Trump to be Investigated by New Special Grand Jury; It Can Subpoena Witnesses About Secret Jan 6th Meetings
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A New Special Grand Jury To Investigate Trump
WASHINGTON, D.C. (January 20, 2022) - Former president Donald Trump in going to be investigated by a new special grand jury - one which can finally issue subpoena to force him and other witnesses to testify under oath, and to disclose previously secret documents - says public interest law professor John Banzhaf, whose formal complaint triggered the Georgia criminal investigation.
While the initial subpoenas are likely to go to Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger and other witnesses in Georgia, the special grand jury may now also want to question Melania Trump’s chief of staff, Stephanie Grisham, under oath about secret meetings in the White House residence just days before January 6th, which she has just disclosed to House investigators.
Fulton County prosecutor Fani Willis has asked Judge Christopher Brasher to impanel the new judicial body, confirming that her office “has received information indicating a reasonable probability that the State of Georgia's administration of elections in 2020, including the State's election of the President of the United States, was subject to possible criminal disruptions,” and that Raffensperger "has indicated that he will not participate in an interview or otherwise offer evidence until he is presented with a subpoena by my office."
Such requests are almost always granted, says Banzhaf, noting that special grand juries can focus on only one case rather than many; a great advantage in a complicated case such as this one. They can also last longer.
A Potentially Perilous Investigation
As the New York Times reported, this investigation "is seen by legal experts as potentially perilous for the former president."
One reason is that it is largely free from possible pressure or other interference from people within the federal government; including President Biden who may not want to be suspected of orchestrating a criminal prosecution of his predecessor and potential 2024 rival, or Trump allies in Congress and elsewhere in the government.
Willis, a Democrat, was elected by residents in an overwhelming Democratic district, and they will therefore probably make up a majority of the members of the new special grand jury, as well as any jury subsequently impaneled to try criminal charges against Trump.
Another reason why this investigation with a new special grand jury is such a serious threat to Trump, suggests the law professor, is that Willis is planning to include a powerful and far reaching RICO charge in any indictment which may be issued, says Banzhaf.
