The judge limited the questions Graham could be asked by the grand jury investigating allegations of election interference in 2020.
A federal judge in the United States ordered Republican Senator Lindsey Graham to answer questions in a Georgia State Inquiry into former President Donald Trump’s attempt to overturn the outcome of the 2020 election, but limits the scope of what can be asked.
In a 23-page ruling on Thursday, U.S. District Judge Leigh Martin May rejected Graham’s argument that all of his calls with the Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger protected under the “speak or argue” clause of the United States Constitution, which protects members of Congress from questioning about official legislative acts.
However, she agreed with Graham’s attorneys that legislative protections apply to portions of the appeals specifically related to “Georgia’s existing election procedures and allegations of voter fraud.” in the process leading up to his certification vote” – sections she noted were “legislative fact- Findings”.
The judge ruled that the grand jury was free to question Graham on other topics, including “any alleged attempt” to encourage state election officials.”throw out the ballots“As well as any coordination that may have existed between Graham and the Trump campaign.
Graham’s office did not immediately comment on the ruling or say whether he plans to appeal. Despite Thursday’s decision, continuing to appeal in the case means the senator’s appearance will not happen.
But the judge’s decision pushed Graham – one of Trump’s top congressional allies and a key figure in the former president. post-election activities – one step closer to testifying before a special grand jury empowered by Fulton County Attorney Fani Willis this year.
Willis sought testimony from several other close Trump allies and advisers, including the former White House chief of staff. Mark MeadowsTrump allied lawyer Sidney Powell and conservative attorney L Lin Wood Jr, who said this week he was told Willis wanted him to appear.
On Wednesday, a judge ruled that Georgia Governor Brian Kemp must testify, agreeing to a Republican request to delay that appearance until after the midterm elections. November 8, Rudy Giuliania former Trump attorney, appeared before the grand jury in mid-August.
There may be previously rejected Graham tried to rescind the Fulton County subpoena, but the 11th U.S. Court of Appeals asked her to consider whether to partially grant his request based on constitutional protections of whether members are sitting in Parliament or not.
The Georgia investigation is one of several involving Trump, including the US Justice Department’s investigation into whether the former president violation by transporting classified government documents to his Florida estate.
