Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis has issued a subpoena to Republican National Committee Chair Ronna McDaniel in connection with the extensive Georgia racketeering (RICO) case against lawyers Kenneth Chesebro and Sidney Powell, who were known for their support of former President Donald Trump.
In a legal motion spanning five pages, the DA’s office has stressed the importance of McDaniel’s testimony, given her residence in Michigan, for Georgia’s case against Chesebro. Chesebro authored what was referred to as the “coup memos,” which provided legal advice on how Trump’s team could challenge the 2020 presidential election results within the boundaries of the Constitution.
A judge overseeing the case approved the subpoena request for McDaniel, compelling her to testify as a witness for the state. The court has also issued a similar order for far-right conspiracy theorist Alex Jones, who is required to appear and provide testimony during the upcoming trial scheduled to commence on October 23.
Chesebro is facing several charges, including violating Georgia’s RICO act, conspiracy to impersonate a public officer, conspiracy to commit forgery in the first degree, conspiracy to commit false statements and writing, and conspiracy to commit filing false documents.
The out-of-state subpoena request, filed in Fulton County Superior Court, asserts that McDaniel is a crucial witness for establishing Chesebro’s involvement. The DA’s office alleges that she played a significant role in the effort to have alternative or counterfeit electors cast Electoral College votes for the 45th president instead of Joe Biden in pivotal states.
Among the numerous individuals charged in the extensive 98-page, 41-count indictment are former President Trump himself and California attorney John Eastman. Eastman is alleged to have devised the false elector plan in a well-known “coup memo.” According to the DA’s office, McDaniel, Trump, and Eastman participated in a phone call in late December 2020 that is pertinent to the conspiracy.
The motion states, “John Eastman told Ronna McDaniel the importance of the RNC helping the campaign gather ‘contingent’ electors for the November 3, 2020 presidential election.” It further notes that McDaniel forwarded an email with a list of “Six Contested States,” including Georgia, and their electoral votes for Trump. Molly Michael, the Executive Assistant to the President, responded to McDaniel’s email, indicating that “It’s in front of him.”
Willis’s office contends that McDaniel’s testimony will provide evidence of Chesebro’s involvement in the conspiracy, specifically in communication between co-defendants Trump and Eastman regarding the plan to falsely present certain individuals as duly elected and qualified presidential electors.
Judge Scott McAfee of Fulton County Superior Court has ruled that McDaniel is a “necessary and material witness in this prosecution,” using similar language to describe Jones as well.
McAfee noted that on January 6, 2021, Alex Jones took part in the march on the United States Capitol alongside various groups, including the Proud Boys and Oath Keepers. Jones had publicly stated that the White House had informed him of his role in leading the march. He also referred to it as “the second American revolution.” Video evidence shows that Kenneth Chesebro marched alongside Alex Jones on that day.
Chesebro and Powell both face charges related to their distinct efforts to challenge the results of the 2020 election. Both have exercised their right to a speedy trial and will be tried separately from other high-profile pro-Trump defendants.
Powell is facing seven counts connected to her alleged involvement with SullivanStrickler LLC, her purported participation in an election fraud conspiracy related to tampering with voting machines in Coffee County, and her alleged violation of Georgia’s state RICO laws. Both Chesebro and Powell have pleaded not guilty to the charges.