Former President Donald Trump arrived in Georgia around 7 p.m. to surrender himself to law enforcement at Fulton County Jail.
Trump, who was booked shortly after his arrival, has been accused of illegally trying to subvert Georgia's 2020 election results. Trump and the other defendants in the case were ordered to surrender by noon on Aug. 25.
Supporters and critics of Trump gathered outside the jail in preparation for Trump’s arrival.
Some anti-Trump demonstrators wore rat costumes while others dressed like prisoners.
According to journalist and political commentator Laura Loomer, the Fulton County Sherrif’s office ”placed barricades” at the site of a planned pro-Trump rally seeming to prevent supporters from gathering at the jail.
“[Fulton County] Sheriff’s officers are violating the First Amendment right of Trump supporters and the media who showed up to the Fulton County Jail today ahead of President Trump’s arrest,” she wrote in a post on X. “The barricades were not used yesterday. This is an effort by Fanni Willis [sic] to suppress free speech and to stop the rally from taking place outside of the Fulton County Jail.”
“The actions seen in this video are yet another attack on our civil liberties and the US Constitution,” Loomer said.
Trump and 18 other defendants were indicted in Fulton County on Aug. 14 after an investigation that lasted two and a half years. Two weeks earlier, Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis said “the work is accomplished” – alluding to the impending legal action.
Willis’ office contends Trump and his associates comprise a criminal enterprise that worked to keep the Republican in office after the 2020 election.
The charges against 2024 Republican presidential frontrunner include allegations that he violated the Georgia Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations (RICO) Act, conspired to impersonate a public officer, conspired to commit forgery in the first degree and conspired to commit false statements and writings. A document listing the charges was briefly uploaded to Fulton County’s website before being removed.
Trump has been indicted on three other occasions in 2023.
House Judiciary Committee Chairman Jim Jordan announced on Aug. 24 that he will lead an inquiry into Willis to determine if she coordinated with federal officials.
“Your indictment and prosecution implicate substantial federal interest, and the circumstances surrounding your actions raise serious concerns about whether they are politically motivated,” wrote Jordan in a letter to Willis. “Turning first to the question of motivation, it is noteworthy that just four days before this indictment, you launched a new campaign fundraising website that highlighted your investigation into President Trump. Additionally, the forewoman of the special grand jury you convened to investigate President Trump earlier this year bragged during an unusual media tour about her excitement at the prospect of subpoenaing President Trump and getting to swear him in.”
“When states rely on acts like these—apparently taken in connection with official duties—to criminally prosecute federal officers, it raises serious concerns under the Supremacy Clause of the Constitution and poses a threat to the operations of the federal government,” Jordan added. “The threat of future state prosecution for official acts may dissuade federal officers from effectively performing their official duties and responsibilities.”
Willis has scheduled Trump’s trial to begin on Oct. 23, following Kenneth Chesebro’s request for a speedy trial. Chesebro, Ray Stallings Amith and Michael Roman were all indicted for allegedly assisting with “fake electors.”
Several of Trump’s co-defendants surrendered to authorities and their mugshots were heavily circulated online.
David Shafer, the former chairman of Georgia’s Republican Party, made his mugshot his profile photo on X. Attorney Jenna Ellis followed suit.
