Trump and Associates Face Booking at Notorious Atlanta Jail
In an unexpected turn of events, former President Donald Trump and 19 co-defendants are set to be booked at Atlanta’s infamous Rice Street Jail in Fulton County. This move comes as part of their legal battle, which includes a racketeering case against Trump and his associates.
The Fulton County Sheriff has made it clear that Trump’s high-profile status won’t exempt him or his associates from standard booking procedures. This process includes medical checks, fingerprinting, mugshots, and the possibility of spending time in a holding cell. All of this follows the Justice Department’s investigation into the jail’s reported “unsafe and unsanitary conditions.”
Media access near the jail has been limited as preparations for booking are underway. Fani T. Willis, the Fulton County District Attorney, has set an August 25th deadline for booking all 19 individuals involved in the case. This follows a lengthy two-and-a-half-year investigation into election interference by Trump and his allies, culminating in a substantial racketeering indictment.
NEW — Here we have it. Rudy Giuliani’s official mugshot. Remember that this man was once considered “America’s Mayor” & now this is what he will be remembered for: a criminal who aided Donald Trump’s effort to overturn an election. This is justice & accountability. pic.twitter.com/dm78qNHqnu
— Victor Shi (@Victorshi2020) August 23, 2023
The Sheriff’s Office has announced that, based on guidance from the district attorney’s office and the presiding judge, all 19 defendants will be processed at the Fulton County Jail, officially known as the Rice Street Jail. However, whether Trump himself follows this procedure will depend on the Secret Service, given his former presidential status.
Trump’s surrender earlier this year in Manhattan, facing an unrelated indictment, raised questions about whether he would undergo standard booking procedures. The Fulton County Sheriff’s Office has yet to provide specific details about the process for Trump’s co-defendants, leaving uncertainty about whether they will receive any special treatment.
"The sheriff [in Fulton county] mentioned he wants to treat Trump and the other defendants like everybody else. That might be harder in a place like the Rice Street jail in Atlanta." @TamarHallerman shares her thoughts on the expectations when Trump surrenders #KatiePhangShow pic.twitter.com/oRNfZtkJGI
— The Katie Phang Show (@katiephangshow) August 20, 2023
Following booking, the defendants will face arraignment in court to hear charges and enter pleas. The trial, scheduled for March 4th of the following year, promises to be a noteworthy event, with some proceedings potentially held virtually.
This legal saga is being closely watched, highlighting that in America, the law applies equally to everyone, regardless of their status. As Trump and his associates undergo the booking process at Rice Street, it serves as a reminder that no one is above the law.
