FILE - Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., speak during a news conference on Capitol Hill, Sept. 13, 2022, in Washington. Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas on Monday, Oct. 24, temporarily blocked Graham's testimony to a special grand jury investigating whether then-President Donald Trump and others illegally tried to influence the 2020 election in the state. (AP Photo/Mariam Zuhaib, File)FILE - Associate Justice Clarence Thomas joins other members of the Supreme Court as they pose for a new group portrait, at the Supreme Court building in Washington, Oct. 7, 2022. Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas on Monday, Oct. 24, temporarily blocked Sen. Lindsey Graham's testimony to a special grand jury investigating whether then-President Donald Trump and others illegally tried to influence the 2020 election in the state. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite, File)
Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.
FILE - Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., speak during a news conference on Capitol Hill, Sept. 13, 2022, in Washington. Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas on Monday, Oct. 24, temporarily blocked Graham's testimony to a special grand jury investigating whether then-President Donald Trump and others illegally tried to influence the 2020 election in the state. (AP Photo/Mariam Zuhaib, File)
WASHINGTON – Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas on Monday temporarily blocked Sen. Lindsey Graham’s testimony to a special grand jury investigating whether then-President Donald Trump and others illegally tried to influence the 2020 election in the state.
Thomas' order is intended to prevent Fani Willis, Fulton County district attorney, from compelling Graham to testify while the Supreme Court weighs the senator's request for a lengthier halt to the proceedings.
Willis has a deadline Thursday to tell the high court why Graham should have to answer the grand jury's questions. Lower courts have ruled that his testimony can take place.
Thomas acted on his own, as the justice who handles emergency appeals from Georgia.
Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.
