Georgia grand jury granted to investigate whether Trump tried to tamper with 2020 election results

By Teaganne Finn and Charlie Gile -

WASHINGTON — Judicial authorities have authorized a Georgia prosecutor to form a special grand jury to proceed with the case she is investigating: alleged interference in the 2020 election by former President Donald Trump and his allies.

The grand jury requested by Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis will have the power to subpoena witnesses in an investigation that focuses on

in Georgia.

Christopher Brasher, chief judge of the Fulton County Superior Court, granted the request Monday, adding that it was "considered and approved by a majority" of the court's judges.

The special grand jury will begin May 2 and continue for a period not to exceed 12 months, according to Brasher's order.

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Willis, who is leading the investigation, made the request last week. A significant number of witnesses have refused to cooperate without a subpoena requiring their testimony, according to Willis.

The prosecutor also argued that a special grand jury was needed because it could serve for a longer term than the normal grand jury term and thus focus specifically on this investigation, which Willis says involves complex facts and circumstances.

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In presenting the request for the special grand jury, Willis cited an interview from our sister network NBC News with Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger, in which he stated that he would be happy to answer questions from the committee investigating the assault on the Capitol if They issued a summons.

Willis has declined to discuss the details of his investigation, but confirmed in an interview with The Associated Press this month that its scope includes a phone call between Trump and Raffensperger on Jan. 2, 2021.

As well as a phone call between Raffensperger and Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-SC, in November 2020;

the abrupt resignation of the federal prosecutor in Atlanta on January 4, 2021;

and comments during legislative committee hearings on the 2020 election.