Former President Trump said on his social media platform that he’ll surrender and be processed at Fulton County jail on Thursday, on charges related to attempts to overturn the 2020 election in Georgia.
“Can you believe it? I’ll be going to Atlanta, Georgia, on Thursday to be ARRESTED by a Radical Left District Attorney, Fani Willis,” Trump wrote on his Truth Social site Monday evening.
He went on to call the investigation a ‘WITCH HUNT” in all caps, adding without substantiation, “This is in strict coordination with Crooked Joe Biden’s DOJ. It is all about ELECTION INTERFERENCE!”
A few hours before his social media post, Trump’s attorneys and Willis signed an agreement that set bond for the former President at $200,000.
According to the filing in Fulton County Superior Court, Trump has been ordered to submit to a detailed list of witness intimidation restrictions, including but not limited to “posts on social media or reposts of posts made by another individual on social media.”
Trump is among 19 co-defendants who were indicted by a grand jury related to attempts to overturn Georgia’s 2020 election.
All defendants, including Trump, are facing charges of violating of Georgia’s Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act (RICO). Trump is also facing among 13 criminal counts solicitation of violation of oath by public officer, conspiracy to commit impersonating a public officer, conspiracy to commit forgery in the first degree, conspiracy to commit false statements and writings, conspiracy to commit filing false documents, and conspiracy to commit forgery in the first degree.
Willis has given each of the co-defendants until Friday to “voluntarily surrender” or face an arrest warrant.
On Thursday, Trump is set to be booked at the Fulton County jail on Rice Street in Atlanta, which is reportedly known for having particularly poor conditions; the Department of Justice launched a civil rights investigation into the facility just last month.
While the terms of Trump’s surrender are reported to still be under negotiation, typically defendants booked at the jail are searched, undergo a medical screening, get fingerprinted and a mug shot.
It’s not yet clear whether Trump will undergo all of these actions. However, Fulton County Sheriff Patrick Labat has said he expects the former President to be treated just like any other detainee.
Trump is not expected to be held, especially since he negotiated that bond deal. Further, defendants booked in Fulton County typically have to appear before a magistrate judge within 72 hours, but attorneys have told CNN that it’s possible neither Trump nor his co-defendants will have initial court appearances if they—like Trump—negotiated their bond agreement ahead of time.
Willis has requested a March 4 trial date and plans to prosecute all 19 defendants at once, but so far at least one of Trump’s 18 co-defendants—former DOJ official Jeffrey Clark—has asked for a delay.
