Donald Trump’s mugshot was unveiled on Thursday evening after he underwent booking procedures at an Atlanta detention facility, facing over a dozen felony charges as part of an extensive criminal case linked to his efforts to overturn the 2020 election defeat in Georgia, during his tenure as the former U.S. president.
With a stern expression, Donald Trump, assigned inmate number P01135809 according to Fulton County Jail records, stared directly into the camera for his mugshot. This picture marked another exceptional moment for Trump, who was not previously required to submit to being photographed during his appearances in his other three criminal cases.
Without delay, he attempted to capitalise on the situation, sharing it on X, formerly known as Twitter, as well as his self-established social media platform, Truth Social. His campaign website showcased the mugshot along with a message from Trump in which he defended his actions and appealed for contributions.
This X post appeared to be Trump’s first engagement on the platform since his account was banned following the storming of the U.S. Capitol by his supporters on January 6, 2021. Elon Musk, the owner of X, had reinstated Trump’s account late the previous year.
Trump’s stint at the jail was brief, lasting around 20 minutes, after which he returned to his golf club in New Jersey. He reiterated his conviction that the ongoing prosecution and the other legal difficulties he is dealing with are the result of political motivations before boarding his private plane at Atlanta’s Hartsfield-Jackson airport.
He expressed to reporters, “A grave miscarriage of justice has unfolded here. I have committed no wrongdoing, a fact that is universally acknowledged.”
At the age of 77, Trump is already in uncharted territory as the first former U.S. president to confront criminal charges while simultaneously launching another bid for the presidency in the upcoming year.
Interestingly, rather than harming his candidature for the Republican Party nomination, the four legal cases against him have surprisingly solidified his position. He enjoys a substantial lead in polling for the Republican primary race, positioning himself to challenge the incumbent Democratic President Joe Biden in the November 2024 election.
Upon Trump’s arrival at the jail, a multitude of supporters waving Trump banners and American flags eagerly gathered to catch a glimpse. Among these supporters was Marjorie Taylor Greene, a U.S. Representative from Georgia and one of Trump’s staunchest allies in Congress.
Lyle Rayworth, a 49-year-old professional in the aviation industry in Atlanta, had stationed himself near the jail since early Thursday morning, enduring a wait of ten hours. He stated, “Yes, I’m hoping he notices me waving the flags, showing my support. He needs us.”
The image of Trump’s mugshot is bound to circulate widely among both his adversaries and his loyalists.
“‘We plan to feature it on a T-shirt. Its popularity will be global. It could even surpass the Mona Lisa,” commented Laura Loomer, a 30-year-old former Republican congressional candidate who mingled with fellow Trump supporters outside the jail.
Judge Scott McAfee has set a trial date of October 23 for one of Trump’s co-defendants, attorney Kenneth Chesebro, following a request for a speedy trial. The trial schedule, however, does not yet apply to Trump or the other co-defendants.
Out of the 19 co-defendants, 11 have already undergone booking procedures, as per authorities. Some, like Rudolph Giuliani, the former mayor of New York, sported stoic expressions in their mugshots, while others, such as lawyer Jenna Ellis, smiled for the camera.
All 19 defendants were required to surrender by Friday. Records indicate that Mark Meadows, Trump’s former White House chief of staff, underwent processing at the jail on Thursday.
The jail has gained notoriety due to its grim conditions, which inspired rap songs and even prompted an investigation by the U.S. Justice Department.
The charges against Trump in the Georgia case encompass 13 felony counts, including racketeering – usually associated with organised crime – for pressuring state officials to reverse his electoral loss and orchestrating an unauthorised group of electors to undermine the official congressional certification of Biden’s victory in the 2020 election.
Initially, Willis proposed a trial date of March 4 but later moved it up to accommodate Chesebro’s request for an October start. Trump’s legal team is yet to propose a date, although it’s expected to advocate for a significantly later commencement. On this matter, Trump’s new attorney in Atlanta, Steven Sadow, requested a separate trial for Trump from Chesebro.
In the three other cases, Trump has pleaded not guilty and denied any wrongdoing. In the Georgia case, Willis has urged for arraignments to begin during the week of September 5. Defendants in Georgia have the option to waive their appearances and plead not guilty through court filings.
The Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg initiated the first case, accusing Trump of falsifying business records to conceal payments of hush money to a pornographic actress who claimed a past encounter with him.
Additionally, Trump faces federal charges in two separate cases brought forth by Special Counsel Jack Smith – one in Washington related to election interference and another in Miami involving retained classified documents after leaving office in 2021. In total, he faces 91 criminal charges.
Trump agreed to post a $200,000 bond and consented to bail conditions that prohibited him from intimidating witnesses or co-defendants in the Georgia case.
The Republican-controlled U.S. House of Representatives announced on Thursday their intention to investigate whether Willis improperly coordinated with federal prosecutors. This follows their previous investigation into Bragg, to which he responded by accusing them of engaging in an “intimidation campaign.”
On the previous day, Trump’s main rivals in the race for the Republican presidential nomination convened in Milwaukee for their inaugural debate. However, Trump opted out of the event, instead participating in a pre-recorded interview with conservative commentator Tucker Carlson, a move seemingly aimed at diverting viewers.
Reflecting on his situation, Trump shared with Carlson, “I’ve been indicted four times – all trivial nonsense.”
