Donald Trump, the former President of the United States, is expected to surrender to authorities in Georgia on charges related to alleged attempts to overturn the 2020 state election results. Trump’s surrender, arriving amidst an abrupt reshuffle of his legal team, follows his leading rivals’ presidential debate for the 2024 Republican nomination that took place the night before in Milwaukee.
The Fulton County prosecution marks the fourth criminal case against Trump since March, making him the first former U.S. president to be indicted. Subsequently, he has faced federal charges in Florida and Washington. Earlier this month, he was indicted in Atlanta, along with 18 others, including ex-chief of staff Mark Meadows and former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani. The charges fall under a racketeering statute typically associated with gang members and organized crime.
The criminal cases have led to a series of bookings and arraignments, with Trump making brief court appearances before returning to the campaign trail for the 2024 election. His campaign has used these appearances to solicit fundraising contributions from his supporters, framing the charges as a politically motivated attempt to damage his re-election chances.
Trump is expected to surrender at a troubled Fulton County jail. However, he is not anticipated to spend much time there, given his attorneys and prosecutors have already agreed to a $200,000 bond.
His surrender in Atlanta will be distinct from previous ones, requiring him to surrender at a problematic jail but without an accompanying court appearance for now. Fulton County officials expect to take a booking photo, as they would for any other defendant.
Despite the charges against him, Trump maintains his innocence, with his new lead attorney for the Georgia case, Steve Sadow, expressing the same sentiment. Trump’s surrender highlights the ongoing legal repercussions that continue to shape the former president’s political future.