'A Criminal Enterprise'
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This Week in Democracy
All 19 defendants are expected to be arraigned in Georgia by Aug. 25. “All elections in our nation are administered by the states,” Fulton County District Attorney?Fani Willis?told reporters.?“The state’s role in this process is essential to the functioning of our democracy.”
'A Criminal Enterprise'
The?latest indictment of Donald Trump?tells a clear story: Georgia voters made their decision in a fair election in 2020. And then Trump, working with accomplices both inside and outside the state of Georgia, tried to take that power away from the voters.
Roughly 5 million people voted in that election. The results were certified and?confirmed by recounts. Nevertheless, according to the indictment, “a criminal enterprise” involving just a few dozen people tried to impose a different outcome.
At its heart, it was an attack on the people of Georgia—their freedom to decide elections for themselves. It broke 16 separate Georgia laws, prosecutors say.?And now the people of Georgia are pursuing accountability.
Between the?special grand jury that investigated the case?and the regular grand jury that issued the indictment, more than 40 everyday Georgians, from all walks of life, examined testimony and heard evidence before the defendants were charged.
The charges are an important reminder: Zero tolerance for attacks on our democracy means pushing for?accountability at every level—not just federal, but also state and local. The same principle is driving?Michigan’s prosecution of 16 fake electors.
Those who do the hard work of accountability often do it at?considerable risk?to themselves. They are professionals with deep legal expertise, and they do this work because it’s indispensable to our democracy.
States United?is rolling out resources: We have a?backgrounder on the Georgia indictment?and a?chart breaking down the defendants and charges. You can also read more on?the special grand jury’s investigation?and on?all four criminal cases against Trump.
In The News
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“In each of the seven states, Mr Trump and his associates were allegedly trying to take away the voices of voters —their freedom to decide elections for themselves. State and local prosecutors are defending that most fundamental freedom. By bringing charges, they are sending a message: don’t try this in our state ever again.”
“States United Democracy Center?is a national advocacy group co-founded by former New Jersey?Gov.?Christine Todd Whitman?which focuses on protecting free and fair elections, preventing political violence, promoting truth in elections, and pursuing accountability.?Joanna Lydgate, the organization’s CEO, explained some of the nuances of the case.”?
“‘Trump would have to show that the allegations in this case, including phone calls he made to various Georgia officials to attempt to convince them to overturn the election results, were properly within his role as president,’ said?Mai Ratakonda, an attorney at the election rights group?States United Democracy Center.”
Recommended Reading
States United co-founder and executive chair?Norm Eisen?and former Georgia federal prosecutor and criminal defense attorney?Amy Lee Copeland?explain?in The New York Times?what makes the latest indictment of the former president unique.
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