A federal judge declared that U.S. Rep. Jody Hice couldn’t evade being subpoenaed to the 10th District’s special grand jury to testify on whether former President Donald Trump tried to manipulate Georgia’s 2020 election.
Judge Leigh Martin May of the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Georgia indicated on Monday that she intends to deny Hice’s request to disavow his subpoena, adding that Hice could face future subpoenas if he objects to questions surrounding his role as a U.S. House member.
Hice’s attorneys had cited the U.S. Constitution’s “Speech or Debate'' clause, which protects congressional members from being questioned in court about their legislative decisions and potential motivations. They designated Hice as a “high-ranking official” a special designation that includes its own high legal standard for when witnesses are compelled to talk to a grand jury.
U.S. Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., is similarly planning to fight his summons in an Atlanta court.