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What do Trump’s pardons mean for the Georgia election interference case?

The ‘Politically Georgia’ team discusses the pardons of 18 of the president’s co-defendants in the Fulton County RICO case.
President Donald Trump speaks with reporters in the Cabinet Room of the White House, Nov. 7, 2025, in Washington. (Evan Vucci/AP)

Credit: AP

Credit: AP

President Donald Trump speaks with reporters in the Cabinet Room of the White House, Nov. 7, 2025, in Washington. (Evan Vucci/AP)
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8 hours ago

Earlier this week, President Donald Trump pardoned 18 of his co-defendants in the 2020 Georgia election interference case.

Atlanta Journal-Constitution journalists Tia Mitchell, Patricia Murphy and Greg Bluestein talked to colleague Tamar Hallerman about the pardons and what they mean.

Hallerman, who has covered the election interference case for the AJC, said the move won’t prevent the group from facing state charges because Trump cannot pardon people in state court.

The team also revisits a conversation with Democratic gubernatorial candidate Geoff Duncan from the AJC’s recent live candidate forum.

Have a question or comment for the show? Call or text the 24-hour “Politically Georgia” podcast hotline at 770-810-5297. We’ll play back your question and answer it during our next Monday mailbag segment. You can also email your questions to politicallygeorgia@ajc.com.

Listen and subscribe to our podcast for free at Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you listen to podcasts.

About the Author

Natalie Mendenhall is an award-winning producer for the "Politically Georgia" podcast. She also steps in front of the mic, creating compelling segments for the show. Before joining the AJC, the Chicago native worked as a senior producer at Georgia Public Broadcasting.

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Former President Donald Trump (center) was indicted on Aug. 14, 2023, by a Fulton County grand jury on multiple felony charges. Also indicted were (top row, from left) Mike Roman, Rudy Giuliani, David Shafer, Missy Hampton, Kenneth Chesebro; (second row, from left) John Eastman, Jenna Ellis, Trevian Kutti, Mark Meadows; (third row, from left) Harrison Floyd, Sidney Powell, Jeffrey Clark, Cathy Latham; (fourth row, from left) Ray Smith III, Bob Cheeley, Shawn Still, Scott Hall and Stephen Cliffgard Lee.

Credit: George Mathis

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