A criminal investigation in Georgia is investigating former President Trump’s alleged attempt to overturn state election results, and last week, two grand juries met in Fulton County, giving prosecutors the opportunity to issue subpoenas for documents and witnesses. . Atlanta Journal-Constitution correspondent in Washington, Aunt Mitchell, joins CBSN’s “Red & Blue” anchor Elaine Quijano to talk more about the next steps in the investigation.
Video transcription
– A criminal investigation into former President Trump is entering a new phase in Georgia. The case centers on Trump’s alleged attempts to overturn the state’s election results. Last week, two grand juries met in Fulton County, which covers a significant part of Atlanta.
It is the first time that prosecutors have issued subpoenas for documents and witnesses. District Attorney Fanny Willis is investigating whether Trump violated state electoral laws during a phone call in January with Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger. Here is part of that conversation.
DONALD TRUMP: I just want to find 11,780 votes, which is one more than us.
– Mr. Trump lost Georgia to President Biden now by about 12,000 votes. Willis received letters last month to Georgia officials, including Secretary Raffensperger and Republican Governor Brian Kemp, asking them to preserve any documents that may be relevant to the case. These materials are expected to be the next focus of the investigation.
To find out more, let’s bring in the Atlanta Journal Constitution correspondent in Washington, Aunt Mitchell. Hi, aunt. Nice to see you again. So, what happens at this stage of the investigation?
TIA MITCHELL: Well, this is really the investigation phase. As you mentioned, the grand jury was consulted and we think it is about issuing additional subpoenas while prosecutors try to build their case. We also know that a specialist in Rico’s laws, which are the extortion and corruption laws in Georgia, has been hired to work for the DA.
His name is John Floyd, and he is not just coming for this case. But this case may be one of those added to your list. Because Georgia has used its state Rico laws in the past to make conspiracy charges against elected officials or government officials.
– Well, that investigation was prompted by that January phone call in which the ex-president asked Secretary Raffensperger to “find more votes for him.” What else is the prosecutor investigating?
TIA MITCHELL: Well, from what we have reported, she is investigating the possibility that there may be evidence that elected officials or public officials have violated her oath. She is examining charges to see if there has been electoral fraud. Again, she is looking to see whether or not there was a conspiracy or other evidence that Trump and his supporters were working together to try to influence the outcome of the election.
– Well, shortly after that call, US Attorney for the Northern Georgia District, Byung J. Pak, resigned. Do we know anything more about why?
TIA MITCHELL: We don’t know much about it, and it has been speculated that it may also be part of the DA Willis investigation. He suddenly resigned. Now, again, he is nominated by Trump, and most federal prosecutors hope to be replaced when a new president takes office, especially when that president is from a different party.
But his resignation was very sudden. It was before Joe Biden opened and there are a lot of questions about it. This can be investigated by the public prosecutor.
– Well, Auntie, why do some legal experts think that former President Rudy Giuliani’s personal lawyer is also potentially at risk?
TIA MITCHELL: Yes, so Rudy Giuliani came and testified before a Georgia Senate committee. And during that testimony, he sold a lot of misinformation, misinformation and overtly things that were not true and were not factual. And he shared it, again, at this public hearing as evidence of why he believed Joe Biden had not won the general election in Georgia. Then again, as he made these statements at a government meeting at a public hearing, people are wondering if he possibly broke the law.
– Okay, well, before I let you go, Tia, a big electoral bill passed the Georgia Senate on Monday. What can you tell us about it?
TIA MITCHELL: Yes, this bill passed in the Senate of Georgia would end the absent vote without excuse, restrict people who wanted to vote by mail. You would have to be elderly, live abroad, or have a health problem that the state determines will give you an excuse to vote by mail. It simply won’t be open to anyone anymore and is among the many changes that Republicans are pushing for after their defeats in Georgia.
The bill would also require additional identification for those wishing to vote by mail. It is different from what Georgia House approved. But again, now, no excuse for missing a vote is something that was passed in one of the chambers at the Georgia General Assembly and could become law this year.
– Okay, although, as we noted in the past, there is no evidence of widespread election fraud. Okay, Aunt Mitchell, for us. Aunt, always good to see you. Thank you very much.
TIA MITCHELL: Thanks.