Former President Donald Trump is set to turn himself in at the Fulton County Jail, Atlanta, on charges related to his attempts to retain power after the 2020 election. Supporters of the former president began gathering outside the facility hours before his expected surrender, with the crowd steadily growing throughout the day.
This marks the fourth time this year that Trump, an early frontrunner in the 2024 Republican presidential primary, is being booked on criminal charges. However, unlike his previous arrests at courthouses, this time he will be turning himself in at a jail notorious for its troubles.
One notable difference from his past surrenders is the expectation that authorities will take a booking photo of the former president. Trump, along with 18 others, was indicted by Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis last week. They are accused of participating in a sprawling scheme to undermine the will of Georgia voters who narrowly rejected Trump in favor of Democrat Joe Biden. Several others charged in the case, including Rudy Giuliani, Sidney Powell, Jenna Ellis, and John Eastman, had already turned themselves in earlier this week.
Fulton County Sheriff Pat Labat has emphasized that Trump and the others involved will be treated like any other individuals, stating, Unless somebody tells me differently, we are following our normal practices, and so it doesn’t matter your status, we’ll have a mugshot ready for you.
However, the scene outside the jail on Thursday was far from typical. Supporters of the former president, such as Cliff MacMorris from Naples, Florida, arrived with flags displaying the message Trump Won Save America. Cliff and his wife, Georgine, even spent the previous night in Atlanta to show their support. They believe that the indictments against Trump are politically motivated due to the prosperity, safety, and freedom that he achieved during his time in the White House.
Sharon Anderson from east Tennessee also expressed her unwavering support for Trump outside the jail. She claimed that the indictments against him only strengthened her backing, arguing that questioning election results is not a crime.
The Fulton County Jail, known as the Rice Street Jail, is located in a traditionally industrial part of northwest Atlanta. While the public and news media typically have access to the front of the jail, preparations for the booking of a former president have closed off the driveway from the main street for several days. To further tighten security, vehicle traffic was prohibited on the Rice Street side, and barricades were erected to keep protesters and media at a distance. Some sheriff’s deputies wore protective gear and formed a line along the street.
The jail has a history of problems, including crumbling infrastructure and overcrowding. This situation has resulted in more people being housed there than its official capacity allows. Currently, there are 2,618 individuals in the jail, exceeding its limit of 2,254. The U.S. Department of Justice has initiated a civil rights investigation into the jail’s conditions due to reports of violence, unsanitary conditions, and the death of a man covered in insects.
As Trump is expected to be booked but not spend time in the jail, the focus remains on the charges against him and the ongoing legal proceedings. Supporters gathered outside the facility, reflecting the divided opinions surrounding the former president’s actions. This controversial case will continue to capture attention as it moves through the justice system.
