Donald Trump (screen capture)The forewoman for the special grand jury that investigated election interference by Donald Trump and his crew in Georgia confirmed in an interview today that their report recommended indictments for multiple people on a range of charges.
UPDATE: Throughout the day, it’s become clear the forewoman, Emily Kohrs, has given numerous interviews about her experience as part of the grand jury.
Her press appearances strike me as a bit unusual. While she hasn’t revealed specific information the judge overseeing the grand jury made a point of keeping sealed, she has communicated opinions about some witnesses being “funny” or not very forthcoming.
It seems to me that these interviews could jeopardize possible indictments arising from the grand jury.
One example: Asked by the Atlanta Journal-Constitution about Trump’s claim that the sealed jury report ‘totally exonerated’ him, Kohrs reportedly burst out laughing and asked: “Did he really say that? Oh, that’s fantastic. That’s phenomenal. I love it.”
Breaking News: The Georgia jury investigating interference by Donald Trump and others in the 2020 election recommended multiple indictments, its forewoman said. https://t.co/ywOEfiF1qZ
— The New York Times (@nytimes) February 21, 2023
From the New York Times:
“It is not a short list,” the forewoman, Emily Kohrs, said, adding that the jury had appended eight pages of legal code “that we cited at various points in the report.”
She declined to discuss who specifically the special grand jury recommended for indictment, since the judge handling the case decided to keep those details secret when he made public a few sections of the report last week.
But seven sections that are still under wraps deal with indictment recommendations, Ms. Kohrs said.
Asked whether the jurors had recommended indicting Mr. Trump, Ms. Kohrs gave a cryptic answer: “You’re not going to be shocked. It’s not rocket science,” adding “you won’t be too surprised.”
Kohrs specifically mentioned the Donald’s phone call to Brad Raffensperger, the Georgia secretary of state, in which he pressed Mr. Raffensperger, a fellow Republican, to recalculate the results and “find” 11,780 votes. The forewoman cited that as a starting point.
Kohrs went on to add: “You probably have a fair idea of what may be in there. I’m trying very hard to say that delicately.”
Grand juries can’t charge individuals with crimes, though. Ultimately, those decisions will be up to Fulton County District Attorney Fani T. Willis, who has led the investigation.
Related: Grand Jury Recommended Perjury Indictments
Read the full report here.
What was it like to be on the special grand jury that investigated whether former President Donald Trump and others illegally meddled in the 2020 election in Georgia?
Emily Kohrs, the foreperson on the jury, describes what happened behind closed doors. https://t.co/0lSG4qymHt
— The Associated Press (@AP) February 21, 2023