The Georgia Republican Party (GOP) has reportedly spent over $1.7 million in legal fees since 2022, including $237,000 last month alone, to defend GOP officials charged alongside former President Trump in the Fulton County election subversion criminal case.
Following Trump’s narrow loss in the 2020 presidential election in Georgia, the former president and an initial 18 co-defendants were indicted on felony charges of attempting to overturn the election results. The indicted state officials include former Georgia Republican Party Chairman David Shafer, former Coffee County Republican Party Chairwoman Cathy Latham, and current GOP State Senator Shawn Still.
Months before stepping down as party chairman, Shafer boasted that none of the fake electors would have to ‘pay a penny out of pocket’ due to the GOP covering their legal bills. However, by the end of last month, the Georgia GOP reportedly had $450,000 left in cash on hand, significantly less than the $1.3 million it had at the same point prior to the 2020 election.
Current Georgia GOP Chairman Josh McKoon defended the party’s decision to cover the legal expenses, arguing that the charged officials ‘would have been financially ruined’ without the support. He expressed gratitude for the financial support that has allowed the GOP to meet these obligations while preparing for an ‘aggressive 2024 campaign.’
Despite the Georgia GOP’s willingness to cover Trump-linked legal bills, some members have been critical of this use of party funds, including Georgia Governor Brian Kemp. Kemp has become a target of Trump’s criticism after refusing to overturn the 2020 election results.
A trial date for Trump and his remaining 14 co-defendants in Georgia has not been set, and the former president continues to maintain his innocence in several unrelated criminal cases.
