The political temperature in Fulton County, Georgia, is on the rise as its Democratic Sheriff, Pat Labat, eagerly anticipates the opportunity to take a mugshot of former President Donald Trump. This enthusiasm follows District Attorney Fani Willis’s convening of a grand jury to scrutinize whether Trump sought to influence the results of the hotly contested 2020 election in her county.
President Trump is already in the legal spotlight, having been indicted in New York City on 34 counts of falsifying business records. Further heat was added by the Department of Justice (DOJ) when it found classified documents at his Florida residence and resort. Most recently, he was indicted on four counts related to the 2020 election and its aftermath by the DOJ. However, despite the string of allegations, Trump remains adamant, denying any wrongdoing both in the previous indictments and in Georgia.
What makes the prospect of an indictment in the Peach State notably distinct, and possibly gratifying for some, is the prospect of a mugshot, a punitive feature absent from the DOJ charges and those filed by Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg. Sheriff Labat, seemingly thrilled at the potential of treating the former president as any other alleged criminal, promised to be ready to fingerprint and photograph Trump, given the chance.
“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,” Labat declared in a statement to WSB-TV. His eagerness to proceed with the potential indictment is evident, with his assurance that his department would be ready for action should the indictment be issued imminently.
While the Sheriff was largely tight-lipped beyond this statement, he did hint at his vigilance, closely watching the unfolding of the other three Trump indictments.
DA Willis, on the other hand, has been playing her cards close to her chest but did mention that she has maintained regular contact with Labat about a potential Trump indictment. Speaking to WXIA-TV in Atlanta, she commended Labat’s efforts to ensure the safety of the county courthouse, indicating his preparedness for potential turmoil following a Trump indictment.
An increased sense of anticipation is gripping many, as Willis has directed judges to refrain from scheduling any in-person hearings or trials for a portion of the month, suggesting a significant announcement may be on the horizon. “The work is accomplished,” the District Attorney said, “We’ve been working for two-and-a-half years. We’re ready to go.”
As we watch these events unfold, one must ponder whether our public servants remain committed to the concept of blind justice or if their actions lean towards personal biases and political affiliations. Our system should treat all equally, no matter their stature or former office. The priority should be to uphold the law and serve justice, not to revel in the spectacle of indictments.
