Trump surrenders to Fulton County authorities in Georgia 2020 election case | CNN Politics

Trump’s surrender in the Georgia 2020 election subversion case

Leinz Vales Aditi Sangal Adrienne Vogt Elise Hammond
By Leinz Vales, Aditi Sangal, Adrienne Vogt, Maureen Chowdhury, Matt Meyer, Elise Hammond and Tori B. Powell, CNN
Updated 11:58 PM EDT, Thu August 24, 2023
maggie trump split
Video Ad Feedback
Haberman: This is the message Trump wanted to convey in his mug shot
1:08 • Source: CNN
maggie trump split
1:08

What we covered here

Our live coverage has ended. Read more about Thursday’s developments in the posts below.

58 Posts

Trump booked in Fulton County, the fourth time this year he has faced criminal charges. Here's what we know

From CNN staff

Donald Trump became the first former president with a mug shot when he was placed under arrest at the Fulton County jail on Thursday evening.

Trump was booked on 13 counts stemming from his efforts to reverse Georgia’s 2020 election results — including racketeering, conspiracy charges and soliciting a public official to violate their oath of office.

It is the fourth time this year the former president has faced criminal charges.

Here’s what to know about the historic day:

  • What happened: The former president, wearing a dark blue suit and red tie, arrived at the Fulton County jail at around 7:30 p.m. ET. After he surrendered, he was placed under arrest and booked on more than a dozen charges. Jail records listed him at 6 foot 3 inches tall and weighing 215 pounds, with blue eyes and blond or strawberry hair. His booking number was P01135809. A mug shot was also taken.
  • Released on bond: The booking process was completed in little more than 20 minutes because the former president and his lawyers negotiated his consent bond agreement ahead of the surrender. Trump agreed to a $200,000 bond and other release conditions, including not using social media to target the co-defendants and witnesses in the case. Trump covered the cost of the bond by putting 10% toward it and working with a local Atlanta bonding company, sources told CNN.
  • What Trump said: The former president briefly addressed reporters before boarding his plane to return to New Jersey. He said, “I did nothing wrong,” and described the criminal case against him as “a travesty of justice.” In an interview with the right-wing network Newsmax, he described being at Fulton County jail as “a “terrible experience.”
  • The mug shot: Trump’s team had discussed the former president’s mug shot prior to his arrival at Fulton County jail, two sources familiar with the discussions told CNN. Trump ultimately decided he wanted to appear “defiant” in the shot, and purposefully chose not to smile, the sources said. 
  • Fundraising battles: After leaving Atlanta, Trump posted the image of his mug shot on Truth Social and X, formerly known as Twitter, as the campaign sought to fundraise off the arrest. Without referencing the events in Georgia, President Joe Biden’s campaign also sent a fundraising email that read, “I think today’s a great day to give to my campaign.”
  • A new lawyer: Trump and his senior advisers briefly met with his new Georgia lawyer, Steven Sadow, on the plane to Atlanta. Trump replaced his previous lawyer, Drew Findling, just ahead of the surrender. In 2021, Sadow criticized RICO charges as a way for prosecutors to introduce evidence that would otherwise not be admissible during an interview about the potential charges Trump faced in Georgia.
  • The scene outside: Supporters of the former president lined the street entrance to the jail before Trump arrived. Protesters both in support and against Trump stood with signs. Some were dressed in prison uniforms or were draped in American flags, with some singing “God Bless America.” During the proceeding, protesters were yelling about District Attorney Fani Willis, chanting, “Lock Fani up.”
  • About the jail: The Fulton County jail has a reputation for troubled conditions for inmates. Last month, the US Justice Department launched a civil rights investigation into living conditions, access to health care, violence against detainees and possible discrimination against those with psychiatric disabilities.
  • What happens next: All of the defendants have until noon on Friday to surrender. Willis has also asked for Trump and the other 18 defendants to be arraigned next month. She has requested an October 23 trial date.

Trump co-defendant John Eastman unlikely to request speedy trial in Georgia election case, attorney says

From CNN's Mary Kay Mallonee

John Eastman, the right-wing lawyer who advised former President Donald Trump on plots to disrupt Congress’ certification of the 2020 election results, is unlikely, at this point, to request a speedy trial in the Georgia election subversion case, his attorney told CNN Thursday night. 

Co-defendant Ken Chesebro, a pro-Trump lawyer who requested a speedy trial, is now set to go to trial on October 23.

“This is an enormously complicated case. I can only imagine what the discovery is going to look like and I think it’s going to take some time to work through all that,” Burnham said.

On whether Eastman will try to get his case moved from state court to federal court, Burnham said they have not yet made a decision. 

Eastman did not work for the executive branch, unlike former Trump chief of staff Mark Meadows who is trying to get his case moved to federal court. 

Burnham acknowledged that “it would be a more difficult argument for Dr. Eastman, for sure.”

Trump has arrived back in New Jersey

Former President Donald Trump’s plane has just landed at Newark International Airport in New Jersey, almost exactly five hours after he took off on a flight for Atlanta earlier Thursday. 

He’s expected to travel from the airport to his Bedminster golf club.

While in Atlanta, Trump was booked at the Fulton County jail on more than a dozen charges stemming from his efforts to reverse Georgia’s 2020 election results, marking the fourth time this year the former president has faced criminal charges.

Trump departs Georgia after surrendering in election subversion case

From CNN staff
Trump boards his plane as he departs Atlanta Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport in Atlanta, Georgia, on Thursday, August 24.
Trump boards his plane as he departs Atlanta Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport in Atlanta, Georgia, on Thursday, August 24.
Andrew Caballero-Reynolds/AFP/Getty Images

Donald Trump has departed Atlanta after surrendering at the Fulton County jail on more than a dozen charges stemming from his efforts to reverse Georgia’s 2020 election results, the fourth time this year the former president has faced criminal charges.

In all, the former president was in Atlanta for more than an hour and a half.

“I did nothing wrong,” Trump told reporters before boarding the plane.

Trump described the criminal case against him as “a travesty of justice.” 

Later Thursday, he told the right-wing network Newsmax that being at Fulton County jail was “a “terrible experience.”

“I came in, I was treated very nicely,” he said of his booking experience. “It is what it is. I took a mug shot, which I’d never heard the words mug shot.”

Jail records show the former president was placed under arrest and booked at the Fulton County jail on Thursday night. 

He was booked as inmate No. P01135809.

The jail record shows that Trump is 6 foot 3 inches tall and weighs 215 pounds. He is listed as having blue eyes and blonde or strawberry hair.

Ahead of the surrender, Trump had agreed to a $200,000 bond and other release conditions, including not using social media to intimidate co-defendants or witnesses in the case. 

So far, a total of 12 defendants including Trump have surrendered. Trump and 10 co-defendants are now out on bail. One defendant, Harrison Floyd, is still in custody.

The remaining seven co-defendants have until noon ET on Friday to turn themselves in.

"A great day to give." Biden sends fundraising email following Trump's surrender

From CNN's Dana Bash

Without referencing today’s events in Fulton County, President Joe Biden’s campaign sent a fundraising email.

The subject line reads: “Apropos of nothing.”

Earlier Thursday Trump surrendered at the Fulton County jail on more than a dozen charges stemming from his efforts to reverse Georgia’s 2020 election results, the fourth time this year the former president has faced criminal charges.

Trump posts on X, formerly known as Twitter, for the first time since 2021

From Kaitlan Collins and Kristen Holmes

Former President Donald Trump has posted for the first time on X, formerly known as Twitter, since the final days of his term in office.

The post, which included his mug shot, contains the same message he posted earlier tonight on Truth Social, showing his mug shot with the words “ELECTION INTERFERENCE” and “NEVER SURRENDER!” below it.

In a fund-raising note he shared on both platforms, the former president wrote:

Until tonight, Trump’s previous post still visible on X, then known as Twitter, was to say on January 8, 2021, that he would not be attending the inauguration of President Joe Biden. That same day, Trump was suspended by the platform “due to the risk of further incitement of violence,” Twitter said.

The Trump account was restored in November of 2022 by Elon Musk, who took over the social platform.

Trump’s campaign is also selling T-shirts with the former president’s mug shot and “NEVER SURRENDER!” printed on them as the campaign continues to fundraise off the arrest.

Trump supporters depart Fulton County jail

From CNN's Holmes Lybrand

Roughly 100 supporters of Donald Trump slowly left in their cars and on foot from the Fulton County jail after news broke the former president had left the area after his surrender.  

Despite not seeing Trump’s motorcade arrive through the main entrance, several supporters told CNN they were glad they showed up, but upset they missed seeing him. 

Kunst said he wanted the “satisfaction” of seeing Trump arrive “for the people coming from around the country.” 

A caravan of supporters held signs outside their car windows as they left the jail and the parking lot slowly emptied, while police vehicles also left their posts in front of the jail.

There was also a small number of anti-Trump protestors carrying their own signs outside the jail, calling for Trump’s imprisonment.

Trump wanted to appear "defiant" in mug shot, sources say

From CNN's Alayna Treene

Donald Trump’s team had discussed the former president’s mug shot prior to him taking it at the Fulton County jail Thursday evening, two sources familiar with the discussions told CNN.

Trump ultimately decided he wanted to appear “defiant” in the shot, and purposefully chose not to smile, the sources said.  

The former president watched cable news coverage of both his surrender and the debate on the plane ride to Atlanta, and he is continuing to watch cable news coverage on his trip back, two advisers told CNN. 

Trump also had a number of aides traveling with him: Susie Wiles, Walt Nauta, Jason Miller, Steven Cheung, Brian Jack, and Boris Epshteyn among others. 

Donald Trump's mug shot has been released

From CNN's Meridith Edwards
Former President Donald Trump's booking photo taken at the Fulton County Sheriff's Office on Thursday, August 24, 2023. 
Former President Donald Trump's booking photo taken at the Fulton County Sheriff's Office on Thursday, August 24, 2023. 
Fulton County Sheriff's Office

The Fulton County Sheriff’s Office has released a mug shot of former President Donald Trump.

Jail records show Trump was placed under arrest and booked as inmate No. P01135809.

Trump’s surrender in Georgia marks the fourth time this year the former president has turned himself in to local or federal officials after criminal charges were brought against him.

Trump, for his part, posted the image of his mug shot on Truth Social with “ELECTION INTERFERENCE” and “NEVER SURRENDER!” written below it.

CNN's Dana Bash calls Trump mug shot "an image that will be cemented in history"

Donald Trump has become the first former US president with a mug shot.

The photo taken in the Fulton County jail Thursday night is “an image that will be cemented in history,” CNN’s Dana Bash said.

His supporters and campaign are going to appropriate the image, she said.

During their on-air analysis following Trump’s surrender in Fulton County, CNN’s Jake Tapper mentioned, in discussion with CNN’s Abby Phillips, other disputed presidential elections in US history – but that “none have ever gotten to this point.”

“Ultimately they had their day in court, they lost and they conceded defeat,” Tapper said of the presidential elections of 1876 and 2000.

Watch more of Bash’s analysis here.

"I did nothing wrong," Trump says after being arrested and released from jail

From CNN's Hannah Rabinowitz
Trump speaks to the media at Atlanta Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport.
Trump speaks to the media at Atlanta Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport.
Joe Raedle/Getty Images

Former President Donald Trump briefly addressed reporters after being placed under arrest and released on bond from the Fulton County jail on Thursday.

Trump described the criminal case against him as “a travesty of justice.” 

“We have every single right to challenge an election that we think is dishonest,” he said.

Trump also addressed the other criminal cases pending against him, saying, “ This is one instance but you have three other instances. This is election interference.”

Some background: His surrender in Georgia marked the fourth time this year the former president has turned himself in to local or federal officials after criminal charges were brought against him – episodes that had never been seen in the US before 2023.

In April, the former president was booked in New York on state charges related to a hush money scheme. In June, he surrendered at a Miami federal courthouse to face charges in special counsel Jack Smith’s probe into the mishandling of classified documents.

And earlier this month, Trump was placed under arrest in Washington, DC, and arraigned on charges brought by Smith in his investigation into attempts to overturn the 2020 election.

All of those cases could come to a head next year at the same time that Trump is running for president.

Trump arrives at airport and may speak to reporters

From CNN's Hannah Rabinowitz

Former President Donald Trump’s motorcade has returned to the Atlanta airport, where he is expected to address reporters on the tarmac.

Afterward, Trump plans to board his private plane to return to his Bedminster golf club in New Jersey.

Trump departs Fulton County jail

From CNN's Hannah Rabinowitz

Former President Donald Trump has completed the booking process and left the Fulton County jail.

He was at the jail for about 20 minutes.

His motorcade is returning to Atlanta’s Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport.

A mug shot was taken of Donald Trump, Fulton County sheriff says

From CNN's Meridith Edwards

A mug shot was taken of Donald Trump, according to Fulton County Sheriff Patrick Labat.

Former President Donald Trump released on bond, jail records say

From CNN's Hannah Rabinowitz

Former President Donald Trump has completed the booking process, according to jail records that indicate he has been released on bond.

Trump agreed to a $200,000 bond and other release conditions, including not using social media to intimidate co-defendants or witnesses in the case, which were previously negotiated by his attorneys.

The former president covered the cost of the bond by putting 10% toward it and he worked with a local Atlanta bonding company Foster Bail Bonds LLC, sources told CNN.

Fulton County marks the first case where Trump has been required to pay a cash bail. His odds of being released without a cash bail were slim in Georgia. Trump was already facing three other felony indictments when he was charged here.

Inmate No. P01135809: Here's a look at Trump's booking record

From CNN's Hannah Rabinowitz and Devan Cole
Former President Donald Trump's booking record.
Former President Donald Trump's booking record.
Fulton County Sheriff's Office

Jail records show former President Donald Trump was placed under arrest and booked at the Fulton County jail on Thursday night. 

The jail record shows that Trump is 6 foot 3 inches tall and weighs 215 pounds. He is listed as having blue eyes and blonde or strawberry hair. He was booked as inmate No. P01135809.

Trump was at the jail for about 20 minutes.

Fulton County Sheriff Pat Labat has said all 19 defendants in the Georgia election subversion case will go through the same process as any other criminal defendant in the county, which includes having fingerprints and mug shots taken.

Like several of his 18 co-defendants who have already surrendered at the jail, Trump’s processing was completed quickly because the former president and his lawyers negotiated his consent bond agreement ahead of Thursday’s surrender.

As part of the order, Trump agreed to a $200,000 bond and other release conditions, including not using social media to intimidate co-defendants and witnesses in the case. 

JUST IN: Trump surrenders in Atlanta jail in 4th criminal case brought against him this year

From CNN's Jeremy Herb, Devan Cole and Tierney Sneed

Donald Trump has surrendered at the Fulton County jail in Atlanta to be booked on more than a dozen charges stemming from his efforts to reverse Georgia’s 2020 election results.

Trump is being placed under arrest in Fulton County.

Trump agreed earlier this week to a $200,000 bond and other release conditions, including not using social media to target the co-defendants and witnesses in the case.

Protesters at the jail could be heard yelling against District Attorney Fani Willis, who charged Trump and 18 others in the election subversion case. 

“Lock Fani up!” the former president’s supporters chanted.

His surrender in Georgia marks the fourth time this year the former president has turned himself in to local or federal officials after criminal charges were brought against him – episodes that had never been seen in the US before 2023.

In April, the former president was booked in New York on state charges related to a hush money scheme. In June, he surrendered at a Miami federal courthouse to face charges in special counsel Jack Smith’s probe into the mishandling of classified documents.

And earlier this month, Trump was placed under arrest in Washington, DC, and arraigned on charges brought by Smith in his investigation into attempts to overturn the 2020 election.

All of those cases could come to a head next year at the same time that Trump is running for president.

Trump arrives at Fulton County jail to surrender

From CNN's Kaitlan Collins, Devan Cole, Jeremy Herb and Tierney Sneed
WSB

Donald Trump has arrived at Fulton County jail in Atlanta to surrender and be booked on more than a dozen charges stemming from his efforts to reverse Georgia’s 2020 election results, the fourth time this year the former president has faced criminal charges.

How the process is expected to unfold: Like most of his 18 co-defendants in the sprawling racketeering case who have already surrendered at the jail, Trump’s processing through the facility will likely be completed quickly because the former president and his lawyers have already negotiated his consent bond agreement.

Trump agreed to a $200,000 bond and other release conditions, including not using social media to target the co-defendants and witnesses in the case.

According to the Fulton County Sheriff’s Office, once a defendant enters the jail and is taken into custody, a person is technically “under arrest.” Defendants are not expected to be handcuffed. They are expected to be fingerprinted and have their mug shot taken, according to Fulton County Sheriff Patrick Labat.

Normally, those taken into custody are thoroughly searched by a jail deputy. In the past, though, some high-profile defendants who have voluntarily surrendered were not subjected to that thorough body search. 

Defendants typically undergo a medical screening and receive a pre-trial consultation to determine whether they can sign out on their own recognizance. It’s unclear if that will happen with Trump.

Earlier Thursday morning, members of Trump’s team were unsure whether the former president would have a mug shot taken when he surrenders, two sources familiar with the matter told CNN. 

The sheriff has insisted publicly that Trump will be treated like any other defendant. His co-defendants have all had their mug shots taken. 

CNN’s Sara Murray and Ryan Young contributed reporting to this post.

Trump supporters line the street to Fulton County jail singing "God Bless America"

From CNN's Holmes Lybrand

Supporters of former President Donald Trump are lining the street entrance to the Fulton County jail, where Trump is set to surrender shortly.

Protesters both in support and against the former president stood with signs. Some were dressed in prison uniforms or were draped in American flags, with some singing “God Bless America.”

Law enforcement officers blocked off access for those around the jail from entering or exiting the area hours before Trump’s arrival, leaving the crowds to stand in place and wait for the motorcade to drive past and enter the facility.

Right-wing figures like Marjorie Taylor Greene and Laura Loomer were also seen outside the jail among the protesters.

Some pro-Trump supporters could be heard chanting “Free Harrison” in reference to Harrison Floyd, a Trump co-defendant in Georgia who turned himself into the jail earlier today.

Unlike all other 18 defendants in the case, Floyd did not negotiate a bond before turning himself in and will remain detained at the jail until he appears before a Fulton County judge for a bond hearing.

Trump met briefly with advisers and new lawyer on his plane 

From CNN's Alayna Treene

Former President Donald Trump and his senior advisers briefly met with his new lawyer, Steven Sadow, on his private plane upon landing in Atlanta on Thursday. 

Trump is traveling with his aides Susie Wiles, Jason Miller and Steven Cheung, among others. 

Trump aide Walt Nauta, his co-defendant in the special counsel’s classified document case, is also traveling with the president.

Trump exited his plane shortly after 7 p.m. ET and told reporters, “Thank you very much” from a distance before getting into his motorcade. 

The president and his motorcade are currently en route to Fulton County jail.

Up next

Show all

READ MORE

READ MORE

Download the CNN app

Scan the QR code to download the CNN app on Google Play.

Scan the QR code to download the CNN app from Google Play.

Download the CNN app

Scan the QR code to download the CNN app from the Apple Store.

Scan the QR code to download the CNN app from the Apple Store.