as the Jan 6 probe heats up 

Special counsel Jack Smith has compelled at least two Republican fake electors to testify to a federal grand jury in Washington in recent weeks by giving them limited immunity, part of a current push by federal prosecutors to swiftly nail down evidence in the sprawling criminal investigation into efforts to overturn the 2020 election.

That activity could signal that investigators are nearing at least some charging decisions in a part of the 2020 election probe, sources added.

It also comes just as the special counsel’s office filed charges against former President Donald rump for his handling of classified documents.

Prosecutors initially obtained documents and interviews last spring from many of the Republicans who signed false certificates to the federal government, asserting they were the rightful electors for the rump in seven battleground states won by Joe Biden.

At least half a dozen witnesses have testified before the federal grand jury in Washington over four days in the past two weeks, with many of the sessions focused on the fake electors’ plot orchestrated by attorneys assisting the rump campaign in 2020.

The numbers, profile of the witnesses and prosecutor tactics suggest a probe picking up its pace, several people familiar with the investigation said.

Last edited by Spunky (6/24/2023 6:48 pm)