KEY POINTS

  • The researchers cited an infamous January phone call between Raffensperger and Trump as evidence
  • The analysis also cited Trump urging other Georgia Republicans to decertify Biden's win
  • The think tank said Trump's criminal charges may also extend to some of his allies

Former President Donald Trump could be charged with multiple crimes over his previous attempts to overturn the election results in Georgia.

In an analysis conducted by Washington think tank Brookings Institution, researchers said Trump’s multiple attempts at undermining the U.S. election could force him to face several charges, including criminal solicitation to commit election fraud.

"We conclude that Trump's postelection conduct in Georgia leaves him at substantial risk of possible state charges predicated on multiple crimes," the report said.

"These charges potentially include criminal solicitation to commit election fraud; intentional interference with performance of election duties; conspiracy to commit election fraud; criminal solicitation; and state RICO violations."

The researchers also said that the criminal charges could extend to some of the former president’s key allies, such as ex-personal lawyer Rudy Giuliani, who allegedly urged state lawmakers in the Georgia Capitol to "take extraordinary action to reverse Biden's win."

They cited an audio excerpt of Trump’s infamous phone call with Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger as one of the key pieces of evidence that led them to their conclusion. In the January call, the former president pressured Raffensperger to find him "11,780 votes" to overturn the election results.

"We have won the election in Georgia based on all of this. And there’s nothing wrong with saying that, Brad," Trump said during the hour-long phone call. "I just want to find 11,780 votes, which is one more than we have. Because we won the state."

Trump also floated several conspiracy theories during the phone call, including claims that ballots in Fulton County were shredded. When Ryan Germany, Raffensperger’s legal counsel, dismissed Trump’s claims as untrue, the former president threatened the Georgia officials with criminal prosecution.

“You know what they did and you’re not reporting it. You know, that’s a criminal — that’s a criminal offense. And you know, you can’t let that happen. That’s a big risk to you and to Ryan, your lawyer. That’s a big risk,” he said.

The analysis also cited several attempts of Trump publicly pressuring other Georgia Republicans to help him overturn the election results. His attempts included placing direct calls to Gov. Brian Kemp, R-GA, and Attorney General Chris Carr and urging them to join him in decertifying his loss.

Trump has yet to react to the new research analysis.

Gevers managed to access Trump's Twitter account twice, once using the password 'yourefired' and then the password 'maga2020!'
Gevers managed to access Trump's Twitter account twice, once using the password 'yourefired' and then the password 'maga2020!' AFP / Andy JACOBSOHN