Trump Charged With Violating RICO Act In Election Interference Case

ATLANTA, GA — For the first time in U.S. history, a former president has a mugshot.

Former U.S. President Donald J. Trump surrendered late Thursday evening at the Fulton County Jail on RICO charges, according to the Fulton County Sheriff's Office.

He shared a copy of his mugshot with the words, "Election Interference/Never surrender," on his Truth Social account. He called Thursday "another sad day in America."

Trump was charged on suspicion of violation of the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act, three counts of solicitation of violation of oath by public officer, conspiracy to commit impersonating a public officer, two counts of first-degree conspiracy to commit forgery, two counts of conspiracy to commit false statements and writings, conspiracy to commit filing false documents, filing false documents and false statements and writings. He was released on a $200,000 bond.

"Mr. Trump’s bond order and stipulations are the result of negotiations between the district attorney’s office and his attorneys. It is expected that the remaining seven defendants, named in the Georgia election interference indictment, will surrender by Friday, Aug. 25, 2023," the sheriff's office said in a news release.

"Sheriff Patrick ‘Pat’ Labat would like to thank his sworn and civilian staff at the Fulton County Sheriff’s Office and all officers with our law enforcement partners for carrying out their duties as prescribed by law with integrity and consummate professionalism.

Added security will remain in place at the Fulton County Jail. Officers will also continue to ensure a safe space for protestors. However, anyone who breaks the law will be arrested and face appropriate consequences."

Trump, a Republican, has been accused of trying to interfere with the 2020 presidential election, during which he lost the race to current Democratic President Joe Biden.

He and his allies were indicted by a Fulton County grand jury on Aug. 14. Some of the defendants are accused of impersonating a police officer, acting as fake electors and trying to access a Coffee County voting machine to change votes.

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Former White House Chief of Staff Mark Meadows and Harrison Floyd III, a Trump supporter accused of harassing an election worker, surrendered to the county jail Thursday, according to the sheriff's office.

"While Mr. Meadows had previously negotiated his bond agreement and has been released, Mr. Floyd did not and, therefore, is in custody at the Fulton County Jail," the sheriff's office said in a news release.

According to jail records, Meadows was charged on suspicion of violation of the RICO Act and solicitation of violation of oath by public officer. His bond amount was $100,000.

According to jail records, Floyd was charged on suspicion of violation of the RICO Act, conspiracy to commit solicitation of false statements and writings and influencing witnesses.

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported Floyd is the former director of Black Voices for Trump.

Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis proposed Thursday the racketeering trial against Trump to begin on Oct. 23, the Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported.

Willis initially asked for a March 4, 2024, trial date while Trump requested an April 2026 date.

Willis' proposal is in response to former Trump attorney Kenneth Chesebro ask for a speedy trial. A judge approved the Oct. 23 trial date for Chesebro, the AJC reported.

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As of Thursday, former Kanye West publicist Trevian Kutti was given a $75,000 bond agreement while former senior Department of Justice official Jeffrey Clark was granted a $100,000 bond, the AJC reported.

According to multiple media reports, Trump replaced Attorney Drew Findling with Atlanta Defense Attorney Steve Sadow Thursday ahead of his surrender.

RELATED: Rudy Giuliani Surrenders At Fulton Jail On RICO Charges

John Eastman, Trump's former campaign attorney, was the first of the defendants to turn himself in at the Fulton County Jail. Atlanta bail bondsman Scott Hall followed suit and became the second defendant. Several other defendants have since been booked and released from the county jail.

In an exclusive interview with Fox Business last week, Trump said the four indictments against him stemming from the 2020 presidential election have "no basis." He argued his voice has been suppressed, saying, "They don't want you to ever talk about an election. If you talk about an election, they want to put you in jail."

Trump initially planned to host a press conference this week, saying he would present exoneration documents. However, he has since canceled the news conference at the advice of his attorneys, per a past Truth Social posting.