
    Insurrectionists loyal to Mr Trump breach the Capitol in Washington. AP
  • Trump supporters, including Doug Jensen, centre, confront US Capitol Police in the hallway outside the Senate chamber at the Capitol. AP
    Trump supporters, including Doug Jensen, centre, confront US Capitol Police in the hallway outside the Senate chamber at the Capitol. AP
  • Newly installed razor wire tops the fence surrounding the US Capitol following the January 6 riot. Reuters
    Newly installed razor wire tops the fence surrounding the US Capitol following the January 6 riot. Reuters
  • Security agents and members of Congress barricade the door to the House chamber as the violent mob breaches the Capitol. AP
    Security agents and members of Congress barricade the door to the House chamber as the violent mob breaches the Capitol. AP
  • Rioter Jacob Chansley holds a sign referencing QAnon as supporters of Mr Trump gather to protest the early results of the 2020 presidential election. Reuters
    Rioter Jacob Chansley holds a sign referencing QAnon as supporters of Mr Trump gather to protest the early results of the 2020 presidential election. Reuters

Reuters contributed to this report

Updated: February 16, 2023, 9:12 PM