Georgia District Attorney Prosecuting Atlanta Rappers And Investigating Trump Receives Death Threats
Fulton County, Ga. District Attorney Fani Willis says she has received death threats for prosecuting Atlanta-based rap artists accused of gang activity and for securing a special grand jury investigation of former President Trump who pressured Georgia elected officials to overturn the 2020 election results.
“We don’t believe that these threats were directed by anyone that is in the YSL (Young Slime Life Gang) indictment,” Willis told local station WSB. “I would say that (threats are coming from) people that are very sympathetic, maybe admirers of YSL and people who are connected with them in some sense.”
On May 9, police arrested rapper Young Thug at his Atlanta home after he was named in a gang indictment. Prosecutors say the indictment focuses on YSL, which prosecutors believe is a criminal street gang allegedly co-founded by the Grammy Award-winning artist and affiliated with the national Bloods street gang.
Born Jeffery Lamar Williams, the artist was charged with conspiracy to violate the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations (RICO) Act and participation in street gang activity. The charges are a part of a larger 56-count indictment that lists 28 alleged associates of YSL, including rapper Gunna.
Willis said she’s also getting more hostile comments on social media platforms from suspected Trump supporters after announcing a special grand jury.
In May, 23 grand jurors and three alternates were selected to serve. Their job is to investigate whether Trump illegally tried to influence the election and recommend to Willis whether to seek a criminal indictment from a regular grand jury.
“Oh, it is definitely a significant driver of the heightened security. People are angry about that investigation. People are angry about investigations into gangs, so each of those things plays a factor,” Willis stated.
Willis believes she’s possibly under surveillance as information circulates online about how to find her home. Consequently, she has made changes to her routine, including spending less time with family and friends to protect them from harm.
“I’m much more cautious than I’ve ever been in my life, paying more attention to my surroundings,” the prosecutor said. “It’s required for me to stay alive.”
Several local law enforcement agencies are collaborating to protect Willis. An investigation into the sources of the death threats is also underway.
