Georgia grand jury report into Trump 2020 interference due Thursday

A Georgia judge on Monday ordered the partial release of a special grand jury report on the efforts of Donald Trump and his allies to overturn the 2020 election results in that state.

In his ruling, Fulton County Judge Robert McBurney noted that the special grand jury raised concerns 'that some witnesses may have lied under oath during their testimony.'

He said he would keep the jury's recommendations on who should be prosecuted a secret for now but will release the report's introduction, the conclusion and the part detailing the grand jury's concerns about witnesses lying under oath on Thursday.

Otherwise, few details were revealed about the two-year criminal investigation into whether Trump and his allies tried to interfere in the 2020 presidential election in the state. 

Joe Biden narrowly won Georgia - by less than 1% - and was the first Democrat to carry it since Bill Clinton. 

A Georgia judge ruled to release parts of a special grand jury report on the efforts of Donald Trump and his allies to overturn his 2020 election loss - above Trump at a Georgia election rally in November 2020

A group of news organizations had appealed to Judge McBurney to make the special grand jury report public. 

District Attorney Fani Willis fought the to keep the findings a secret as she weighs criminal charges in the case.

She argued the report should remain sealed in order to protect the rights of potential 'defendants' in the case, which suggested that charges may be filed based on the grand jury's findings. 

She told the judge that charging decisions in the case are 'imminent.' 

McBurney agreed the entire report should remained sealed but said parts should be open to the public because of 'compelling public interest.'

'While publication may not be convenient for the pacing of the district attorney's investigation, the compelling public interest in these proceedings and the unquestionable value and importance of transparency require their release,' he wrote. 

The special grand jury consisted of 23 jurors and three alternates picked from a pool of Atlanta residents.

They heard testimony from 75 witnesses, including Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp and Republican Senator Lindsey Graham of South Carolina. 

Their report is the culmination of the grand jury's seven months of work. 

Trump was not subpoenaed and did not testify to the grand jury.  But the report comes as he launches his 2024 presidential bid and as he faces multiple other probes. 

Fulton County Judge Robert McBurney (left) ordered the partial release of the report into District Attorney Fani Willis (right) investigation

 A special grand jury in Fulton County interviewed 75 witnesses over seven months

The special grand jury had broad investigative powers in its investigation - more so than a typical grand jury. It could issue subpoenas for witness testimony, phone, email and other records. 

But, if this special grand jury recommended any indictments, Willis would have to seek them from the other grand juries regularly empaneled in Fulton County. 

Among those Trump allies who could face charges in Willis' probe: Rudy Giuliani, who acted as Trump's personal lawyer; David Shafer, the head of the Georgia Republican Party; and the 16 Georgia Republicans who served as pro-Trump and alternative electors.

Trump has denied wrongdoing and accused Willis of targeting him for political gain. He's called the investigation a 'witch hunt.'

Willis launched her investigation after a recording was made public of a January 2021 phone call Trump made to Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger urging him 'find' some votes that would allow him to win the state.

She was also looking into Giuliani's claims of election fraud, threats made to Georgia election workers, and the fake elector scheme.

That scheme was the creation of an alternate slate of Republican electors who met in the Georgia Capitol to sign certificates that falsely claimed Trump won the state.

Attorneys for the 'fake electors argued' they were just acting to preserve Trump's rights amid lawsuits over the election in the state.

Multiple recounts showed Biden won Georgia. 

Willis is a long Fulton County prosecutor who was elected as district attorney in 2020. She is a Democrat.

Rudy Giuliani is one of the Trump allies that could face criminal charges

The Georgia probe is one of many civil and criminal investigations threatening Trump.

A special counsel is overseeing U.S. Justice Department investigations into Trump's possession of classified materials after leaving the White House and his attempts to overturn the 2020 election results.

Letitia James, the Democratic attorney general of New York, has sued Trump, his real estate business and his children, accusing them of lying to insurers and banks about the value of their assets.

And the Manhattan district attorney's office is pursuing its own criminal investigation into Trump's business practices.