Judge won't let Graham delay testimony in election probe

A federal judge said Friday that Lindsey Graham can't put off his appearance before a grand jury looking into whether Donald Trump and others tried to influence the 2020 election in Georgia.

Graham was ordered to honor his subpoena by the district judge. May was asked to stay her ruling by Graham's attorneys, who appealed the order to the 11th US Circuit Court of Appeals. On Friday, May declined that request.

On Tuesday, Graham is scheduled to speak. He has a motion pending before the 11th Circuit.

The representatives for Graham didn't reply to messages on Friday.

In July of last year, the Fulton County District Attorney filed petitions to compel testimony from seven people, including Graham.

A provision of the U.S. Constitution protects a senator from being questioned about legislative acts, according to attorneys for the South Carolina Republican. There are areas of potential grand jury inquiry that are outside the scope of the provision. The principle of "sovereign immunity" was rejected by the judge.

Graham argued that there were not extraordinary circumstances needed to compel testimony from a high ranking official. The judge found that Graham needed to testify on issues related to an alleged attempt to influence or disrupt the election in Georgia.

After the 2020 general election, Graham made two phone calls to the Georgia Secretary of State's office. During those calls, Graham inquired about the possibility of a more favorable outcome for Donald Trump, according to the petition.

She wrote that Graham made reference to allegations of widespread voter fraud in the November 2020 election in Georgia, consistent with public statements made by known affiliates of the Trump campaign.

There was no evidence of voter fraud that could have changed the outcome of the election.

That's right.

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