Worries of Violence Grow as Potential Trump Indictment Looms in Georgia
As the possibility of an indictment against former President Donald Trump in Georgia becomes more likely, concerns about potential violence are on the rise. Gabriel Sterling, a prominent Republican and top elections official in Georgia, has repeatedly denounced Trump’s claims of election fraud following his loss to Joe Biden in the 2020 presidential election. Sterling’s primary concern is the potential risk of incendiary attacks on voting integrity leading to violence.
Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis is expected to present a case to a grand jury this week after investigating efforts to overturn Trump’s loss in Georgia. Trump, however, denies any wrongdoing.
During an appearance on This Week, Sterling expressed his worry that Trump’s rhetoric, including a recent campaign ad attacking Willis, could once again incite violence. He cautioned that it would likely be the actions of an individual who had been radicalized rather than an organized event.
Sterling’s concerns echo a warning he issued back in December 2020 when he worked as the voting system implementation manager in Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger’s office. He urged Trump to stop inspiring people to commit potential acts of violence, remarking, Someone’s going to get hurt. Someone’s going to get shot. Someone’s going to get killed.
In the aftermath of the 2020 presidential election, Sterling and Raffensperger, both Republicans, gained attention for pushing back against false claims of voter fraud in Georgia made by Trump and his allies. Trump even pressured Raffensperger in a well-known phone call to find enough votes for him to secure a victory in Georgia.
During the interview, Sterling was asked about Trump’s apparent belief that he actually won the election, as alleged by federal prosecutors. Sterling stressed that independent audits had failed to find any evidence of voter fraud in Georgia, and Trump’s public skepticism of mail voting contributed to his loss.
We counted the ballots three times. He lost this state, Sterling asserted. He added that Trump’s focus on his false claims about the 2020 election has given him short-term political gains in his bid for the 2024 Republican presidential nomination. However, Sterling believes that anyone fixated on the past election will struggle to win the general election.
While closely following Trump’s legal battles, Sterling admitted to feeling fatigued by the entire situation. He refrained from confirming whether he would testify before the grand jury but stated that he would provide truthful answers if called upon.
The discussion with Sterling also touched on the reasons why many in the Republican Party’s base have embraced Trump’s false claims of voter fraud. Sterling attributed it to tribalistic tendencies, explaining that individuals tend to align with their party’s beliefs and view dissenting opinions as apostasy.
Overall, the potential indictment of Trump in Georgia raises concerns about violence and the repercussions of inflammatory attacks on voting integrity. As the legal process unfolds, the impact on Trump’s political future remains uncertain. However, one thing is clear: the focus on his false claims about the 2020 election risks alienating voters and may hinder his chances in future elections.
