Former President Donald Trump, lawyer Rudy Giuliani, and others, including ex-White House Chief of Staff Mark Meadows, were indicted on 41 felony charges related to attempts to overturn Georgia's 2020 election results. The indictment also names lawyers John Eastman, Sidney Powell, Kenneth Chesebro, Jenna Ellis, and Ray Smith. They face allegations of violating Georgia's RICO act.
Charges against Trump include felony racketeering and conspiracy. Racketeering could lead to 5-20 years in prison, while conspiracy carries a minimum 1-year sentence.
The indictment claims they conspired to unlawfully change election outcomes in favor of Trump. While Trump and Giuliani deny wrongdoing, the legal response from others is pending.
Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis issued arrest warrants, giving defendants until August 25 to surrender. The trial of all 19 defendants will be consolidated.
A grand jury focused on election interference evidence returned the indictment, following a two-year investigation.
Key incident: Trump's Jan 2, 2021 call to Georgia's top elections official, urging vote manipulation.
Indictment spotlights "fake electors" falsely claiming Trump's victory in Georgia, alongside unindicted co-conspirators.
Legal actions coincide with Trump's lead in the 2024 GOP presidential polls.
[Information from NBC News]
