Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) must testify before a special grand jury in Georgia that is investigating possible criminal conduct related to the 2020 election, a federal judge ruled on Aug. 15.
Graham’s lawyers had argued he was exempt from testifying because he’s a U.S. senator protected by the U.S. Constitution, including the speech or debate clause.
U.S. District Judge Leigh Martin May, an Obama appointee, disagreed.
“In sum, the Court finds that there are considerable areas of potential grand jury inquiry falling outside the Speech or Debate Clause’s protections,” May wrote in a 22-page order.
“Additionally, sovereign immunity fails to shield Senator Graham from testifying before the Special Purpose Grand Jury,” the judge added. “Finally, though Senator Graham argues that he is exempt from testifying as a high-ranking government official, the Court finds that the District Attorney has shown extraordinary circumstances and a special need for Senator Graham’s testimony on issues relating to alleged attempts to influence or disrupt the lawful administration of Georgia’s 2022 elections.”…