Gov. Brian Kemp’s (R-GA) attempt to avoid providing testimony before a special grand jury that is probing possible illegal efforts to influence the 2020 election has been rejected by a Fulton County Superior Court judge. | Gov. Brian Kemp/Twitter
Gov. Brian Kemp’s (R-GA) attempt to avoid providing testimony before a special grand jury that is probing possible illegal efforts to influence the 2020 election has been rejected by a Fulton County Superior Court judge. | Gov. Brian Kemp/Twitter
Gov. Brian Kemp’s (R-GA) attempt to avoid providing testimony before a special grand jury that is probing possible illegal efforts to influence the 2020 election has been rejected by a Fulton County Superior Court judge.
According to FOX 5 Atlanta, Superior Court Judge Robert McBurney, who is overseeing the special grand jury, said that while Kemp will still be required to honor the subpoena, a time frame could be provided to avoid influencing the upcoming general election in November.
"Your Honor is well aware of where we are, what state we’re in, what race we’re facing, and the governor ought not have to suffer political consequences for invoking a legal right," Kemp’s attorney Brian McEvoy said.
Throughout the proceedings, attorneys for the governor argued that he is protected from testifying by the principle of sovereign immunity, which says the state can’t be sued without its consent, FOX 5 reports.
The probe—overseen by Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis—was sparked by a January 2021 phone call between former President Donald Trump and Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger during which Trump suggested the state’s top election official could "find" the votes needed to reverse his loss.
Kemp is set to face off against Democrat challenger Stacey Abrams in a fight for reelection in November.
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