Trump says no documents were found at Mar-a-Lago, just “cool” empty folders marked as classified
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A Georgia judge on Tuesday heard arguments about the public release of a grand jury report following an eight-month investigation into Donald Trump’s alleged attempts to overturn the results of that state’s 2020 election.
During its investigation, the panel heard testimony and evidence about the abuse and harassment of poll workers, a falsified election manifesto, and Mr Trump’s infamous call to election officials to “find” enough votes for his victory.
The report of the Special Grand Jury, which may not prosecute, is likely to include a summary of its investigative work and recommendations for the alleged wrongdoing charges that prompted the inquiry and its conclusions.
Lawyers for the former president have claimed they were never involved in the investigation, while Fulton District Attorney Fani Willis argued to keep the report secret for now as her office appears ready to pursue criminal charges against those named in the report raise.
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Trump defends his ‘perfect’ Georgia phone call in a series of posts on Truth Social
In a series of Truth Social posts Tuesday, Trump continued to lie about the results of the 2020 presidential election and defended his “perfect” phone call to Georgia officials who wanted to “find” votes for his win in the state.
He made unsubstantiated allegations of “fraud” in the election and “stuffing” of ballots, which no courtroom or election official has confirmed.
His claims came as a Georgia judge heard arguments about the release of a grand jury report from an investigation likely targeting the former president and his allies, and charges from state prosecutors.
He followed up his statements claiming he had “done a great job as president” in an almost all-capitalized tirade that spanned two posts, and dubbed the federal police the “Gestapo” for stealing documents on his property confiscated in Mar-a-Lago, which he did not want to return. and for the prosecution of those who stormed the US Capitol on January 6th.
Alex WoodwartJanuary 24, 2023 6:58 p.m
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New Trump photo with gangster emerges a day after outrage over ex-mob boss photo op
A photo taken in the summer of 2022 shows a grinning Trump showing a thumbs-up gesture while posing with John Alite, a podcaster and motivational speaker who was once a hitman for the Gambino crime family.
Alite, who confirmed the photo’s authenticity in a telephone interview with The Independent, described himself as a political independent who supported Trump’s push for criminal justice reform.
The resurfaced photo follows the release of Trump posing with another convicted mobster, “Skinny Joey” Merlino, who ran the Philadelphia mob in the 1990s when Trump was a casino operator in nearby Atlantic City.
Alex WoodwartJanuary 24, 2023 6:45 p.m
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Georgia judge to ‘return’ as court hears disputes over public release of grand jury report
After hearing arguments from both sides about the possible public release of a grand jury report following his investigation into Trump’s attempts to overturn the state’s election results, Judge Robert McBurney said he would “return” while he makes a decision.
Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis argued to keep the document secret for now because her office appears poised to prosecute those named in the report, while an attorney for a coalition of media groups argued that the report is in the best interest should be released immediately to the public.
Alex WoodwartJanuary 24, 2023 6:42 p.m
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Just arrived: Trump withdraws second case against New York Attorney General
The former president has dropped a second lawsuit against New York Attorney General Letitia James.
Last week he withdrew his lawsuit and asked for federal intervention in the Attorney General’s sweeping fraud lawsuit against him. That case was pending before a federal judge who had fined Trump nearly $1 million for his pattern of “frivolous” and “vexing” litigation, his apparent strategy of delaying justice.
More on his previously dropped attorney:
Alex WoodwartJanuary 24, 2023 6:38 p.m
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Full Story: Fulton County Prosecutor Fani Willis is asking the judge to keep the grand jury’s report on Trump’s election plan secret for now
Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis has asked that a special grand jury report on efforts by Donald Trump and his allies to reverse his 2020 election loss to Joe Biden be kept under wraps as she still considers whether they should file criminal charges against the people involved, the schemes.
Alex WoodwartJanuary 24, 2023 6:15 p.m
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Lawyer for corporate media pleads for public report by grand jury
A lawyer representing a coalition of media groups seeking to release the grand jury report has called for it to be released “now” and “in its entirety.”
“It’s nothing unusual for them [district attorney] and for a prosecutor to release information as their case progresses,” he added, referring to Fulton County Prosecutor Fani Willis’ argument for keeping the report secret for the time being.
Alex WoodwartJanuary 24, 2023 6:02 p.m
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A decision on the grand jury report will not be released today. Members voted for publication. Why the prosecution wants to keep it private
Judge McBurney noted that a decision on the public release of a grand jury report on Trump’s actions to influence the outcome of the 2020 Georgia election will not be released today. However, members of the panel wanted it to be publicly released.
Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis said she does not yet want to release the report publicly because she suggested several people involved in the report would be defendants in her office’s upcoming prosecutions.
“Decisions are imminent,” she told the judge.
Her deputy, Donald Wakeford, argued that the report should be viewed as part of an ongoing criminal investigation.
Ms Willis also revealed that the jury had heard 75 witnesses in their eight-month investigation.
Alex WoodwartJanuary 24, 2023 5:47 p.m
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Proud Boy, who pleaded guilty to the January 6 crimes and testified against members and group leaders in a seditious conspiracy case
A former member of the far-right gang Proud Boys, who pleaded guilty to conspiracy and obstruction in 2021, is currently testifying in a trial against other members of the group, including leader Enrique Tarrio, who are being charged over their role in the seditious conspiracy to attack the US Capitol on January 6, 2021.
“We openly anticipated civil war at this point,” Matthew Greene said in court on Tuesday.
What you need to know about the case:
Alex WoodwartJanuary 24, 2023 5:45 p.m
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Breaking News: Secret Documents Reportedly Found at Mike Pence’s Indiana Home
A lawyer for Mike Pence has reportedly turned over a dozen classified records to the FBI after they were found at the former Vice President’s Indiana home.
Alex WoodwartJanuary 24, 2023 5:30 p.m
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Just arrived: The Fulton County prosecutor does not want the public release of the grand jury report
Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis said she did not want the grand jury’s special report released.
“In this case, the state understands the demand of the media and the interest of the world. But we must be careful to protect the rights of future defendants,” she said.
She suggested that there are “multiple” defendants based on grand jury evidence and that “decisions from her office are imminent.”
Alex WoodwartJanuary 24, 2023 5:12 p.m