COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) — U.S. Sen. Lindsey Graham on Friday requested the U.S. Supreme Court docket to intervene after a decrease courtroom ordered him to testify earlier than a particular grand jury in Georgia investigating whether or not then-President Donald Trump and others illegally tried to affect the 2020 election within the state.
In a submitting with the courtroom, attorneys for the South Carolina Republican sought to halt Graham’s doable testimony whereas he continues to attraction the requirement to look earlier than the Fulton County particular grand jury.
The submitting was directed to Justice Clarence Thomas, who handles emergency appeals from Georgia. Thomas can act on his personal or refer the matter to the total courtroom.
A 3-judge panel of the eleventh U.S. Circuit Court docket of Appeals had dominated Thursday in favor of Fulton County District Lawyer Fani Willis, who needs to query Graham about telephone calls he made to Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger within the weeks after the election.
Raffensperger stated Graham requested whether or not he had the facility to reject sure absentee ballots, one thing Raffensperger took as a suggestion to toss out legally forged votes. Graham has dismissed that interpretation as “ridiculous.”
Graham had challenged his subpoena, saying his place as a U.S. senator protected him from having to testify within the state investigation. He has additionally denied wrongdoing. The judges on Thursday stated Graham “has did not reveal that this method will violate his rights beneath the Speech and Debate Clause.”
Now, Graham needs the Supreme Court docket to halt his potential look whereas he challenges the requirement that he give testimony.
Meg Kinnard will be reached at http://twitter.com/MegKinnardAP
It is a growing story. Please test again for updates.