Trump ally Graham is asking the Supreme Court to stop Georgia grand jury hearings

Oct 21 (Reuters) – U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham on Friday asked the Supreme Court to stop an order from a lower court that forced him to testify before a special Georgia grand jury investigating whether the then-president Donald Trump and his allies have tried to overturn the 2020 election results, according to the state.

Graham, a Republican from South Carolina, filed the summary motion after a federal appeals court on Thursday denied his request for testimony protection. The application would be reviewed by Judge Clarence Thomas, who handles emergency applications from Georgia.

Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis wants Graham to answer questions about phone calls he made with a senior Georgia election official in the weeks following the November 2020 election.

Graham has argued that his position as a US Senator gives him immunity from appearing before the grand jury.

The appeals court said Thursday Graham was required to testify before the grand jury but could challenge individual questions.

The testimony of Graham, a Trump ally, could shed further light on Trump allies coordinating to reverse the findings. Trump continues to appear at rallies and reiterate his false allegations of cheating on his election loss to Democrat Joe Biden.

Reporting by Ismail Shakil in Ottawa; Editing by Grant McCool

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