Former United States President Donald Trump is reportedly preparing to surrender by the end of next week in connection with the ongoing efforts to overturn the 2020 election results in Georgia, according to a senior law enforcement official cited by CNN. The anticipated surrender is expected to take place on August 24 or 25 at the Fulton County jail, in compliance with the deadline set by Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis for his surrender.
This development follows the indictment of Donald Trump and several allies on Monday in Georgia, where they are accused of scheming to unlawfully overturn the 2020 election results in the state. This marks the fourth criminal case against the former president, and the second case that alleges his attempts to subvert the election results. Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis initiated the investigation almost two years ago.
The timing of Trump’s expected surrender aligns with the first Republican presidential debate of the 2024 election cycle, which is scheduled for the same week. Reports suggest that Trump plans to skip the debate and instead engage in an online interview with former Fox News host Tucker Carlson. Trump’s decision to bypass the debate has been attributed to his lead among Republicans in national polls and his reluctance to give opponents a platform to criticize him.
Earlier in August, following his indictment, Trump proclaimed that he would produce an “irrefutable” report that could lead to the dismissal of all charges against him. He vehemently criticized the ruling, labeling it a “total shutdown of democracy.”
Donald Trump faces multiple criminal charges in addition to the Georgia case. He is charged in criminal cases in Manhattan, Miami, and Washington, DC, with a total of 91 counts. The potential prison sentences associated with these charges add up to 712 years and 6 months, as reported by the New York Post.
Eighteen alleged co-conspirators were also indicted alongside Trump in the Georgia case. This includes notable figures such as his lawyers Rudy Giuliani, Sidney Powell, and Jenna Ellis, former White House chief of staff Mark Meadows, and other individuals involved in his 2020 election efforts.
As the legal proceedings unfold, Donald Trump’s legal battles continue to garner attention, further shaping the political landscape as he navigates legal challenges alongside his presence in the Republican party.