Former President Donald Trump has initiated legal proceedings to have multiple criminal charges against him dismissed in connection with the Georgia 2020 election interference case.
These actions mark the beginning of Trump’s legal efforts to contest the charges brought against him at the state level.
The filings made on Monday signal Trump’s intention to adopt the legal arguments already presented by his co-defendants, including Rudy Giuliani, Kenneth Chesebro, and Ray Smith, in their respective court filings. Giuliani, in particular, filed his challenge last Friday, contending that his indictment by Fulton County Superior Court Judge Scott McAfee should be dismissed due to alleged “deficiencies” that render it invalid.
Chesebro, known for devising the “fake electors” scheme, filed a similar challenge last month, asserting that the indictment “fails to sufficiently set out the charge or any violation of the law.” Smith, an attorney who represented Trump’s 2020 campaign in Georgia, also lodged a comprehensive motion on Monday, highlighting numerous defects in the indictment and arguing that it did not meet the requirements of the racketeering statute.
It’s worth noting that such motions are a common occurrence at the outset of criminal cases, with a track record of limited success. However, Trump’s legal strategy appears to encompass not only seeking the dismissal of state charges but also exploring the possibility of moving the case to federal court, where he may attempt to invoke protections available to federal officials.
The charges against Trump include a total of 13 counts, ranging from racketeering to conspiracy charges and soliciting a public official to violate their oath of office.
These charges stem from an extensive indictment filed by Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis last month, implicating Trump and 18 co-defendants for their alleged roles in attempting to overturn Georgia’s 2020 election results. Notably, all 19 defendants, including Trump, Giuliani, Chesebro, and Smith, have entered pleas of not guilty in response to the charges.
