Justice Clarence Thomas temporarily blocks Lindsey Graham's testimony in Georgia election interference probe - NBC News

Conservative Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas connected Monday temporarily enactment connected clasp a request that Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., attest successful a Georgia prosecutor's probe of alleged interference successful the 2020 election by erstwhile President Donald Trump and his allies.

The determination by Thomas, who handles exigency requests that originate from Georgia, freezes the litigation portion the justices measurement Graham's plea that the Supreme Court quash the subpoena. Thomas had antecedently asked lawyers for the Fulton County District Attorney's Office to respond to Graham's petition by adjacent of concern connected Thursday. Thomas tin grip the exertion by himself, though mostly specified issues get referred to the afloat nine-justice court, which has a 6-3 blimpish majority.

Last week, the Atlanta-based 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals rejected Graham's effort to debar answering questions astir 2 telephone calls helium made to Georgia predetermination officials aft the 2020 predetermination because, helium argued, his actions were protected nether the U.S. Constitution’s code and statement clause.

Graham's lawyers argued successful the petition filed past week that the tribunal needs to measurement successful oregon other the senator's “constitutional immunities volition beryllium lost, and his statutorily guaranteed entreaty mooted, the infinitesimal the section Georgia authoritative questions him.”

As an influential subordinate of the Senate Judiciary Committee, Graham helped guarantee that Trump was capable to marque 3 appointments to the Supreme Court. His ineligible squad is led by Don McGahn, Trump's erstwhile White House counsel.

The tribunal often issues impermanent "administrative" stays successful cases involving exigency applications. It does not mean the justices volition assistance Graham's petition erstwhile the briefing is completed.

Thomas has faced scrutiny implicit his information successful cases concerning the 2020 predetermination due to the fact that his wife, Virginia “Ginni” Thomas, has questioned the results of the statesmanlike predetermination and gave grounds to the House committee investigating the Jan. 6, 2021, attack connected the Capitol by Trump supporters.