Jury Selection Begins in Georgia Case Accusing Trump and Others of Election Scheme

Jury selection is set to begin for the first defendant in the Georgia case accusing Trump and others of illegally scheming to overturn the 2020 election. Lawyer Kenneth Chesebro was indicted along with Trump and 17 others, two others have already pleaded guilty to reduced charges. If Chesebro doesn't take a plea deal, the trial will provide a first extensive look at the evidence against him and the other defendants.

The former president will be a central figure in the trial, even though he's not expected to be there. The defense and prosecution will try to gauge potential jurors' feelings about Trump, political leanings, and opinions about election fraud claims.

Chesebro was initially set to go on trial alongside Sidney Powell, but Powell agreed to a deal with prosecutors and pleaded guilty to six misdemeanor counts. Chesebro and the other defendants are accused of violating Georgia's RICO Act by participating in a scheme to keep Trump in power despite his election loss.

Chesebro is specifically accused of working on a plan to have Georgia Republicans falsely declare that Trump won and declare themselves as electors. He wrote memos outlining the plan and provided instructions for Trump elector nominees in swing states to cast votes for Trump. Chesebro's email before the meetings stated the purpose of having the meetings was to "provide evidence that the state legislatures were not the only ones who believed that the election results were suspect." He also drafted legal memos and emails outlining strategies to disrupt and delay the joint session of Congress on Jan. 6, 2021.

Chesebro faces a racketeering charge and six felony conspiracy counts related to the elector plan. His lawyers argue that his actions were justified under Georgia and federal law, but the judge rejected their arguments to prevent prosecutors from using his memos and emails at trial.

In total, 450 prospective jurors will fill out an extensive questionnaire formulated by prosecutors, defense attorneys, and the judge. They will be called in groups of 14 for individual questioning. Another 450 people will be brought in on Oct. 27 to fill out questionnaires. The judge aims to have the jury seated and sworn in by Nov. 3. Prosecutors estimate the trial will take four months and call over 150 witnesses. The judge will inform prospective jurors that the trial is likely to take up to five months.

In a separate case, federal prosecutors urged a judge to reject Donald Trump's efforts to dismiss the case charging him with plotting to overturn the 2020 presidential election. Lawyers for Trump argued that he was immune from prosecution for actions taken while fulfilling his duties as president. Special counsel Jack Smith's team responded that there is nothing in the Constitution or court precedent to support the idea that a former president cannot be prosecuted for criminal conduct committed while in office. Prosecutors emphasized that Trump is subject to federal criminal laws like any other American. The decision on whether to dismiss the case now rests with U.S. District Judge Tanya Chutkan. Chutkan's decision is not likely to be final, as defense lawyers can appeal to a federal appeals court or the Supreme Court.

Trump is facing four criminal prosecutions, with one case set for trial on March 4, 2024. A limited gag order has been imposed on Trump, preventing him from making incendiary comments targeting prosecutors and potential witnesses. He is charged with illegally h***ding classified documents in Florida, accused of conspiring to undo his election loss in Fulton County, Georgia, and awaiting trial in New York on state charges of falsifying business records to cover up hush money payments to a p*** actor.

These legal battles raise important questions about the extent of a former president's immunity from criminal prosecution and the accountability of individuals for their actions in relation to the election process.

Republican Bias:

Here we go again, folks, with the left's relentless witch hunt against our great former president. This whole Georgia case is nothing but a desperate attempt by liberals to tarnish the reputation of Donald Trump and his allies. They're accusing Kenneth Chesebro, a lawyer with integrity who was simply trying to ensure election integrity, of some absurd scheme to keep Trump in power. This is nothing but a blatant smear campaign by the left who can't accept their own election irregularities. They're even dragging Sidney Powell into this, a woman who has been tirelessly fighting for the truth. It's clear that the left will stop at nothing to discredit those who dare question their dubious election results. This trial is a complete farce, an abuse of the justice system to further their political agenda. And now they're trying to dismiss Trump's rightful immunity as a former president. It's a travesty, a clear display of the left's unending bias and their disregard for the rule of law.

Liberal Bias:

Once again, we see the staggering lengths to which Trump and his cronies will go to undermine our democracy. This trial in Georgia is a stark revelation of the illegal schemes they orchestrated to overturn the 2020 election. Kenneth Chesebro, an accomplice in this dangerous power grab, is facing serious charges. He and others, including Sidney Powell, allegedly violated Georgia's RICO Act in their attempt to keep Trump in power despite his clear loss. The audacity to even suggest that Trump is immune from prosecution for his actions while in office is baffling. This is not a monarchy; no one is above the law, not even a former president. The ongoing legal battles underscore the urgency of holding individuals accountable for their actions in relation to the election process. It's high time we put an end to such flagrant disregard for our democratic norms and hold these individuals accountable.