Georgia prosecutor opens investigation into Trump’s call to ‘find’ ballots
February 10, 2021The district attorney of Georgia’s largest county is opening an investigation into former President Donald Trump over the January phone call in which the then-president pressured the Georgia secretary of state to “find” votes for him.
A letter from Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis to several top Georgia government officials asked them to preserve records related to the administration of the 2020 election “with particular care being given to set aside and preserve those that may be evidence of attempts to influence the actions of persons who were administering that election.”
The letter, which does not directly mention Trump by name, was first reported by The New York Times.
Willis’ letter indicates she plans on moving quickly. “The next Fulton County grand jury is due to convene in March, and this office will begin requesting grand jury subpoenas as necessary at that time,” she wrote, indicating that her office has no reason to believe “any Georgia official” is a target of the investigation.
In January, Trump placed a call to Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger insisting he had won the state. In the call, which was taped, Trump told Raffensperger, “I just want to find 11,780 votes,” and made a veiled reference to potential legal ramifications for the secretary of state and his staff.
In a statement at the time, Willis — a Democrat who was recently elected to her post — called the call “disturbing” and signaled she was considering an investigation.
“As district attorney, I will enforce the law without fear or favor. Anyone who commits a felony violation of Georgia law in my jurisdiction will be held accountable,“ she said in January.
On Monday, Raffensperger’s office opened up an administrative investigation into the call, but said any findings would be forward to the state’s attorney general for any further action.
Jason Miller, Trump's senior adviser, said in a statement on Monday that there was "nothing improper or untoward about a scheduled call between President Trump, Secretary Raffensperger and lawyers on both sides."
Trump’s call to Raffensperger is also mentioned in the article of impeachment against Trump, who is currently on trial before the Senate. The article mentions the call as evidence the former president tried to “subvert and obstruct the certification” of the election results.
Marc Caputo contributed to this report.
Source: https://www.politico.com/