Georgia cops scope out Trump proceedings in Miami ahead of Atlanta indictment decision
Deputies with the Fulton County Sheriff’s Office have reportedly traveled to New York and Miami to gather intelligence on security operations at court hearings attended by former president Donald Trump, in what is seen as the clearest indication yet that he will be charged in Georgia. The Atlanta-based outlet 11Alive News reported on Tuesday that this observation is in response to notice from Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis that there is an intent to announce charges in her office’s probe into Trump’s alleged efforts to overturn the 2020 election results in the Peach State.
“We’re being very proactive about our approach,” says Fulton County Sheriff Patrick Labat. “We’re doing a really good job of reading tomorrow’s newspaper today, understanding what safety and security looks like so we are prepared holistically.” The Sheriff’s Office has not provided any additional details on the security plan that they are putting into place in case of a possible third Trump indictment.
The purpose of the trips, according to Sheriff Labat, is to “learn and make sure we are equally prepared.” However, the Sheriff’s Office did not respond to The Post’s request for comment. Willis reportedly sent letters to local law enforcement agencies in April asking them to prepare for “significant public reaction” to an announcement that she revealed would occur between July 11 and Sept. 1.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs):
What is the Fulton County Sheriff’s Office doing in New York and Miami?
Deputies with the Fulton County Sheriff’s Office reportedly traveled to New York and Miami to gather intelligence on security operations at court hearings attended by former president Donald Trump. This is in response to notice from Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis that there is an intent to announce charges in her office’s probe into Trump’s alleged efforts to overturn the 2020 election results in Georgia.
Why is the Sheriff’s Office being proactive?
Sheriff Patrick Labat says that they are being very proactive about their approach and are doing a really good job of understanding what safety and security looks like for a possible third Trump indictment.
What are the charges against Donald Trump?
Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis launched her investigation into Trump and several of his allies more than two years ago triggered by the revelation of a phone call Trump made to Republican Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger on Jan. 2, 2021, urging him to “find 11,780 votes” — just enough to overtake Joe Biden and overturn Trump’s narrow loss in Georgia. The grand jury panel suggested multiple indictments, but the charging decisions were not yet disclosed. Trump has denied any wrongdoing and described the phone call as “perfect.”
Has Donald Trump faced any other charges?
In March, Trump became the first current or former US president in history to be hit with criminal charges when a Manhattan grand jury indicted him for allegedly falsifying business records related to hush money payments to porn star Stormy Daniels. Last week, Jack Smith charged Trump with 37 felony counts related to his alleged mishandling and concealment of classified White House documents in a federal case. Trump has also vehemently denied wrongdoing in both cases.
Ahead of Atlanta indictment decision, Georgia police monitor Trump proceedings in Miami.
Deputies from the Fulton County Sheriff’s Office have recently traveled to New York and Miami to gather intelligence on security operations at court hearings attended by former President Donald Trump. This move is seen as the clearest indicator yet that Trump will be charged in Georgia. According to 11Alive News, the Sheriff’s Office closely observed the 76-year-old former president’s two historic arraignments in response to a notice from Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis, indicating an intent to announce charges in her office’s probe into Trump’s alleged efforts to overturn the 2020 election results in the Peach State. Fulton County Sheriff Patrick Labat stated, “We’re doing a really good job of reading tomorrow’s newspaper today, understanding what safety and security looks like so we are prepared holistically.” The Sheriff’s Office did not provide additional details about security operations or procedures for a possible third Trump indictment.
Willis reportedly sent letters to local law enforcement agencies in April, asking them to prepare for “significant public reaction” to an announcement that would occur between July 11 and Sept. 1. “Please accept this correspondence as notice to allow you sufficient time to prepare the Sheriff’s Office and coordinate with local, state and federal agencies to ensure that our law enforcement community is ready to protect the public,” Willis wrote in her letter to Labat.
The investigation into Trump and several of his allies was launched by Willis more than two years ago, after the revelation of a phone call Trump made to Republican Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger, urging him to “find 11,780 votes” — just enough to overtake Joe Biden and overturn Trump’s narrow loss in Georgia. Among those questioned before a special grand jury were ex-Trump lawyer Rudy Giuliani, Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-SC) and Republican Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp. Willis, a Democrat, informed a judge in January that the special grand jury had wrapped up its investigation and charging decisions were “imminent.” The grand jury’s forewoman, Emily Kohrs, revealed in February that the panel recommended multiple indictments to Willis, but she stopped short of naming specific individuals the panel suggested be charged with crimes.
Trump, the 2024 Republican presidential primary front-runner, has repeatedly denied any wrongdoing in Georgia and described his phone call to Raffensperger as “perfect.” In March, Trump became the first current or former U.S. president in history to be hit with criminal charges when a Manhattan grand jury indicted him for allegedly falsifying business records related to hush money payments to porn star Stormy Daniels. Last week, special counsel Jack Smith charged Trump with 37 felony counts related to his alleged mishandling and concealment of classified White House documents. Trump has vehemently denied wrongdoing in both the Manhattan case and the federal case.