The Other "Big One" is Coming Down the Pike

Fani Willis, Fulton County District Attorney

Rumor has it that the other Big One is coming down the pike, as soon as Tuesday.  Fani Willis, District Attorney for Fulton County, Georgia, is expected to indict Donald Trump for his attempt to pressure the Georgia Secretary of State into changing the election result, and possibly for other attempts to overturn the election in Georgia.

I am very curious to see how Republicans react to this one, as compared to Jack Smith's Big One.  There are some interesting similarities and differences.

On the one hand, clearly this indictment will be just as overtly "political" as the last one. On the other hand, the evidence of crime is much more straightforward, and the criminal charges can be simple and not stretch any existing law.  Falsifying vote outcomes is a well-established crime that has been prosecuted many times in the past.  On yet another hand, rumor has it that Willis is prosecuting, not just Trump for the phone call, numerous prominent Georgia Republicans and some local activists.  This is still well within her authority, but prosecuting numerous Republican leaders and activists, no matter how much they deserve it, will feed the persecution narrative. 

As an elective local District Attorney, Willis cannot be accused of being part of the "deep state," or of being under the command of Joe Biden.  But, as an elected official, she can be accused of political grandstanding and pursuing a partisan vendetta.  Fani Willis is Black.  Trump has repeatedly called her a racist and accused him of picking on him because he is White.  She is also the first woman to bring charges, which might awaken other issues for Trump and many followers.  As a state official, Trump, even as President, will not be able to stop her from prosecuting, or to pardon himself.  On the other hand, Willis will be running for reelection at the same time Trump is running for election.  Trump and his supporters can back a challenger.

So I am very curious to see what happens when the second Big One comes down, and how it compares to the first Big One.