For a guy who claims to love law and order, Lindsey Graham has sure been doing a lot to avoid it. Unfortunately for him, Lady Justice is catching up quick.
After a lower federal court ordered last month that he appear before the special grand jury investigating alleged efforts by Republicans to overturn Georgia’s 2020 presidential election, he vowed to appeal the ruling.
Well, on Friday, prosecutors urged the 11th Circuit Court of Appeals to compel the anti-LGBTQ congressman to testify under oath, and their case was strong.
According to court docs filed in July, the grand jury wants to speak with Graham about those two phone calls he made to Brad Raffensperger after the 2020 election, during in which he allegedly pressured the Georgia Secretary of State to “explore the possibility of a more favorable outcome for former President Donald Trump.”
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Related: Lindsey Graham caves to grand jury subpoena, whines that “we’re opening Pandora’s Box!”
“The Superior Court of Fulton County authorized a targeted subpoena compelling Sen. Graham to testify about possible attempts to disrupt the lawful administration of the 2020 elections in Georgia,” prosecutors argued in the amici curiae brief filed last Friday.
“The district court’s decision is correct: Senator Graham is not categorically immune from testifying about non-legislative activity under the Speech or Debate Clause. As the district court explained, even if legislative immunity covers some of the testimony contemplated by the subpoena, it certainly does not cover all of it.”
Graham has accused prosecutors of being on a “fishing expedition”, and his lawyers have argued that, as a sitting U.S. senator, he has “sovereign immunity” from state court procedures, as well as constitutional protection because “the testimony sought relates to matters within the legislative sphere.”
But prosecutors disagreed on Friday.
“The district court carefully assessed the facts, studiously applied controlling precedent, and took appropriate steps to modify the subpoena to safeguard Senator Graham’s prerogatives under the Speech or Debate Clause,” their 22-page filing read.
Related: Donald Trump reveals the reason Lindsey Graham “kisses my a**”
It continued: “To the extent Senator Graham harbors any lingering concerns that the district court’s order will allow an end-run around legislative immunity, the district court stands willing and able to adjudicate those disputes as they arise— as federal courts routinely do when resolving claims of privilege.”
“Until then, Senator Graham cannot escape questioning for his non-legislative acts by hiding behind the cloak of the Speech or Debate Clause.”
We’re not sure when the 11th Circuit Court of Appeals will issue its ruling on the matter but, given that Graham has lost literally every court fight in this matter so far, we’d say the odds are not in his favor.
Now, some tweets…
Lindsey Graham's ongoing legal tantrum, trying to avoid testifying to the grand jury about Donald Trump's Georgia state election crimes. #JusticeMatters https://t.co/wN2t8D9F2x via @YouTube
— Glenn Kirschner (@glennkirschner2) October 9, 2022
I get that things take time but it’s about time. Trump needs to see the inside of a court house and his pet dog Lindsey Graham
— Mary Perret (@perret_mary) October 8, 2022
When is Lindsey Graham going to Georgia?
— Barbara Malmet (@B52Malmet) October 10, 2022
Lindsey Graham believes he is too special to have to testify to the Grand Jury. He’s still fighting it and plans to continue. https://t.co/kiqf4UjHYP
— Pegster (@Pegster99) October 8, 2022
Why is Lindsey Graham not in jail for refusing to testify for the trial in Georgia? I have not moved on!
— Bernie (@BernFost1) October 6, 2022
Lindsey Graham needs to go testify in front of a jury & be asked questions about his election interference, I can’t believe that he’s fighting to keep from being asked questions..
That’s like a murderer telling his lawyers to not ask questions about the murder.
— Bobby Diaz (@BobbyDi53721283) October 10, 2022
With all due respect to Lindsey Graham…nah, f*ck that… nobody respects Lindsey, I'm not saying he's wrong… I'm saying… isn't there a court in Georgia, waiting on his testimony?
— Michael Dickson (@1MichaelDickson) October 6, 2022
If Lindsey Graham has nothing to hide then why is it so hard for him to testify? Why not get on the stand, use the fifth amendment? I mean either way he's guilty of something.
— KT (@sloyoroll01973) October 8, 2022
Neoprene
Dame Lindsey gets more bitter about being closeted with every passing year.
Jeremiah
The devil doesn’t want to go down to Georgia
She’s too busy going down in South Carolina
LumpyPillows
Lock her up!
scotty
what are you hiding, miss lindsey? you’re a pathetic excuse for a human let alone a politician. bitch, you need to step down voluntarily or be brought down by force.
Herman75
His hysterectomy had complications, the poor old thing.
Prax07
Just put EVERY last MAGA Republican in office on death row as Traitors where they belong. They are subhuman scum, and as the traitors they are they deserve the historical punishment, death. Scum, all of them.
Kangol2
As much as I abhor the MAGA fascist ideology and the January 6 coup plotters and participants, I think calling for putting people on death row is too much.
What I badly wish would occur is that finally, the MAGA cult leader and arch-criminal Don the Con, would be indicted and convicted for his numerous crimes, committed before (tax fraud, etc.), during (too many to count but including treason and plotting to and participating in multiple attempts to steal a legitimate US election), and after (stealing classified documents, lying about doing so, espionage charges, etc.), and remanded to a high security prison for the rest of his miserable life. I also wish that everyone who aided and abetted him along the way be charged as well. For the sake of our democracy, the Republican Party, the United States as a whole, and the globe!
Kangol2
Hike that hoop skirt, Lady G, and get thee down to that Georgia grand jury, pronto! I thought you and the GQP were the Party of Law and Order and adhered to the “rule of law.” The law’s calling, Miss Thang, so obey it!
Fahd
Graham was a sleazy SC trial lawyer before entering politics; he’s comfortable with delay and obfuscation as cheap legal tactics. After all, maybe all his accusers or the witnesses will die before he’s held to account. He also seems to be one of those people who don’t experience shame; he seems able to proceed despite a lifetime of stigma. The current corrupt Supreme Court majority will ensure he doesn’t wind up behind bars. Sigh. One comfort for the rest us might be that special place in hell long reserved for him.
RoyM
Considering that the 11th Circuit is packed with Trump judges, I wouldn’t count on a ruling against Graham. I’ll give it 40-60 chance.
cuteguy
Normally I’m not a fan of forcing some out of the closet but for Lady G I’ll make an exception. Why can’t some sex worker expose her for the lying hypocrite we all know Lady G to be.