Donald Trump turned himself in at Fulton County jail in Georgia on Thursday last week, where he was fingerprinted and had a mugshot taken – just like any other accused felon. Obviously, unlike many others in the same situation, he was immediately able to post bond and leave. Nevertheless, the moment was remarkable: it was the first ever mugshot of a former president.
Back in March, before the various investigations had resulted in any indictments, Trump warned there could be consequences if he was indicted, calling on his supporters to “take back our nation”. No 6 January-style mass action has materialised, but as summer winds down in the northern hemisphere, political threats and violence do seem to be ramping up here in the US.
Fulton County district attorney Fani Willis, an African American woman and the official who indicted Trump as part of a conspiracy to overturn the 2020 presidential election results in Georgia, has faced threats. Members of the grand jury who weighed the evidence in the Georgia case have been doxxed by Trump supporters, putting them at risk of violence for doing their civic duty.
