Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis (D) said she believes the local sheriff is “doing something smart” by installing safety barriers before a charge decision in a case against former President Trump.
“Some people may not be happy with the decisions I’m making, and sometimes when people are unhappy, they behave in ways that could be harmful,” Willis told an 11Alive reporter in Sandy Springs, Georgia.
“I think the sheriff is doing something smart to make sure the courthouse stays safe,” she continued. “I am not willing to put any of the staff or constituents who come to the courthouse in danger.”
The heightened security measures come as Willis is expected to file a grand jury indictment as part of her investigation into Trump and his Republican allies who toppled the state’s 2020 election.
Willis’ investigation into whether Trump broke the law lasted more than two years. She focused heavily on a call Trump made to Georgian Foreign Minister Brad Raffensperger (right) in January 2021; During the call, Trump urged Raffensperger to “find” 11,780 votes to overturn President Biden’s victory in the 2020 election.
The investigation also looked into phone calls to other state officials, fake Republican voters, alleged attempts to pressure two poll workers, and unsubstantiated allegations of voter fraud.
Willis confirmed to 11Alive that she plans to announce fee decisions by September 1.
In a letter in May, Willis urged Georgia County judges to approve the trial and personal hearing schedule for the weeks of August 7 and 14, an indication of possible indictments. She previously said around 70 percent of her staff will be working remotely.
One of the two grand juries inaugurated in Atlanta earlier this month is expected to hear the case.
Trump has twice attempted to quash investigations in Georgia by filing petitions in state court and another court barring amendments from being filed earlier this month. He also submitted an application in March.
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An indictment in this case would be the third indictment against the former president this year. He faces 34 charges related to forging business records in New York and a total of 40 criminal charges for handling classified documents at his Mar-a-Lago home. In both cases he pleaded not guilty.
Trump said earlier this month he had been briefed that he is also a target of the Justice Department’s investigation into his efforts to remain in power after losing the 2020 election, an indication that indictment in that case may also be forthcoming could come.
The Associated Press contributed to this.
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