On Friday, a judge is anticipated to unveil the complete report compiled by a special grand jury, which played a pivotal role in aiding an investigation by the Georgia prosecutor, ultimately leading to the indictment of former President Donald Trump and 18 others.
The special grand jury dedicated seven months to hearing testimonies from approximately 75 witnesses before finalizing their report in December. This report contained recommendations for Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis concerning charges related to efforts to overturn the 2020 presidential election. Willis had emphasized the panel’s subpoena power, essential for compelling the testimony of reluctant witnesses.
While much of the intrigue surrounding the case has diminished with the filing of charges, the special grand jury’s report promises to offer insight into the alignment of the indictment with the panel’s recommendations on who should be indicted. It will shed light on whether the panel envisioned the extensive conspiracy that prosecutors ultimately alleged.
In February, Fulton County Superior Court Judge Robert McBurney ordered the partial release of the report but refrained from immediately disclosing the panel’s recommendations on prosecutions. At that time, McBurney stated that he aimed to safeguard individuals’ due process rights. However, McBurney indicated in a new order filed on August 28 that due process concerns were no longer relevant, given that a regular grand jury had indicted Trump and 18 others under the state’s anti-racketeering law. All the defendants have pleaded not guilty.
McBurney had set a September 6 deadline for any objections to the release of specific parts of the report. According to the online court docket, no objections were registered. As a result, McBurney is expected to make the full report accessible to the public at 10 a.m. on Friday.
Several of those indicted, including former New York mayor and Trump attorney Rudy Giuliani and Trump White House chief of staff Mark Meadows, are known to have testified before the special grand jury. Trump himself was not called to appear before the panel.
The sections of the report that were previously released in February encompassed its introduction, conclusion, and a portion in which the grand jurors expressed concerns about potential instances of perjury and encouraged prosecutors to pursue perjury charges. The panel’s foreperson had stated in news interviews that numerous individuals had been recommended for indictment by the special grand jurors.
