Former US President Donald Trump has taken the unexpected step of announcing his intention to turn himself in on Thursday in Atlanta, Georgia. This decision is in connection with an ongoing legal case related to allegations that he sought to overturn the 2020 election results in the state.
Using his Truth Social platform, Trump communicated this revelation on Monday. He shared that he will be “going to Atlanta, Georgia, on Thursday to be ARRESTED.” Trump also characterized the indictment he is facing as a politically motivated move aimed at disrupting any potential re-election campaign in 2024.
The extensive indictment, unveiled last week, is spread across 98 pages and names Trump and 18 co-defendants. Collectively, they are charged with a total of 41 criminal counts. These charges primarily revolve around alleged efforts to reverse his defeat in the closely-watched 2020 election in Georgia.
One prominent individual within this case is John Eastman, Trump’s former personal attorney. As per a court filing on Monday, Eastman is set to surrender to Fulton County authorities on Wednesday. Earlier that day, he had reached a bail agreement of $100,000 with Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis.
This legal development in Georgia marks the fourth instance of Trump encountering legal indictments. Alongside the Georgia charges, he is slated to undergo a trial in New York state in March related to a payment made to a porn star. Additionally, a federal trial in May in Florida is centered on allegations of mishandling classified federal documents. The convergence of these legal battles underscores the complexity of the legal landscape surrounding the former president as he navigates his post-presidential phase.
Trump has consistently maintained, without substantiated evidence, that these indictments are a result of “witch hunts.” He has been actively criticizing Willis online, labeling her as “radical left” and “corrupt.”
Trump, currently the leading contender for the 2024 Republican presidential nomination, and his co-defendants received an ultimatum from Willis to either surrender or face arrest by Friday at noon ET (1600 GMT). The prosecution has proposed a trial commencement date of March 4, while Trump’s legal team has requested a trial to take place in 2026.
The scheduled surrender by Trump on Thursday coincides with the absence of the former president from the initial Republican primary presidential debate, which is slated to occur a day prior.
